Everything you need to know about China's permanent residence permit — eligibility pathways, step-by-step application process, required documents, realistic timelines, and costs. Written by the only immigration consultancy focused 100% on Western expats relocating to China.
The "China green card" is the popular name for the Permanent Residence Permit for Aliens — officially known since 2020 as the "Five-Star Card" (五星卡). It is the highest level of residency China grants to foreigners short of citizenship.
Unlike a work visa or a temporary residence permit, the China green card does not expire annually. Adults receive a card valid for 10 years; minors receive one valid for 5 years. Once granted, it functions as your primary ID in China — eliminating the need for annual visa renewal and granting you most of the same everyday rights as Chinese citizens.
The card is issued by the provincial Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit-Entry Administration. It is different from:
China's permanent residence rules are strict and specific. There are four main pathways, each with concrete income, tenure, and background requirements. Every applicant must also have clean criminal records and be in good health.
For salaried employees in China who meet strict income and tax thresholds.
China waives income benchmarks for recognized high-level talent and urgently needed specialists.
Marriage to a Chinese national is one of the most common green card routes for Western expats.
Entrepreneurs who have made substantial, sustained investments in Chinese businesses.
Our consultants review your specific background — employment, marital status, financial position — and identify the strongest route available to you.
The china green card benefits go far beyond avoiding annual visa runs. Here is what permanent residence status actually unlocks for you day to day.
Stop the yearly bureaucratic treadmill. Your card is valid for a decade — adults get 10 years, minors 5 years — and is renewable.
Leave and re-enter China freely without obtaining new visas or worrying about visa expiry dates during long trips abroad.
Buy train and plane tickets, check into hotels, open bank accounts, access apps and platforms — all using your green card as ID, just like locals.
Green card holders can work for any employer, change jobs, or run their own business without needing a tied work permit.
Green card holders can purchase residential property and make investments in China under the same rules as Chinese citizens in their city.
Enroll children in local schools and access China's public healthcare system — the same world-class facilities at a fraction of Western costs.
Use the faster domestic citizen immigration lane at Chinese airports — a small but genuinely appreciated quality-of-life upgrade.
Green card holders are covered by Chinese labour law in full — the same protections and entitlements as local workers in their city.
Many long-term residents stay on annual temporary residence permits for years out of habit or uncertainty. Here is a direct comparison to help you decide.
| Factor | China Green Card | Work Visa / Temp Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 years (renewable) | 1 year, must renew annually |
| Employer tie | None — work anywhere | Tied to sponsoring employer |
| Entry & exit | Unlimited, visa-free | Requires valid permit on return |
| Property purchase | Yes, same as citizens | Restricted — must own for 1 yr first |
| ID functionality | Full Chinese ID equivalent | Passport required for most tasks |
| Healthcare access | Full public system access | Varies by employer & city |
| Job change | No permit change needed | Full re-application required |
| Annual bureaucracy | None for 10 years | Annual renewal (time + cost) |
| Government fees | ~¥1,800 once per 10 years | ~¥400–800/year, every year |
* Work visa costs and restrictions vary by city, employer, and sector. Figures are indicative for Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Applications are submitted to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau (PSB) in the district where you live or work. Requirements differ slightly by city — Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing each have local variations. Here is the universal process.
Identify which eligibility category applies to you (professional, spouse, investor, talent). Your pathway determines which documents you need and which PSB office handles your case. Mixing documents from multiple categories does not strengthen an application.
Most expats miss this — choosing the wrong pathway causes rejection on technicality.Book an appointment at an approved International Travel Healthcare Center. You will be tested for infectious diseases, chest X-ray, and general health markers. The certificate is only valid for a short period, so time this carefully relative to your application.
Get an apostilled criminal record check from your home country (US, UK, Australia, EU). Since China joined the international apostille agreement, a local apostille is sufficient — no additional notarization is required. Have it officially translated by a certified translation office.
Processing from the US FBI can take 6–10 weeks. Start this first.Depending on your pathway: gather salary slips and tax records (professional track), a Fixed-Term Deposit Certificate of 200,000 RMB notarized by a Public Notary Office (spouse track), or investment certificates and company financial statements (investor track). Proof of marriage must be notarized and, if issued abroad, less than 6 months old.
You must demonstrate your physical presence in China for the required consecutive years. Prepare stamped passport copies covering the full period, plus a current rental contract with at least 6 months remaining or property ownership documents.
Not universally required, but some PSB offices (especially outside tier-1 cities) request a multi-page personal statement explaining your background, reasons for applying, and ties to China. Always prepare this — better to have it ready than scramble after submission.
Submit all documents in person at the Exit-Entry Administration office in your district. Walk-in submissions are not accepted — book an appointment in advance. Expect to be asked for additional supplementary documents on the day. Pay the application fee of 1,500 RMB at submission.
Bring originals and photocopies of everything, plus extra passport photos.The PSB has up to 6 months to decide on applications, though in practice it varies by city and pathway. The decision is made by a separate authority from the one that receives applications. You may be contacted for additional information during this period.
If approved, return to the PSB to collect your Permanent Residence Permit. Pay the card issuance fee of 300 RMB. Your green card is now valid and active.
We handle the full application process on your behalf — from document checklist to PSB submission — so your application is filed correctly the first time.
This is the most common cause of rejection and delay. Missing or improperly authenticated documents will stall your application. The exact list varies by pathway and city — below covers the universal requirements and the most common pathway-specific additions.
Original plus copies of all pages. Must have sufficient validity remaining.
Your existing valid Chinese visa or temporary residence permit.
From an approved International Travel Healthcare Center. Only valid for a limited period.
Apostilled and officially translated. FBI for Americans; DBS/ACRO for UK nationals.
Rental contract with at least 6 months remaining, or property ownership title.
Multiple recent photos to Chinese government specifications. Bring extras.
Current contract with your Chinese employer, meeting the salary threshold.
Annual personal income tax records for the prior 4 years, meeting the minimum tax-paid threshold.
Your foreign expert certificate or work permit from the relevant authority.
Copies of all pages showing 4 years of 6-months-per-year physical presence.
If married in China or Hong Kong: straightforward. If abroad: notarized copy less than 6 months old.
Household registration book and national ID card of your Chinese spouse.
200,000 RMB Fixed-Term Deposit Certificate, notarized at a Public Notary Office. Takes 4–5 working days.
Multi-page statement on your background and reasons for applying. Required by some PSB offices.
Understanding the timeline helps you avoid letting your existing permit expire mid-application. Plan your year around these milestones.
Criminal record checks, health check, notarizations, translations. FBI background checks can take 6–10 weeks alone.
Book appointment, submit full package in person, pay application fee. Expect to return with supplemental documents.
Professional track: typically 4–6 months. Spouse track: typically 9–12 months. No guarantee of timeline.
Return to PSB, pay 300 RMB card issuance fee, collect your 10-year Permanent Residence Permit.
Paid at PSB submission. Non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Paid on collection once the application is approved.
After 10 years, renewal is processed at 300 RMB.
If your card is lost or damaged, replacement costs 600 RMB.
The China permanent residence card is not citizenship. Understanding its limits prevents legal surprises and helps you plan your life correctly.
Green card holders cannot vote, run for election, or hold public office in China.
You cannot serve in the Chinese military, nor are you subject to military obligations.
You must not be absent from China for more than 12 consecutive months or your permit may be cancelled.
Green card holders are fully subject to Chinese law and regulations, including exit ban provisions if involved in legal proceedings.
China does not offer general naturalisation to foreigners. The green card is the endpoint of the residency system, not a citizenship stepping stone.
Certain government and sensitive-sector roles remain restricted for non-citizens even with a green card.
The permit can be revoked for criminal activity, extended absence, or if the original qualifying conditions (e.g. marriage) cease to apply.
Holding a green card may affect your tax residency status in both China and your home country. Consult a cross-border tax advisor.
The answer depends on your long-term plans, your current pathway eligibility, and how much the annual renewal hassle costs you in time and disruption. Here is a practical framework.
Direct answers to the questions we hear most from American, British, and Australian expats considering the Chinese green card application.
Based in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, we provide on-the-ground support through every stage — from eligibility assessment to permanent residency approval and post-arrival settlement. Most of our competitors serve corporate clients. We work exclusively with individuals and families relocating from the US, UK, EU, and Australia.