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11 Common Reasons for Chinese Green Card Application Rejection

Applying for Chinese Permanent Residency (often referred to as the “Chinese Green Card”) involves different categories, each with specific requirements. Here, we explore frequent rejection reasons across Marriage, Employment, and PhD categories to help applicants understand potential pitfalls.

1 Marriage-based Permanent Residency Application

1. Lack of Authentication for Marriage Certificate:

Applicants married outside China must ensure their foreign marriage certificates are notarized and then authenticated for use in China. Failure to complete this step can result in application rejection.

2. Insufficient Residence Time in China:

The Chinese spouse must reside in China for at least nine months each year, continuously for five years. Many applicants miscalculate their residence time, and after official entry-exit reviews, some applicants fall short, leading to rejection.

3. Insufficient Financial Stability and Housing Proof:

Applicants typically need to provide a bank statement with a frozen deposit amount and proof of housing (either a property certificate or rental agreement) to demonstrate a secure livelihood in China. Common oversights include inadequate freeze duration, incorrect bank accounts, or issues with property ownership documentation.

4. Household Registration (Hukou) Complications:

Applications are generally required to be submitted in the Chinese spouse’s place of household registration. If the spouse has a Shanghai residence permit, the application may be processed in Shanghai. Additionally, former Chinese nationals must provide proof of deregistration from their original Chinese household registration.

2 Employment-Based Permanent Residency Application

1. Insufficient Continuous Employment in China for Four Years:

Applicants must work continuously in China for four years, with a maximum of a two-month gap allowed when switching jobs. Missing this requirement, such as a three-month gap, can result in immediate rejection, regardless of other fulfilled criteria.

2. Inadequate Salary or Tax Payment Compliance:

Employment-based applicants need to meet specific annual income and tax standards. Falling short on these metrics is a common rejection reason.

3. Interrupted Residence Due to Insufficient Time in China:For example, pandemic-related absences that reduce the time spent in China to below six months may disrupt the continuity of residency required for the application.

3 PhD-Based Permanent Residency Application

1. Education Credential Verification Issues:

PhD degrees must be recognized by Chinese educational authorities. For overseas degrees, applicants need a “Foreign Academic Degree Certification” from the China Ministry of Education’s Service Center for Scholarly Exchange. Degrees obtained through online programs require specific certification to be valid in China.

2. Valid Work Residence Permit:

Foreign PhD holders applying for residency need to hold a valid work residence permit along with an active Foreign Work Permit.

3. Record of Unlawful Employment or Overstay:

Applicants with a history of unauthorized employment, illegal residence, or administrative penalties may face challenges in obtaining residency.

4. Name Discrepancy Issues:

If the PhD was pursued under a Chinese identity, but the name on the degree differs from the applicant’s current foreign passport name, proof of identity consistency is required.

The certification process for doctoral degrees obtained in China differs from those obtained abroad. If you want to know whether your university is eligible for certification, you can contact Maggie.

The application process for Chinese Permanent Residency is stringent, with high standards for documentation and attention to detail. A slight oversight can hinder an application. As policies tighten, the number of spousal permanent residency slots may decrease, requirements for PhD applicants may increase, and employment-based applicants may face stricter salary and tax benchmarks.

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