In June 2014, state media reported that the Chinese government wasconsidering relaxing its policy on issuing China “Green Cards” to foreigners toallow more people to qualify for permanent residence on the Chinese mainland.In practice it’s still difficult indeed to get.

GENERAL IDEA OF D VISA

The D visa (or “China GreenCard”) is issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. Green card holders are supposed to enjoy the same benefits as Chinese citizens, from employment and investment to housing, social insurance, and even education for their children.

In particular, China’s State Administration of Foreign Experts has said it plans to let more “R” visa holders – the visa category covering those with skills “urgently needed” in China – gain permanent residency.

VALIDITY

This visa is valid for the lifetime

Remember that ‘validity’ just means how long you have to attempt to enter China on that visa from the day it is supplied, not how long youcan actually spend in the country.

VISA EXTENTION

If you succeed in your application, you will be granted a Chinese’s green card.

WORKING PERMISSION

Yes, you can work in Mainland China with this visa.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

According to official regulations, applicants for a D visa must meet fall into one of the following categories:

Investors

To classify as a vendor, you must have:

• Made a direct investment inChina with stable operations for three successive years.

and

• Invested at least $500,000 in China in total registered capital.

and

• A good tax record.

Professionals

Must have:

• Worked as a deputy general manager, deputy factory director or above, or of associate professor, associate research fellow and other associate senior titles of professional post or above or enjoying an equal treatment.

and

• Worked for at least four successive years, with a minimum period of residence in China for three cumulative years within the four years.

and

• Have a good tax record.

“Outstanding” contributors

• Having made an “outstanding and necessary contribution” to China.

Family

• An unmarried minor under 18 born to a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with permanent residence status in China.

or

• Married to a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with permanent residence status in China for at least five years,with at least five successive years of residence in China and at least nine months of residence in China each year, and having stable source of subsistence and place of residence.

or

• A person above 60 years old that has no immediate relatives abroad and seeks to remain with an “immediate relative” in China, and has stayed in China for at least five successive years with at least nine-month residence in China each year, and hasstable source of subsistence and place of residence. Immediate relatives include parents (spouse’s parents), grandparents, children at least 18 years old and their spouse(s), and grandchildren at least 18 years old and their spouse(s).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The documents required for a D visa are more than any other types of visa. You need to pay attention depending on which route you are taking. The following documents are required by all applicants:

1. A valid passport that is valid for at least six more months.

2. A health certificate issued by either a Chinese hospital approved by the government, or a foreign health and medical organization recognized by a local Chinese embassy or consulate.

3. Proof of no criminal record abroad recognized by Chinese embassies or consulate offices.

4. Four color, two-inch pictures taken recently in China and fitting passport regulations, including a barehead.

The Additional Documents:

Investors

1. Certificates of approval for foreign-funded enterprises.

2. Certificate of registration.

3. Proof of combined annual inspection.

4. Report of asset valuation.

5. Proof of personal tax payment.

6. In the case of those foreign-funded enterprises in sectors that are encouraged by the government, a letter of confirmation for the relevant foreign-invested projects should also be provided.

Professionals

1. Your alien employment certificate/booklet or certificate of foreign expertise.

2. Registration certificate,annual inspection proof and personal tax payment proof of the units where they work.

3. One of the below documents,depending on the nature of the company you are working for:

“Outstanding” contributors

1. A letter of recommendation and related proof issued by the relevant authority of the Chinese government.

Family (marriage)

1. Original copies of spouse’s hukou booklet and ID card.

2. Original marriage certificate(need to be notarized; if issued outside China, needs to be authenticated by a Chinese embassy/consulate).

3. Tax-paid proof for the past five years when holding residence permits.

4. Apartment ownership certificate or rental contract, subject to notarization.

5. Certification of deposit to support your life in China for the following years.

6. Other documents may be requested by individual authorities.

WHERE TO APPLY

If you meet the requirements outlined above, you can apply at your nearest Public Security Bureau (not to be confused with a mere police station).Here are the addresses for China’s four first-tier cities.

You should submit an application at a city-level Public Security Bureau (PSB) or at the county-level branch of the PSB.

Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (北京市公安局)

Address: 9 Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing

东城区前门东大街9号北京市公安局

Contact: 010-8522-5050, http://eng.bjgaj.gov.cn/

Working Hours: Mon-Sat, 9 am-5 pm

Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau (广州市公安局)

Address: 200 Qiyi Lu, Yuexiu district, Guangzhou, GuangdongProvince

广东省广州市越秀区起义路200号广州市公安局

Contact: 020-8311-6688 , www.gzjd.gov.cn/index.html

Working Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-5:30 pm; Sat, 8:30 am-12 noon

Shanghai Public Security Bureau (上海市公安局)

Address: 185 Fuzhou Lu, Huangpu district, Shanghai

上海市黄浦区福州路185号上海市公安局

Contact: 021-6231-0110 , www.police.sh.cn/shga/gweb/

Working Hours: Mon-Sat, 9 am-5 pm

Shenzhen Public Security Bureau (深圳市公安局)

Address: 4018 Jiefang Lu, Luohu district, Shenzhen, GuangdongProvince

广东省深圳市罗湖区解放路4018号深圳市公安局

Contact: 0755-8446-3999, www.szga.gov.cn

Working Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-12 noon; 2pm-6pm; Sat, 9am-11am,3pm-4:30pm

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