China To Grant Permanent Residence Permits To Foreign Experts

by Paul Denlinger

Posted Dec. 17, 2003

In a move to grant wider access to China by foreigners with urgently needed skills, the Chinese government plans to grant permanent residence permits to select foreigners. Currently, foreigners residing in China are required to renew their residence permits every year. Every time they leave or re-enter China, they are required to re-apply for a new visa.

China's current economic development has created a need for foreign professionals with highly developed management skills, and investment professionals. The current shortage of middle management staff has had an adverse effect on many companies which are trying to keep up with the demands of the China domestic market. As the Chinese economy heads toward one governed by market principles, replacing the old socialist model, there is a need for investment professionals.

The new proposals were drafted by the Ministry of Public Security, and have been sent to the State Council, which is the equivalent of the cabinet in western countries. Under the new proposals, foreign professionals would obtain permanent residence once every 3 - 5 years, and would not need to get new visas each time they re-entered China. It is estimated that there are now approximately 440,000 foreigners living in China.

In February of this year, some 45 foreign advisors to the Chinese central government have already been granted permanent residence permits under a temporary law.

This year, the Chinese government and Chinese companies have opened up to foreign participation at a much more senior level than before. Major cities have also introduced incentives to attract foreigners with particularly urgently needed skills.

The need is particularly urgent for professionals with successful track records and are bilingual in Chinese and a major foreign language.

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