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View Full Version : (China) New 'green card' system for foreigners' residence


SunWuKong
08-20-2004, 09:43 AM
the biggest group of people who'll benefit from this is probably overseas Chinese with non-Chinese citizenship.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FH21Ad06.html

New 'green card' system for foreigners' residence

BEIJING - In a move to further "open up" and facilitate foreign business travel, China announced on Friday it would implement an official "green card" system allowing foreigners to apply for permanent residence. Since 1985, China has granted permanent residence status to fewer than 4,000 foreigners.

The spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security Hao Chiyong announced at a press conference here that new Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Aliens in China has been approved by the State Council and are effective from August 15.

Hao said issuance of the regulations "indicates the official implementation of the 'Green Card' system in China".

"This is a significant move by the Chinese government to adapt to economic globalization, push forward reform and opening-up and the modernization of socialism still further, and normalize the regulation of examination and approval of permanent residence of aliens in China," said Hao.

According to the regulations, eligibility for permanent residence mainly applies to high-level foreign personnel who hold posts in businesses which promote China's economic, scientific and technological development or social progress, foreign citizens who make relatively large direct investment in China, foreigners who have made outstanding contributions or are of special importance to China, and foreigners who come to China to be with their families.

The regulations provide that there is no limitation on the period of stay of aliens with permanent resident status in China, and they need not obtain visas and can enter and leave the country with their valid passport and Alien Permanent Residence Permits.

The Alien Permanent Residence Permits are valid for five or ten years. Certificates with five-year validity are granted to minors, while certificates with 10-year validity are granted to adults.

Hao said the regulations are aimed at meeting China's demand for high-level foreign personnel allowing foreigners permanent residence in China and giving them more freedom in entering and leaving China.

The Chinese government has already published a series of laws and regulations on alien's entry and exit, and long-term and permanent residence in China.

Since the implementation of a law on control of the entry and exit of aliens in 1985 and the law's enforcement regulations in 1994, China has approved permanent residence for over 3,000 foreigners, said Hao.

AngryABCGirl
08-20-2004, 03:24 PM
hey, this might be useful to me someday

yoMAMA
08-20-2004, 04:56 PM
i should apply for that shit.

AliBabaIncorporated
08-20-2004, 07:26 PM
The Alien Permanent Residence Permits are valid for five or ten years.
In other news, war is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength. =)

bluemonq
08-21-2004, 11:27 AM
well, they're assuming people want to stay (as opposed to some summer trip or a short contract), only the governement wants to have the ability to kick you out. i suppose they could just revoke it whenever they want, but they want to look good and be able to find a kosher reason the withdraw it. methinks that's the thinking anyway...

ZiJing
08-23-2004, 02:03 PM
nice........this could come in handy