Entry-exit and stay

Circumstances where the visa, stay permit or residence permit shall be declared null and void by the issuing authority

In one of the following circumstances, the visa, stay permit or residence permit held by a foreigner shall be declared null and void by the issuing authority:

(1) His or her visa, stay permit or residence permit is lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen or robbed;

(2) The time limit for his or her exit, repatriation or deportation from China has been decided, and his or her visa, stay permit or residence permit has not been confiscated or cancelled;

(3) The original purpose of residence has been changed, but he or she fails to report to the exit-entry administration authority of the public security organ within the prescribed time limit and fails to do so even after the said organ has given a public notice thereon; or

(4) Circumstances in which a visa or residence permit shall not be issued as prescribed by the provisions of Article 21 or Article 31 of the Exit-entry Administration Law.

32. Conditions for the application for permanent residence by foreigners Qualified foreigners can apply for permanent residence in China. Foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in China can reside in China without time limit.

Foreigners applying for permanent residence in China must abide by Chinese laws, be in good health and without any criminal record, and must meet at least one of the following requirements:

(1) having made direct investment in China with stable operation and a good taxpaying record for three successive years;

(2) having been holding the post of deputy general manager, factory deputy director or above or of associate professor, associate researcher and other associate senior titles or above or enjoying an equal treatment, for at least four successive years, with a cumulative period of residence in China not less than three cumulative years in four years and with a good taxpaying record;

(3) having made a great and outstanding contribution to and being specially needed by China;

(4) being the spouse or unmarried child under 18 years old of a person under the item (1), (2) or (3) of this paragraph;

(5) being the spouse of a Chinese citizen or of a foreigner with permanent residence status in China, with at least five years of marriage relation, at least five successive years of residence in China and at least nine months of residence in China each year, and having stable source of subsistence and a dwelling place;

(6) being an unmarried person under 18 years old turning to his parent; or

(7) being a person who is or above 60 years old, who has no directly-related member of his family abroad and is to turn to any directly-related member of his family in China, and has stayed in China at least five successive years, at least nine months of residence in China each year, and has stable source of subsistence and a dwelling place.