Application for Permanent Residence ID Card by Foreigners in China
资料与公证认证全攻略

A Complete Guide to Application Materials, Notarization and Authentication Processes, and the Latest Hague Convention Updates

# China Green Card Permanent Residence Card Notarization and Authentication

As China's opening-up deepens, more foreign nationals are choosing to live and build their careers here long-term. The Permanent Resident Identity Card for Foreigners—commonly known as the "China Green Card" or "Five-Star Card"—is a legal ID allowing unrestricted stay in China. However, complex application requirements and strict notarization and authentication rules often leave applicants confused. This guide systematically outlines the required documents and key points for notarization and authentication across all application categories, helping you avoid common pitfalls.

1. Who is eligible? Overview of eligibility requirements

According to the "Administrative Measures for the Approval of Permanent Residence in China for Foreigners," foreigners applying for permanent residence in China shallComply with Chinese laws, be in good health, and have no criminal record, and meets at least one of the following conditions:

• Investor

  Directly invest in China, maintain stable investments for three consecutive years, and have a good tax record.

• Incumbent

  Hold a position equivalent to Deputy General Manager or Deputy Factory Director, or possess a senior professional title equivalent to Associate Professor or Associate Researcher; have served continuously for at least four years, resided in China for an aggregate of no less than three years within those four years, and maintained a good tax compliance record.

• Outstanding Contributors

  Those who have made significant contributions to China or are in critical need of national development;

• Family Relocation

  Spouses of the above three categories of personnel and unmarried children under 18 years of age;

• Family Reunion

  Spouse of a Chinese citizen or foreign national with permanent residence status, provided the marriage has lasted at least five years, the applicant has resided continuously in China for at least five years, has stayed in China for no less than nine months each year, and has stable financial support and housing.

• Family Reunification (Children Joining Parents)

  Unmarried children under the age of 18 joining their parents.

• Family Reunification (Elderly Care)

  No immediate relatives abroad; to join immediate relatives in China; aged 60 or older; have continuously resided in China for at least five years; have stayed in China for no less than nine months each year; and have stable living support and accommodation.

💡 Tip:The above durations refer to continuous periods prior to the application date. Document requirements vary by application category; please prepare accordingly based on your circumstances.

二、通用申请材料（所有类别均需提交）

Regardless of the application method, the following documents are required for all applicants:

III. Detailed Breakdown of Category-Specific Materials

(I) Investment Personnel

In addition to general materials, please submit:

• Copy of the Enterprise Legal Person Business License and Annual Report (or Annual Inspection Certificate), valid for 3 consecutive years prior to the application date;

• Copy of the Approval Certificate for Foreign-Invested Enterprises

• Copy of capital verification report (demonstrating stable investment and sufficient amounts for the 3 years preceding the application date);

• For foreign-invested enterprises encouraged by the state, a confirmation letter for the encouraged foreign investment project must also be submitted.

• Certificate of Personal Income Tax Paid (covering the continuous 3 years prior to the application date).

(II) Appointees

In addition to general materials, please submit:

• Certificate of position or professional title issued by the employing institution (certifying continuous service as Deputy General Manager/Associate Professor or above for at least 4 years);

• Foreigner's Work Permit (valid for the 4 consecutive years prior to the application date);

• Registration and annual inspection certificates of the employing unit (business license copy for enterprises; organization code certificate for other units);

• Certificate of Individual Income Tax Paid (covering the continuous 4 years prior to the application date);

• If your employer is a foreign-invested enterprise, you must also submit the Approval Certificate for Foreign-Invested Enterprises.

(3) Family Reunification for Spouses

In addition to general materials, please submit:

• Proof of Marriage (Marriage Certificate or notarized proof of marriage); documents issued abroad must be authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in that country.

• Residence registration certificate for Chinese spouse or Permanent Residence Card for Foreign spouse;

• Notarized proof of spousal financial support or applicant's source of income.

(4) Family Reunification (Minor Children)

In addition to general materials, please submit:

• 出生证明或亲子关系证明（国外出具的须经认证）；

• Proof of parents' marital status (if divorced, a document proving the sponsor's guardianship responsibility toward the applicant must be provided);

• Proof of Chinese household registration (hukou) for one parent or a Permanent Resident Card of Foreigners.

(5) Family Reunification (Age 60+)

In addition to general materials, please submit:

• Proof of permanent household registration in China for the citizen you are joining, or the Foreigner's Permanent Resident Card for foreigners.

• Certified Proof of Family Relationship

  (Issued by a local police station or notary office in China, or by foreign competent authorities and authenticated);

• Notarized Certificate of No Direct Relatives Abroad for the Dependent

  (Requires authentication when issued abroad);

• Notarized proof of the dependent's financial source or sponsor's financial guarantee

  (e.g., bank deposit certificates of 10 yuan or more, pension proof, etc.);

• Notarized lease or property ownership certificate for the dependent or sponsoring party

  (or a notarized statement of consent from the property owner to reside).

⚠️ Pay special attention to:以上各类材料均须交验原件，提交一式三份A4规格复印件。申请材料为外文的，须提供具有翻译资质机构出具的中文翻译件。

IV. Notarization and Authentication: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Steps

Documents issued abroad are recognized in China only if they have undergone compliant notarization and authentication. This is the most error-prone and delay-prone step in the entire application process.

（一）什么是公证？什么是认证？

Notarize：由公证机构证明文件的真实性、合法性。Authenticate: Ensures overseas recognition of notarized documents, effectively providing "validity endorsement." For foreign documents to be used in China, they typically must first be notarized by a local authority and then authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate (or processed via the Hague Apostille).

(II) Common Documents Requiring Notarization and Authentication

According to official regulations, the following documents issued overseas generally require notarization and authentication:

• Certificate of No Criminal Record

• Health Certificate (issued by a foreign medical institution)

• Marriage Certificate

• Birth Certificate

• 亲属关系证明

• Financial Guarantee Certificate, Proof of Financial Source

• Degree / Diploma

• Adoption certificate and documents for name change

(3) Major Changes After the Hague Convention Entered into Force

From2023-11-7起，《取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》（海牙公约）对中国正式生效。这一变化对永居申请者具有重大利好：

✅ New Rule: Apostille replaces consular legalization

ForHague Convention SignatoryOfficial documents only require legalization in that country.ApostilleNo further consular legalization by the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area is required. This significantly simplifies the legalization process and reduces processing time.

ForNon-Contracting StateParties not subject to the Convention shall continue to use the existing consular legalization procedures.

For example, if your country of nationality (e.g., the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Germany, etc.) is a party to the Hague Convention, documents such as your criminal record check, marriage certificate, and birth certificate only need to be authenticated in that country.Notarization + ApostilleTwo steps to use directly in China, compared to the previous three-step process of "notarization + Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication + embassy/consulate authentication."

(IV) Time Requirements for Notarization and Authentication

All notarization and authentication documents have strict validity periods. Ensure submission within the valid timeframe:

• Certificate of No Criminal Record

  The certification must be issued within 6 months prior to the application date;

• Health Certificate

  出具时间应在受理之日前6个月内；

• Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate

  The certification must be issued within 6 months prior to the application date;

• Certificate of Financial Guarantee (Bank Deposit Certificate)

  Frozen for more than 6 months; valid within 6 months from the issue date.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• 忽略认证要求

  Documents such as police clearance certificates and academic transcripts submitted from abroad without proper authentication will be rejected.

• Late submission of corrective materials

  Failure to submit additional materials within the specified timeframe after receiving a correction notice will be deemed an automatic withdrawal.

• Non-compliant translation

  Foreign language documents must be accompanied by a Chinese translation issued by a certified translation agency.

• Insufficient copies

  Generally, three copies of A4-format photocopies are required.

V. Application Process and Accepting Authority

Foreign nationals applying for permanent residence in China shall submit their application toPublic Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration of Municipal Governments Divided into Districts提出申请。审核机关为各省、自治区、直辖市公安厅（局），审批机关为公安部。

The basic workflow is:递交申请 → 受理 → 审核 → 审批 → 制证发证. Approval cycle is generally6个月Application fee: $1500 CNY, Document fee: $300 CNY.

6. Summary and Recommendations

Applying for China's Permanent Resident ID is a complex process involving extensive documentation and strict requirements. We recommend applicants:

1. Plan ahead

   Processing times for various notarization and authentication documents can be lengthy (several weeks to months); please initiate the process well in advance.

2. Check off items on the checklist one by one.

   Prepare materials item by item based on your application category, using the general requirements plus category-specific documents.

3. Benefit from the Hague Convention

   If your country of nationality is a member of the Hague Convention, use the Apostille to streamline the process.

4. Contact your local exit-entry administration department

   Specific requirements may vary by region. We recommend contacting your local public security bureau's exit-entry administration office in advance for confirmation.

📌 Disclaimer:This content is compiled based on publicly available laws, regulations, and guidance from local exit-entry administration departments. It is for reference only. For specific requirements, please refer to the latest regulations issued by your local public security authority's exit-entry management institution. Policies may change at any time; we recommend confirming all details before submitting your application.

主要参考依据："Measures for the Administration of Approval of Permanent Residence in China for Foreigners" (Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Foreign Order No. 74), the "Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China," and the guidance manuals provided by local exit-entry administration departments.