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Residence & citizenship

Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card

China's permanent-residence status and identity card for approved foreign nationals, sometimes called the Chinese green card.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
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Under review — check current rules

Application fees (reported as CNY 1,500 plus CNY 300 card production) and the precise numeric thresholds for each eligibility route should be re-confirmed on the current official NIA page before publishing.

Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official China government website before you apply.
On this page
Official name
Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People's Republic of China
Route type
Permanent residence status and identity card
Card validity
10 years (applicants aged 18 and over); 5 years (under 18)
Per NIA
New card in use from
1 December 2023
Per NIA; earlier cards valid until expiry
Decision timeline
Up to 6 months from acceptance of the application
Per the NIA permanent-residence eligibility page
Travel benefit
Holders are exempt from filling in Arrival Cards when travelling to China
Per NIA

Who it is for

  • Direct, stable investors in China with a qualifying tax record
  • Senior professionals / associate-senior-title holders meeting the residence and tax conditions
  • Foreign nationals who have made significant and outstanding contributions and are especially needed by China
  • Spouses of Chinese citizens or permanent residents, and dependent children under 18
  • Qualifying elderly relatives (aged 60+) with no relatives abroad who meet the residence and support conditions

Requirements

  • Meeting one of the defined permanent-residence eligibility pathways
  • Continuous residence and, for several routes, a good tax-payment record over the required period
  • Evidence of stable income and secure housing for the family-based routes

What you can do

  • Reside permanently in China without a residence permit
  • Use the card alone as a personal identity document
  • Travel to China without completing an Arrival Card

How to apply

  • Confirm which eligibility pathway you meet
  • Submit the permanent-residence application to the competent authority
  • On approval, enter on a D visa (if abroad) and collect the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.

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