Job Discussion Forums

[ChinaMovieMagic]

Wondering if anyone out there:

* has a Green Card/or knows anyone who does
* has applied for the Green Card

My university tells me that because the ILTC is important...I qualify.

Comments? Suggestions?
Either PM/public...
=============================================

China issues `Green Card' to foreigners
By Jiang Zhuqing (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-08-21 00:34


Foreigners may now apply for official permanent residence in China under a system similar to the US "Green Card" scheme.

The Ministry of Public Security said "high-level foreigners or foreigners who make large direct investment" may apply for permanent residence status and if successful, live in the country indefinitely.

The issue of the Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Aliens in China indicates the official implementation of the "Green Card'' system in China, said MPS Spokesman Hao Chiyong at a news conference in Beijing on Friday.

"This is a significant move by the Chinese Government to adapt to economic globalization and 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.

The 29-article regulations include provisions on the prerequisites for non-Chinese to apply for permanent residence permits. The regulations set out which supporting documents will be required, which steps must be followed, what limits there are to authority and any cancellation of eligibility.

Foreigners considered able to meet certain requirements will be eligible to live in China indefinitely.

The regulations also specify who the new rules are aiming at.

Eligibility will apply mainly 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.

Unlike China's household registration system, which sets strict limits on the migration of farmers to cities and towns and from one place to another, the Green Card system has no limitations for non-Chinese to seek work and housing in China, said Cui Zhikun, director of the MPS' Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration.

Visas will not be necessary for entering and leaving the country as long as they hold valid passports and Alien Permanent Residence Permits, said Luo Tianguang, director of the Consul Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"What's more, foreigners with permanent residence permits in China can enjoy relevant rights as well under their obligations according to Chinese law," Luo said.

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

Hao said 22 million foreigners were reported to enter and exit China's borders last year and 230,000 foreigners were long-term visa holders.

In the first six months, the MPS' latest statistics indicated that 14.79 million foreigners came and left China.

"China is not a migration-targeted country and the new regulations are aimed at attracting high-level foreign personnel," Hao said. "There will not be many foreigners applying for the Green Cards."

He said there must be some foreigners working in China's large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou who would be eligible to apply for permanent residence permits.

Since the implementation of laws on entry and exit controls in 1985, and the law's detailed enforcement regulations in 1994, China has already approved permanent residence for more than 3,000 foreigners, said Hao.

[Roger]

We discussed this here maybe two years ago.
As the government text says, it is available to QUALIFIED foreign residents who have made OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS to China's economy or education; this is a very flexible criterion, about as flexible as a condom... So, who qualifies? What do you have to do in order to be acknowledged as someone who has "contributed" outstandingly?

On a more prosaic level - marriage to a local person is part of the entry price, or so it seems; thus I might qualify, but since I am struggling to rid myself of this burden of a "wife" I will never qualify.
And, hiterto "contributions" pragmatically meant "investments". The more the better...

But you seem to have reached that illustrious elite circle on your own... GOod luck!

[Talkdoc]

It was also explained to me that if you held an academic rank back in a foreign university and you currently work at certain approved universities in China for 5 years, you are also eligible for the D-Visa.

Doc

[bendan]

If you have been married to a Chinese citizen for five years (and resident here during that time) you would qualify (subject to a couple of other loosely-defined requirements), otherwise it depends on your position at the college. If your college say you're qualified, it's worth a try, though I wouldn't hold my breath. Nobody has posted anything about the new permanent residency cards (which is not the same as a D visa) yet, so I doubt it's easy to get.

[Roger]

Further clarification obtained by chance from my FAO: greencards can be applied for by teachers working in establishments AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL EDUCATION BUREAU.
I don't qualify since my university is not among the only two in Guangdong that do have that affiliation.