China permanent residence (green card)

All applicants must obey Chinese law, be in good health and have no criminal record. The Shanghai government's official guide describes these routes, among others: investors whose registered capital actually paid in exceeds USD 2 million (USD 1 million in central China, USD 500,000 in western regions, poverty-alleviation counties or encouraged projects) for three consecutive years with good tax records; employees who have worked continuously for four years, lived in China at least six months a year, earned at least six times the local average urban wage and paid income tax of at least 20 percent of salary; senior staff and holders of doctorates working in key sectors; and high-level talents recommended by the authorities.

Typical files include the application form with photos, passport and visa or residence permit, a health certificate issued within six months by a Chinese inspection and quarantine agency or a verified foreign institution, a criminal record check from your home country, and route-specific evidence such as tax clearance certificates for three years, company licences and audit reports, employment and salary records or a marriage certificate. Documents issued abroad must be legalised or apostilled.

Permanent residents can live, work and travel in and out of China on their passport and ID card. Under Article 49 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, the Ministry of Public Security cancels permanent residence if the holder endangers China's national security or interests, is deported, obtained the status by fraud or does not reside in China for the prescribed minimum period.

Spouses of Chinese citizens or foreign permanent residents qualify after five years of marriage and five consecutive years of residence in China with at least nine months each year, provided they have stable means and housing; a notarised domestic deposit of at least RMB 200,000 or a pension is accepted as proof of means in Shanghai. Unmarried children under 18 joining their parents, and elderly dependants joining relatives in China, have their own routes. The spouse and minor children of an investor or employee applicant can apply together with them.