Job Discussion Forums

[GeminiTiger]

I'm curious about the green card. Is this a olive branch only extended to the rich elite or is it possible for a lowly English teacher to obtain? Would it help if I was married? I've have continuous residence-permits for the purpose of teaching in China for seven years and I'm engaged to a local.

Below, is what information I could find out but I'm not quite sure, maybe I meet points I and IV. Does anyone have experience with this?

You Should Submit: (a) Valid Passport or equivalent; (b) Health certificate issued at state level; (c) Credentials proving no criminal record by China embassies or consulates; (d) Two passport photos, no hat; (e) Other relevant credentials if required.

Fees: The fee for the new green card certificate is 300 yuan or about US$36. The cost of getting a new card is 1500 yuan or about US$180.

Time: The agency is open from Monday to Saturday, 8:30 to 12:00 in the morning, 13:00 to 17:00 in the afternoon.

In order to qualify for Green Card holder status, you must fulfill at least one of the following criteria:

I. Be a high-level foreign expert holding a post which promotes China's economic, scientific and technological development, or social progress.

II. Have made outstanding contributions of special importance to China

III. Have made a large direct investment of over US$ 500,000 in China

IV. Have come to China to be with your family, such as spouse, dependent minors or senior citizens.

To apply for the certificate:

I. Submit an application to a city-level Public Security Bureau or at the county-level branch of the Public Security Bureau directly responsible for the community of the applicant's major investment or long-term residence.

II. Provide the specified application documents.

III. The public security body shall investigate and verify the conditions of the
applicant according to the specified pre-requisites.

IV. The local department will submit the application to the Ministry of Public Security for examination and approval.

V. The ministry shall decide whether to approve or reject the application for permanent residence permit within 6 months of receiving the application.

VI. Upon the approval of the Ministry of Public Security, the applicant will be granted a Foreigner Permanent Residency Permit by the Ministry of Public Security.

A Chinese green card is not equivalent to Chinese nationality. Presently China does not recognize dual or multiple nationalities. Thus, if one wants to become a Chinese national, original nationality status would have to be cancelled.

Those who obtain a Chinese green card should not stay in China less than three months in a year or less than a year in five years. Special causes will need approval from city level public security bureaus.

Expats with a Chinese green card will still need to observe rules concerning traveling, temporary living in other cities, and visiting areas closed to the public.

For further information or for a free copy of the "Chinese Green Card Guide," call Xiang Yang at the Beijing Zhongfu Law Firm at 6329-3541.

Location: Beijing Commercial Guild Hall, Bldg 1 Yulinli, You'anmenwai

source: http://www.china.org.cn/english/LivinginChina/184128.htm

[johntpartee]

To the best of my knowledge, marital status would not help. I know several married foreigners who have been extending their tourist visas for years to remain here (there are some special provisions for a married "tourist", but for all practical purposes it's still a tourist visa). I have also HEARD that permanent alien residency is almost unheard of except for the "rich elite".

[scholar]

You have to be married five years. You're just starting.

[therock]

[Miles Smiles]

I know someone who has been married to a Chinese woman for six years, and he intends to retire from teaching. The PSB will give him only an "L" visa.

[johntpartee]

I believe the bottom line is that China doesn't need any more people unless they have something to contribute. Hence, the rich elite.

[Ariadne]

Ask Whiner, I think he has one and I'm pretty sure he's not fabulously rich. He is married to a Chinese woman and has been for some years.

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[wangdaning]

From what I think I have gathered, it depends on the other parties locale. Getting a D visa while living in Beijing might stink, but what about other places. I am also curious on this topic.

By living in Beijing I meant having a spouse from Beijing. Hukou location seems to be important on this one.

[therock]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]