Permanent Residence for Foreign Investors (Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card)

Year establishedPublished

2004

Governing lawPublished

Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Aliens' Permanent Residence in China (MPS/MFA Decree No. 74, 15 Aug 2004)

Responsible authorityPublished

National Immigration Administration (applications via municipal public security exit-entry bureaus)

What the program providesPublished

Secure a Chinese green card by keeping a qualifying direct investment in China running for three years

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Minimum ageUnknown

Unknown

Clean criminal record requiredPublished

Yes

Local health insurance requiredUnknown

Unknown

Nationality restrictionsPublished

No

Basic eligibilityPublished

Direct investment in China with stable operation and a good tax record for three consecutive years: at least USD 500,000 in encouraged industries or in western regions / national poverty-relief counties, USD 1 million in central China, or USD 2 million elsewhere

Generational limitPublished

Not applicable

Family sponsorshipPublished

Yes

Spouse includedPublished

Yes

Children includedPublished

Yes

Child age limitPublished

18 years

ChildrenPublished

Spouse and unmarried children under 18 of a qualifying applicant may apply

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Processing timePublished

Up to 26.07 weeks

Can apply without travelingPublished

Yes

How you applyPublished

Filed with the municipal public security bureau exit-entry office in China, in person or through a representative with notarized power of attorney

Required in-person stepPublished

Health certificate from a Chinese-designated quarantine agency; collection of the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card

What the processing time measuresPublished

Legal maximum: decision within 6 months of the application being accepted (Measures Art. 18; NIA service guide)

Official application routePublished

https://www.cj.gov.cn/c/gaj/hjgl/280747.jhtml

Minimum investmentPublished

$500,000

Minimum passive investment (July 2026)Published

None required

Minimum active investment (July 2026)Published

$500,000

Processing feePublished

$42

Application feePublished

$210

Total cost to applyPublished

$252

Monthly income requiredPublished

None required

Monthly pension income requiredPublished

None required

Monthly rental income requiredPublished

None required

Savings requiredPublished

None required

Proof of sufficient fundsUnknown

Unknown

Local bank deposit requiredPublished

No

Minimum local bank depositPublished

None required

Minimum investment as published (Sept 2026)Published

USD 500,000 direct investment (encouraged industries, western regions or national poverty-relief counties)

Other investment routes (Sept 2026)Published

USD 1 million in central China; USD 2 million in other regions. All routes need three consecutive years of stable operation and good tax payment.

Fees paidPublished

Before approval

Cost notesPublished

Application fee CNY 1,500 (paid on filing); card fee CNY 300 (on approval); renewal CNY 300; replacement CNY 600. Converted at about USD 0.14 per CNY.

Stay required to keep statusPublished

90 days/year

Physical presence requiredPublished

Yes

In-country visit requiredPublished

Yes

Move-in windowPublished

0 months

Length of residencyUnknown

Unknown

Residency is lifetimePublished

Yes

RenewablePublished

Yes

Maximum durationUnknown

Unknown

Maximum duration is lifetimePublished

Yes

Stay rule (Sept 2026)Published

Status can be cancelled if, without approval, the holder actually lives in China less than 3 months in total a year or less than 1 year in total over 5 years

Tax residency rulePublished

Residents domiciled in China, or staying 183 days or more per year, will be considered tax residents

Personal income taxPublished

range between 3%-45%

Time to permanent residencyPublished

Immediate

Time to citizenshipUnknown

Unknown

Work for a local employerPublished

Yes

Start a businessPublished

Yes

Remote or freelance workUnknown

Unknown

Local healthcare accessPublished

Yes

University accessPublished

Yes

Can buy landPublished

No

Local bankingUnknown

Unknown

Permanent residence timeline basisPublished

Immediate upon approval

Investment note (Sept 2026)Published

Rules date from 2004. A 2020 draft rewrite of the permanent residence regulations was published for comment; its adoption was not confirmed in this research.

Plan B note (Sept 2026)Published

Investment must already have run for 3 consecutive years with a good tax record before applying (so the investor usually lives in China on a work/residence permit first). ID card valid 10 years (5 years under 18) and renewable. Land cannot be owned privately in China; PR holders may buy a home for own use.

Official program websitePublished

https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155972/content.html

Investment source (Sept 2026)Published

http://www.sjz.gov.cn/english/columns/43c48932-5607-46ef-877f-b2099c922801/201706/09/b3a69683-57ba-4d87-9d8d-00c7587c9b54.html

Plan B sources (Sept 2026)Published

http://www.sjz.gov.cn/english/columns/43c48932-5607-46ef-877f-b2099c922801/201706/09/b3a69683-57ba-4d87-9d8d-00c7587c9b54.html | https://www.cj.gov.cn/c/gaj/hjgl/280747.jhtml | https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/lawsandpolicies/202007/t20200709_1943827.html

Every fact on this page comes from the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database (Sep 21, 2026 edition). A blank is shown as Unknown.