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Residency In China

FAQ: Is it possible to get permanent residency in china?  Fortunately, China is much easier to get residency in than Japan. It is important to realize that you need two separate forms in order to live in China: a residency visa and a residency permit. Let's take a look at these two in more detail:

Residency visa

First, you need to get a residency visa in order to enter China. These visas come in a variety of flavors.

Z residency visa: this is for those seeking employment in China. In order to get this you must submit a work permit, as well as a letter of invitation from your employer. Unfortunately, this means you must have a job offer before entering China. If you do have employment, it will be much easier to get permanent residency in China.

D residency visa: the hardest to get, but the best by far. Ideal for people who have very close Chinese relatives, and/or have previously resided in China.

You can also apply for J-1 visas, but they don't really help much for permanent residency (these are reserved mostly for journalists).

Residency permits.

Now that you have successfully completed your visa application and have entered into China, it's time to apply for a residency permit. Keep in mind you only have 30 days to do so. There are three types of residency permits in China:

Permanent residency: this is renewable every ten years, but unfortunately only works with the elusive D visa.

Foreign Residence Permit: these are renewed every year, and can be used in conjunction with a Z residency visa.

Temporary Residence: this is granted to students or employees who are in the country more than six months but less than one year. Can be used in conjunction with any work visa.

As you can see, it is possible to get permanent residency in China; just remember you only have thirty days in China before you are no longer able to apply for a residency permit.

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