New Version of Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to be Issued in China Starting December 1, 2023

The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card is an official identification document issued to eligible foreigners who have been granted permanent residency within China. This card serves as a valid means of personal identification and can be utilized independently.

Cardholders can present this document as a legitimate credential for a variety of purposes, including accommodation registration and purchasing tickets for various modes of transportation such as cars, boats, and planes, without the need to present their foreign passports. This not only simplifies their administrative procedures but also enhances their overall experience as residents in China.

What are the benefits for foreigners with Chinese permanent residence status?

Foreigners with Chinese permanent residence status will be entitled to the following treatments:

• Permanent residency: staying in China without any time limit;
• Visa Free: entering or exiting China by presenting their valid passport and permanent residence ID card, without going through visa formalities;
• Work permits and residence permits are not required;
• Priorities in applying for Foreign Expert Certificate, Certificate for Expert Returning to (Visiting) China, and other talent-related certificates for employment and residence;
• Being able to apply for professional title assessment and take part in professional title exams according to the relevant regulations;
• Convenience in doing business, including the simplified procedures for examination and approval by the government departments, when investing in a project or setting up an FIE in China;
• Children’s education: being entitled to have their children receive compulsory education free of charge other than those specified by the State;
• Social insurance:
  • Being entitled to participate in social insurance when working in China and enjoying social insurance benefits
  • Being entitled to participate in social insurance when living but not working in China if they’re eligible for the relevant policies of the locality
  • Enjoying simplified procedures when going through the formalities of transfer, continuation, or termination of the social insurance relationship
• Housing provident fund:
  • Being entitled to contribute to and use housing provident funds
  • Being entitled to withdraw and transfer the funds as per relevant regulations when leaving the locality
• Property purchase: purchasing commercial housing for personal use or lodging within the territory of China according to the relevant regulations
• Banking, insurance, securities, futures, and other financial service: enjoying the same rights, obligations, and statistical attribution as Chinese citizens with regard to banking, insurance, securities, futures, and other financial services in China by the presenting PR ID card
• Foreign exchange service: Being entitled to have the China-sourced income exchanged into foreign currency and remitted outbound after completing the tax liability and receiving a certificate of tax payment issued by the taxation department;
• Transportation:
  • Taking flights, buying railway tickets, and checking in at hotels within China by presenting the permanent residence ID card
  • Receiving the same treatment as Chinese citizens in applying for a driver’s license
• Consumer activities: receiving the same treatment and paying the same price as Chinese citizens when shopping, purchasing tickets to parks and other cultural and sports venues, and conducting cultural, entertainment, and business trips