Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 3:20 pm Post subject: Re: Permanent residency in 'Nam |
 |
|
| elliot_spencer wrote: |
| Hi guys, I am currently living in China and I was wondering what countires in Asia it's possible to get permanent residency without marrying a local. I am interested in finding out about Vietnam |
I am not sure about Vietnam, but I believe you are working on old data for those other countries. China and Korea have both recently revamped their PR systems so they are much more open (especially Korea, whose PR system was in the stone age just three years ago).
| Quote: |
| I know here in China it's impossible to get permanent residency unless you marry a local or invest A LOT of money that as a TEFL teacher would be impossible. |
Not quite true...
Each Chinese region/city draws up its own PR regulations (they are not federal). At present, I know of three places that can be considered "China" that offer PR options. Shanghai now offers seven-year PR and Hong Kong also has seven-year PR. I'm not sure whether you consider Taiwan part of China or not (under Ma Ying-Jeou it has basically become such), but it has five-year PR. There you go, three different routes to PR in China without marrying or being rich.
| Quote: |
| I hear in Korea after 7 years you can apply for permanent residency. |
No, not quite...
Until recently, PR is Korea was impossible except for the ethnic Koreans, the married, and the heinously rich. HOWEVER, this began to change around 2008 and the change greatly accelerated this year. At least on the surface, Korea now appears to have a fully modern immigration system (including a highly skilled immigrants points system-based F-2-7). Now whether they're actually giving those visas to qualifying foreigners is another issue entirely (we're still looking into that).
Recently, Korea vastly expanded the number of ways you can get an F-2 visa. After a certain number of years (usually two or three), all F-2 visas can lead to F-5 (PR). Here are some of the ways you can get an F-2:
1. Marry a Korean (obvious)
2. Be a refugee
3. Work in Korea for five years (and be "skilled") at the end of those five years -- please note that an F-5 is also possible at this point, but the F-2 is a fall-back in case you failed to make double the wage of the average Korean
4. Get 80 points on their "points system" for the F-2-7 (extremely difficult, you'd practically need a master's degree and fluent Korean and be under age 35 as a minimum)
The F-5 is also possible directly if you live in Korea for five continuous years and can somehow manage to make DOUBLE the salary of a Korean (not realistically possible for most TEFLers, honestly).
| Quote: |
How about where you are?
Thanks |
I'm not really sure about Vietnam, but just wanted to let you know that actually both China and Korea have PR systems now.
I hope someone can answer your question.
By the way, I'll throw in the PR systems in place in other Asian countries for reference:
Japan: A "guideline" of 10 years of continuous residency and a bunch of paperwork OR five years if married to a citizen. These are all just guidelines and some people take longer, others (especially with J children) get it in a shorter time. HOWEVER, Japan has declared that it will revamp its immigration system to have "only" a five-year wait to PR for skilled professionals. Not sure when this will happen -- we've been waiting for about a year already.
Thailand: They offer a "retirement visa" that allows you to live there indefinitely provided you have certain financial resources and are at a certain age. Not exactly sure where they set the threshold, though.
And if you're thinking of immigrating to East Asia, you might also look at Vladivostok, Russia -- practically walking distance away from Jilin, China and Hamgyeong, North Korea, as well as being fairly close to Hokkaido, Japan. From my preliminary research, it seems like Russian PR is a cinch compared to PR in most East Asian countries, but I could be wrong. I haven't researched it very much. |
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
