China lowers threshold for permanent residency for foreigners

China has lowered the threshold for permanent residency "green cards" for foreigners serving in some government-affiliated institutes and scientific and research centers, the Ministry of Public Security said on Monday.

据周一中国公安部消息，中国开始降低在部分政府附属机构和科研中心任职的外国人“绿卡”，可申请永久居留。

According to the ministry, the newly added sectors include State laboratories and engineering research centers, technology centers of key companies and foreign-funded research and development centers.

据悉，此次新增工作单位范围，具体包括国家实验室、国家工程技术研究中心、重点企业科研中心、外商投资研发中心等。

Foreigners who are vice-professors and researchers or above, have worked for at least four years and lived in China for three years with good tax records, will be able to apply for permanent resident permits at the local entry and exit management department.

具有副教授、副研究员等副高级职称以上，已连续任职满四年、四年内在中国累计居留不少于三年且纳税记录良好的外国人，可向当地出入境管理部门申请在华永久居留。

Launched in 2004, China's green card policy provides permanent residency for high-end foreign experts and people with large investments or for outstanding contributions to the country.

我国从2004年开始实施“绿卡”制度，对在我有关单位任职的外国籍高层次人才，在中国有较高数额直接投资的外国籍投资者、对我国有重大突出贡献的外国人，可授予其永久居留证。

In recent years, the policy has far from satisfied the country's need to attract more talented people from overseas, said a senior official at the ministry who declined to reveal his name.

一名不愿意透露姓名的公安部官员透露，近几年，中国“绿卡”政策远未满足国家吸引更多海外人才的需要。

Chinese authorities have been working on draft regulations to lower the thresholds on applications and cover foreigners involved in scientific and research centers with good education, stable jobs and good skills, he said.

他还说到，中国有关部门一直在研究降低申请门槛的条例草案，将在科研领域的、教育背景佳、工作稳定、业务突出的外国人囊括进来。

"Such measures will play an essential role in attracting more high-level foreigners, including many overseas Chinese," the ministry said in a statement.

“这些举措将吸引更多高端的外国人，包括很多海外的中国人。”公安部在声明中说。

Foreigners who obtain permanent residency have the same rights as Chinese people when they invest in businesses, purchase houses, apply for driving licenses and admit their children to Chinese schools.

获得永久居留权的外国人，拥有和中国公民在投资、购房、申请驾照及子女入学等方面同样的权利。

By 2013, more than 5,000 foreigners had managed to get green cards, a small number compared with the more than 600,000 foreigners living in China.

截至2013年底，共有5000多名外国人持证，而居住在中国的外国人超过60万人。

Ada Jen, an English teacher at an international school in Beijing, said that after introducing the measure, more qualified foreigners will get permanent residency.

北京一所国际学校的英语教师埃达·耶恩说，新措施推行后，将有更多符合要求的外国人获得永久居留权。

"The permit can provide more convenience in the country, such as opening a bank account, applying for driving licenses or purchasing houses," she said.

她说，“绿卡”可以为这些人提供更多的方便，如开银行账户、申请驾照或购房等。