Application for residence permits for work

Conditions of Application

Foreigners who enter China with Z Visa and come to work in Guangzhou shall apply for work-type residence permits within 30 days from the date of their entry. 

Application Documents

When applying for a residence permit for work, the applicant is obliged to answer relevant inquiries and submit the following documents:

1)Original and photocopies of valid passport or other international travel documents, and the visa used in the latest entry;

2）A completed “Visa Application Form for Foreigners”;

3）A visa photo, which has met the requirement of the Entry/Exit Administration Department of Public Security of Guangdong Province, and a Receipt of China Visa Photograph for Foreigners in Guangdong Province;

4）A valid “Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors” in Guangzhou;

5) A health certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (Submission is required at the first application for residence permit);

6) Photocopies (to be checked against the original) of “Foreign Expert Certificate”, “Employment Permit for Foreigners”, “Work Permit for Foreigners Engaged in Offshore Oil Operations in the People’s Republic of China”, or an approval letter censoring performances issued by Ministry of Culture or departments authorized by Ministry of Culture;   

7)  Letter of certification from work unit;

8) Photocopies (to be checked against the original) of registration certificates of work units (such as duplicate of the business license, duplicate of registration certificate of institution as legal person);

9) Where foreigners enter China with other types of visa and need to apply for work-type residence permits, they shall also submit certification documents testifying that they are investors, or persons who meet the qualifications and requirements set by the competent authorities of the Chinese government for inviting persons of high talent or urgently needed specialists;

Application for residence permits for study

Conditions of Application

Foreigners who enter China with X1 Visa and come to Guangzhou for long-term study shall apply for study-type residence permits within 30 days from the date of their entry. 

Application Documents

When applying for a residence permit for study, the applicant is obliged to answer relevant inquiries and submit the following documents:

1)Original and photocopies of valid passport or other international travel documents, and the visa used in the latest entry;

2）A completed “Visa Application Form for Foreigners”;

3）A visa photo, which has met the requirement of the Entry/Exit Administration Department of Public Security of Guangdong Province, and a Receipt of China Visa Photograph for Foreigners in Guangdong Province;

4）A valid “Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors” in Guangzhou;

5) A health certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (Submission is required with the first application for residence permits);

6) Letter of certification detailing student status, field of study and duration of study issued by host institution; 

7) Admission letter;

8）Where the applicant enters China with other type of visa, “Visa Application Form for Study in China” shall also be submitted;
Notice:

Where foreigners holding study-type residence permits intend to work in support of their study or to intern off-campus, they shall apply to the exit/entry administration authority of Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau to have the information specified in their residence permits. And they shall submit letters of certification provided by work and study units in support of their work-study programs or off-campus internship, as well as application documents in accordance with application for study-type residence permits.

Application for Residence Permits for Journalists

Conditions of Application

Resident foreign journalists who enter China with J1 Visa, shall apply for residence permits for journalists within 30 days from the date of their entry.

Application Documents

When applying for a residence permit for journalists, the applicant is obliged to answer relevant inquiries and submit the following documents:

1）Original and photocopies of valid passport or other international travel documents, and the visa used in the latest entry;

2）A completed “Visa Application Form for Foreigners”;

3）A visa photo, which has met the requirement of the Entry/Exit Administration Department of Public Security of Guangdong Province, and a Receipt of China Visa Photograph for Foreigners in Guangdong Province;

4）A valid “Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors” in Guangzhou;

5) A health certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (Submission is required with the first application for residence permits);

6) Official letter of certification and photocopies (to be checked against the original) of the “Press Card” issued by the foreign affairs office of the people’s government at the provincial level;

Application for Residence Permits for Reunion

Conditions of Application 

Where family members of Chinese citizens, family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China, and foreign children under the age of 18 fostered in Guangzhou, whose parents are Chinese of foreign nationality or overseas Chinese, when they come to China with Q1 Visa and need to apply for residence permits for family reunion in Guangzhou, they shall apply for residence permits for reunion within 30 days from the date of their entry.  

Application Documents

When applying for a residence permit for reunion, the applicant is obliged to answer relevant inquiries and submit the following documents:

1)Original and photocopies of valid passport or other international travel documents, and the visa used in the latest entry;

2）A completed “Visa Application Form for Foreigners”;

3）A visa photo, which has met the requirement of the Entry/Exit Administration Department of Public Security of Guangdong Province, and a Receipt of China Visa Photograph for Foreigners in Guangdong Province;

4）A valid “Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors” in Guangzhou;

5) A health certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (Submission is required with the first application for residence permits);

6) Proof of family relationship (family members including spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings, paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, paternal grandchildren, maternal grandchildren and children’s spouses);

7) Identification of the persons to be visited (submission of photocopies, to be checked against the original): 

① Where the persons to be visited are residents in Mainland China with registered residence in Guangzhou, the identity card and household register shall be submitted; where the persons to be visited are residents in Mainland China with registered residence not in Guangzhou, the identity card and residence certificate in Guangzhou shall be submitted;

② If the persons to be visited are Hong Kong or Macao residents, “Pass for Traveling to and from Mainland China” and “Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors” in Guangzhou shall be submitted;

③ If the persons to be visited are Taiwan residents, “Pass for Traveling between Mainland China and Taiwan” with valid endorsement shall be submitted (in case of non-local endorsement, “Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors” in Guangzhou shall also be provided); 

④ If the persons to be visited are overseas Chinese, Chinese passports, evidence of permanent residence abroad and “Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors” in Guangzhou shall be submitted;     

⑤If the persons to be visited are foreigners with “Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners” in China, their permits shall be submitted (in case of non-local application, “Lodgment Registration Form for Foreigners” in Guangzhou shall also be provided); 

8)Where Chinese of foreign nationality or overseas Chinese intend to have their children under the age of 18 fostered in Guangzhou, they shall submit the following documents in addition to those specified in subparagraphs from 1) to 4):  

① Photocopies (to be checked against the original) of the birth certificates of the foster children;

② Passports of the foster children’s parents; where one or both parents are Chinese, photocopies (to be checked against the original) of evidence of permanent residence abroad shall also be submitted;

③ Photocopies (to be checked against the original) of the identity card, household register, or residence certificate of the person to be entrusted;

④ A certificate of entrustment from the foster children’s parents (detailing information about parents or guardians and duration of fosterage), a letter of consent on foster care by the trustee (detailing acceptance of entrustment by the foster children’s parents, assumption of responsibilities of fosterage and guardianship and guarantee to have the foster children exit China on schedule).

Application for Residence Permits for Personal Matters

Conditions of Application 

Where the spouses, parents, children under the age of 18, parents-in-law of foreigners residing in Guangzhou for work, study or other purposes, as well as foreigners who need to reside in China for such personal matters as receiving medical help or service etc., who enter China with S1 Visa, they shall apply for residence permits for personal matters within 30 days from the date of their entry.  

Application Documents

When applying for a residence permit, the applicant is obliged to answer relevant inquiries and submit the following documents:

1)Original and photocopies of valid passport or other international travel documents, and the visa used in the latest entry;

2）A completed “Visa Application Form for Foreigners”;

3）A visa photo, which has met the requirement of the Entry/Exit Administration Department of Public Security of Guangdong Province, and a Receipt of China Visa Photograph for Foreigners in Guangdong Province;

4）A valid “Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors” in Guangzhou;

5) A health certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (Submission is required with the first application for residence permits);

6)  Relevant documents relating to purposes of residence:

① To visit foreigners with residence status in China, visitors shall provide photocopies (to be checked against the original) of the valid passports and residence permit of the persons to be visited  as well as letter of certification from the work or study unit and evidence of kinship;

② Foreigners who come to China to receive medical help or service shall provide certificates of hospitalization for more than six months or certificates of receiving medical service from medical institutions at or above the county level or the 2A level in Guangzhou;

③ Where Chinese of foreign nationality at or above the age of 60 have purchased houses in China, they shall provide evidence of house ownership registered in their name or notarized home sale and purchase contract, as well as evidence of source of income;
④ Persons who really need to reside in China for other personal matters shall submit relevant documents of certification. 

Extension, change and reissuance of residence permits

1. To apply for extension of residence permits, the applicant is obliged to submit relevant documents in accordance with the requirements for application for residence permits; where the applicant has already submitted the health examination report, additional submission is not necessary.

2. Where the registered items in a foreigner’s residence permit have changed, the holder shall, within ten days from the date of change, on the strength of application documents relevant to such change, apply to the exit/entry administration of the local public security organ for change of residence permit.

1) Where such basic information as name, passport number or accompanying persons has changed, the holder shall submit documents relevant to such change (in case of change of name or birth date, notes issued by embassy or consulate of the residing country should be submitted; in case of change in accompanying persons, the birth certificates of newborn babies and passports of the parents should be submitted); 

2) Where the purpose of residence has changed, the holder shall submit relevant documents testifying termination of the previous purpose and commencement of a new purpose; in case of a change to work-type residence permit, the holder shall also submit certification documents testifying that he or she meets the qualifications and requirements set by the competent authorities of the Chinese government for inviting persons of high talent or urgently needed specialists. Such application shall be handled in accordance with application for residence permits. 

3. Where residence permits held by foreigners are lost, stolen, robbed or damaged, such foreigners shall, on the strength of “the confirmation of reporting the loss of passport” issued by the exit/entry administration, newly received passport or international travel documents, or with presentation of the damaged residence permit, apply for a new residence permit in accordance with requirements for application for residence permits.   

Notices:

1. Foreigners who apply for visas, stay permits or residence permits, shall visit the website WWW.GZJD.GOV.CN, and select “FOREIGNER” part to make an online appointment at “application section”, or go in person to the Division of Exit/Entry Administration of Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, and visit the “Area of Online Application for Overseas Personnel” to make an on-the-spot appointment on the computers. The units which provide letters of certification to foreigners in application for visas, stay permits or residence permits, also need to visit the website WWW.GZJD.GOV.CN and enter “Application Section” to file records online at “Filing Records for Foreign-related Units” part. The units which have passed the inspection of record-filing do not need to submit registration certificates again.       

2. Foreigners who apply for extension of the duration of stay shall apply to the exit/entry administration authorities of public security organs seven days prior to the expiry of the validity period specified in their visas and stay permits.  
Foreigners who apply for extension of the duration of residence shall apply to the exit/entry administration authorities of public security organs 30 days prior to the expiry of the validity period specified in their residence permits.  
Handling and issuing visas and stay permits need seven working days and handling and issuing residence permits need 15 working days. 

3. Where children under the age of 16 who hold foreign passports, for the first time, apply for visas, stay permits or residence permits in Guangzhou, for the purpose of confirming nationalities, they shall, submit their own birth certificates, photocopies of their foreign parents’ passports or photocopies of their Chinese parents’ passports and certificates of permanent residence in the country of residence (to be checked against the original). 

4. In accordance with Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, China does not recognize dual nationality. For applicants who have been naturalized as foreign nationals, only after they have cancelled their Chinese household registers, can they apply for visas, stay permits or residence permits for foreigners.

5. Proof of family relationship and kinship refer to proof of marriage, birth certificate, proof of fosterage, other proof of kinship issued by competent departments of the State, and corresponding documents notarized by notary organs, as well as proof of marriage, birth certificate and proof of kinship issued by embassies and consulates of residing countries stationed in China. 

6. Proof of marriage, birth certificate, proof of kinship, or proof of information change such as name, which is issued by overseas institutions, shall be authenticated by Chinese embassy or consulates in the country of residence. 

7. Relevant documents in foreign languages shall be translated into Chinese by organs of domestic notarization.

8. Foreigners who apply for visas，stay permits or residence permits must pay fees in accordance with relevant regulations of competent departments of the Chinese government.

9. Validity period and number of entries specified in visas, stay permits or residence permits shall be in accordance with the final decisions made by exit/entry administration departments of public security organs.

10. Decisions made by exit/entry administrations of public security organs on rejecting applications for visa extension, change or reissuance, or on not issuing foreigners’ stay permits or residence permits, or on not extending the duration of residence shall be final. The exit/entry administrations of public security organs have the power to cancel the issued visas, stay permits or residence permits or declare them null and void.   

11. Foreigners who reside or stay in China illegally or commit other illegal acts or persons held responsible shall, in accordance with the law, be punished by public security organs.