China's Permanent Residence Permit (Investment Category), commonly known as the "Chinese Green Card," allows foreign nationals who have made substantial direct investments in China to obtain permanent residence. Established under the Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Foreigners' Permanent Residence in China (2003, effective 2004), the program targets investors and entrepreneurs who have invested in Chinese enterprises, maintained stable investment for three consecutive years, and demonstrate good tax compliance. China's permanent residence system is one of the most selective in the world, but the number of permits issued has grown in recent years. Unlike passive "golden visa" schemes elsewhere, this is not a real-estate or bond program — it requires active business investment as registered capital in a Chinese enterprise.
Investment must be in the form of registered capital in a Chinese enterprise. Portfolio investments, real estate purchases, or government bond holdings do not qualify.
The qualifying threshold is tiered by where the investment is located:
The investment must be maintained at or above the applicable threshold for the entire three-year period. If the registered capital drops below the minimum in any of the three years, the applicant does not qualify. Investments in state-encouraged industries require a confirmation letter from provincial or national authorities identifying the enterprise as an encouraged-category foreign-invested project.
Permanent residence status carries no time limit on the right to reside and work in China. The physical Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card is valid for 10 years for adults (18+) and 5 years for minors. Card renewal must be applied for at least 30 days before expiry at the local public security bureau exit-entry division. Renewal costs CNY 300; replacement for loss or damage costs CNY 600.
Permanent residence holders must reside in China for a minimum of 3 months per year, or alternatively at least 1 cumulative year within any 5-year period. Failure to meet minimum residence requirements is grounds for revocation.
The qualifying investor's spouse and unmarried children under 18 may apply for permanent residence simultaneously. Each dependant must independently satisfy requirements for lawful conduct, good health, and no criminal record. Spouses must provide notarized and authenticated marriage certificates; children must provide birth certificates. Dependant applications are processed together with the principal applicant's application.
Permanent residents who reside in China for 183 or more days in a tax year are treated as tax residents and are subject to individual income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates of 3%–45%. The "six-year rule" may exempt non-domiciled residents from worldwide taxation if they have not resided in China for six consecutive years of 183+ days each.
Applications are submitted in person (or through an authorized representative with notarized power of attorney) at the exit-entry administration division of the municipal-level public security bureau where the primary investment is located or where the applicant maintains long-term residence.
The review process has three stages:
The entire process must be completed within 6 months of application acceptance (Shanghai reports approximately 90 working days after all documents are submitted). Application fees: CNY 1,500 processing fee + CNY 300 card issuance fee per person.
Foreign nationals outside China who receive approval are issued a D visa for initial entry, upon which they collect their permanent residence card from the issuing authority. Holders enter and exit China using their passport together with the permanent residence card.