How Can Investors Apply for Permanent Residence in China?
Source: E-government Platform of Exit-Entry Administration Offices of Branches of Shanghai Public Security Bureau
Requirements for investors to apply for Permanent Residence in China:
Foreigners who meet one of the following conditions and have good tax records can apply for permanent residence in China:
- Investors who invest in China and have actually submitted a registered capital of more than 2 million U.S. dollars (shall not be lower than this standard for 3 consecutive years);
- Investors who invest in Central China and have actually submitted a registered capital of more than 1 million U.S. dollars (shall not be lower than this standard for 3 consecutive years);
- Investors who invest in China’s western regions and key national poverty alleviation and development counties, and have actually submitted a registered capital of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars (shall not be lower than this standard for 3 consecutive years);
- Investors who invest in “Foreign Investment Industry Guidance Project” encouraged by the State, and have actually submitted a registered capital of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars (shall not be lower than this standard for 3 consecutive years);
- Investors who submit direct investment in Shanghai consistently as an individual or through the company as a controlling shareholder with individual status for three consecutive years, and whose total amount of investment reaches more than 1 million U.S. dollars (or 500,000 U.S. dollars for the “Foreign Investment Guideline Project” encouraged by the State.
The foreign spouse and their unmarried children under 18 years old of the above applicants can apply for permanent residence together.
Documents required for investors to apply for Permanent Residence in China:
- Documents Required for Foreign Investors (principal applicant)：
(1) Complete Application Form for Permanent Residence in China, and provide 2 copies of two-inch recent photos and a digital version of these photos (recorded in a CD) (Read the Notice for more details).
(2) Valid passport and valid visa (or residence permit), and provide 2 copies of each.
(3) Individual income tax clearance certificate issued by taxation bureau for the past 3 consecutive years before this application, and 1 copy of this (Applicants meeting the above Term 5 shall submit the tax clearance certificate issued by the Shanghai taxation bureau).
(4) The Business License (counterpart), “Approval Certificate for Foreign-invested Enterprises” or “Return receipt for the establishment of a foreign-invested enterprise” (not required for a domestic enterprise) and annual inspection certificate of the last 3 years, and 2 copies of this.
(5) A capital verification report showing that the company’s registered capital has reached the standard and an audit report showing this for the last 3 consecutive years, and provide 2 copies of each. In the “Foreign Investment Guideline Project” issued by the state, investment in encouraged industries requires the confirmation of foreign investment projects that the country encourages to develop, or the Certificate of foreign-invested enterprise that the state encourages to develop. As a controlling shareholder of a company, it is also necessary to submit a relevant investment and controlling certificate. If the Certificate is issued abroad, it must be verified by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General.
(6) A Health check certificate which was issued by a domestic entry-exit inspection and quarantine agency (or by foreign medical institutions verified by Embassy /Consulate General of China), and provide 1 copy of this. The health certificate should be issued within the validity of the last 6 months.
(7) A Criminal Record/ Background check which shows no trace or history of any kind must be verified by the Embassy/Consulate General of China, and 1 copy should also be provided. The name on the Record Check must match that on the valid passport. In case the applicant has changed names, the former names should be noted in the Record, In case the applicant has lived in a country/region outside the passport-issuing country for successively two years or longer after he/she is 18 years old, a clear Criminal Record check from that country/region is also required. The Record(s) should be issued within the validity of the last 6 months.
2.Documents Required for Spouse：
(1) Complete Application Form for Permanent Residence in China, and provide 2 copies of two-inch recent photos and a digital version of these photos (recorded in a CD) (Read the Notice for more details).
(2) Valid passport and valid visa (or residence permit), and provide 2 copies of each.
(3) Marriage certificate, and provide 2 copies of this. If this certification was issued abroad, a verification from the Embassy/Consulate General of China is also needed, which has a validity of up to 6 months. Two copies of ID certifications used for marriage registration are also required.
(4) A Health check certificate which was issued by a domestic entry-exit inspection and quarantine agency (or by foreign medical institutions verified by Embassy /Consulate General of China), and provide 1 copy of this. The health certificate should be issued within the validity of the last 6 months.
(5) A Criminal Record/ Background check which shows no trace or history of any kind must be verified by the Embassy/Consulate General of China, and 1 copy should also be provided. The name on the Record Check must match that on the valid passport. In case the applicant has changed names, the former names should be noted in the Record, In case the applicant has lived in a country/region outside the passport-issuing country for successively two years or longer after he/she is 18 years old, a clear Criminal Record check from that country/region is also required. The Record(s) should be issued within the validity of the last 6 months.
- Documents Required for children:
(1) Complete Application Form for Permanent Residence in China, and provide 2 copies of two-inch recent photos and a digital version of these photos (recorded in a CD) (Read the Notice for more details).
(2) Valid passport and visa (or residence permit), and provide 2 copies of each.
(3) Birth Certificate (or parent-children relationship certificate, or adoption proof), and provide 2 copies of this. If the certification or proof was issued abroad, then verification by the Embassy/Consulate General of China is required.
(4) ID certificates of both parents, and provide 2 copies of each.
(5) Marriage certificate of parents and 2 copies of this (in case the parents have divorced, the principal applicant should provide valid guardianship proof, such as a court verdict, etc.). If the certification was issued abroad, then verification by the Embassy/Consulate General of China is required.
(6) Nationality identification should be processed in the first place if one/both of the parents was/were of Chinese nationality when the child was born.
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