Service Guide for the Issuance, Extension, Renewal and Replacement of Residence Permits for Foreigners

I. Scope of Application
This guide is applicable to the application for foreigner residence permits.

II. Basis for Approval
The Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners.

III. Receiving Institution
The National Immigration Administration entrusts the exit-entry administration institutions of public security organs at or above the prefectural level (including the counties under the jurisdiction of municipalities directly under the Central Government) to handle the residence permits of foreigners.
Upon the approval of the National Immigration Administration upon the request of the exit-entry administration of the provincial public security organ, the Exit-entry administration of the county-level public security organ may, upon the entrustment of the National Immigration Administration, accept the residence permits of foreigners.

IV. Application Requirements
After entering the country, foreigners who need to stay in China for non-diplomatic or official reasons may, in accordance with the regulations, apply to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ for the issuance, extension, renewal and reissuance of their residence permits.
Specialized talents and investors who meet the national regulations or foreigners who need to change from stay to residence for humanitarian or other reasons may apply for a foreigner's residence permit upon approval by the exit-entry administration of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the level of a prefecture-level city. 
Foreigners applying for residence permits, as well as for their extension, renewal or replacement, shall go through the relevant procedures at the exit-entry administration of the public security organ by themselves. They are high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents needed by the country, as well as those under 16 years old or over 60 years old, and those who have difficulty moving due to illness or other reasons. Applications can be made on behalf of the inviting entity or individual, the applicant's relatives, or relevant specialized service agencies.

V. Prohibitive Requirements
Where an applicant falls under the circumstances stipulated in Article 31 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, a foreigner's residence permit shall not be issued.

VI. Application Materials and Requirements
(I) When accepting applications for residence permits from foreigners, the applicant shall be required to complete relevant procedures and submit related materials:
1. Valid passport or other international travel documents;
2. Fill out the application form for Foreigner's visa and document and submit a photo that meets the standards of the "Guidelines for Taking Photos on Exit-Entry Documents".
3. Supporting documents related to the application subject matter;
4. Other procedures that should be fulfilled and supporting documents submitted. The relevant certificates can be presented for verification of the original and copies should be kept.
(II) Supporting documents required for applying for a residence permit
If a foreigner's visa indicates that a residence permit is required upon entry, they shall apply to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ of the intended place of residence for a foreigner's residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry.
Foreigners applying for residence permits valid for more than one year shall submit a health certificate issued by the local health and quarantine department or the health and medical department at or above the county level in accordance with the regulations, confirming that the applicant does not suffer from serious mental disorders, infectious tuberculosis or other infectious diseases that may cause significant harm to public health.
And submit the following supporting documents as required:
1. Work Category: For those entering the country with a Z-visa, they should submit a work permit certificate issued by the local human resources and social security, foreign expert and other competent authorities, as well as a certificate letter issued by their work unit. Those entering the country with other types of visas shall also submit proof materials that meet the conditions and requirements for foreign high-level talents, urgently needed and scarce specialized talents, investors, etc. as determined by the relevant competent authorities of the Chinese government. For foreign high-level talents, urgently needed and scarce specialized talents and investors, residence permits with a residence period of no more than five years may be issued. For personnel working in registered units with good reputation, residence permits with a duration of no more than two years may be issued. For other individuals, residence permits with a duration of no more than one year may be issued.
2. Study Category: Those entering with an X1-visa should submit a letter from their school indicating the duration of study and a certificate of admission or enrollment. Those entering the country with other types of visas shall also submit the supporting documents issued by the competent authorities. A residence permit consistent with the study period indicated by the school can be issued.
Foreigners holding study-type residence permits who need to work part-time or do internships off campus shall submit letters of consent for such work or internships issued by their schools and internship units to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ to apply for the endorsement of their residence permits.
3. Journalists: Those entering the country with a J1-visa should submit a letter issued by the foreign affairs department of the provincial people's government and the issued "Journalist Card". Residence permits with a validity period of no more than one year can be issued.
4. Family Reunion Category: For those entering with a Q1-visa, they should submit the identity proof of the person to be visited and a letter explaining the family relationship. Foreigners entering the country on other types of visas shall also submit proof of family membership. For those under 18 years old and those over 60 years old, residence permits with a validity period of no more than three years may be issued. For those under 18 years old, the expiration date of the residence period cannot exceed the date when they turn 18. Residence permits with a duration of no more than two years may be issued to other individuals.
For foreign children under the age of 18 who are fostered by overseas Chinese or Chinese expatriates in China, the foster trustee may issue a residence permit valid for no more than three years to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ at the place of household registration or the main place of residence. The expiration date of the residence permit shall not exceed the date when the child reaches the age of 18. The applicant's birth certificate and copies of the passports of the foreign parents should be submitted. If both or one of the parents is Chinese, a copy of the proof of settlement abroad should also be submitted. The power of attorney of the applicant's parents and the power of attorney of the foster care trustee should specify the entrusted custody or guardian, the duration of foster care, and other contents. The trustee's local permanent residence certificate or proof of residence for more than six months in the actual place of residence and resident identity card.
5. Private Affairs Category: For those entering with an S1-visa, the visiting person should submit a letter issued by the person to be visited explaining the relationship among relatives (spouse, parents, parents-in-law, children under 18 years old) and their residence permit. A residence permit consistent with the period of stay of the person being visited in China can be issued. Other personnel should submit relevant proof materials for handling private affairs. Residence permits with a validity period of no more than one year can be issued.
For those entering the country with other types of visas, visiting relatives should submit a letter issued by the person to be visited, their residence permit and proof of the relationship among relatives (spouse, parents, parents-in-law, children under the age of 18), and a residence permit consistent with the period of residence of the person to be visited in China can be issued. Foreign Chinese who have reached the age of 60 and purchase real estate within the territory of China shall submit the property certificate under their name or the notarized house purchase contract and the proof of economic source, and may be issued a residence permit with a duration of no more than three years. Foreigners receiving medical assistance or services within the territory of China shall submit a hospitalization certificate for more than six months or a certificate of receiving medical services issued by a local medical institution at or above the county level or a secondary-level class A institution, and may be issued a residence permit with a stay period of no more than one year.
(III) Application for the extension or renewal of residence permits
When foreigners apply for an extension of their residence period or for changes in the registration items of their residence permits, the applicants shall submit relevant supporting documents or personal basic information as well as relevant supporting documents for the change of the purpose of residence in accordance with the above-mentioned provisions, and the residence period may be extended or the residence permit may be reissued.
(IV) Application for reissuance of residence permits
If a foreigner's residence permit is lost, damaged or stolen, they should submit a certificate of loss of their passport or a note from the embassy or consulate of their home country in China, or show the damaged permit, as well as a new passport or other international travel document, and a replacement residence permit may be issued.

V. Basic Procedures and Methods for Handling
(I) Application. Foreigners applying for residence permits, as well as for their extension, renewal or replacement, shall go through the relevant procedures at the exit-entry administration of the public security organ in person. They are high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents needed by the country, as well as those under 16 years old or over 60 years old, and those who have difficulty moving due to illness or other reasons. Applications can be made on behalf of the inviting entity or individual, the applicant's relatives, or relevant specialized service agencies.
(II) Acceptance. All materials should be collected and all contents reviewed at once. After review, if the application for a foreigner's residence permit meets the acceptance conditions, it shall be accepted and a receipt of acceptance shall be issued. A decision on whether to issue it shall be made within the validity period of the receipt of acceptance. The validity period of the acceptance receipt for a residence permit application shall not exceed 15 working days from the date of acceptance. Where the procedures and materials for applying for a residence permit are incomplete, the exit-entry administration of the public security organ shall inform the applicant at one time of the procedures to be fulfilled and the application materials to be supplemented.
(III) Review. The exit-entry administration of the public security organ shall verify the authenticity of the application reasons through interviews, telephone inquiries, on-site investigations and other means, and review and confirm that the applicant is of foreign nationality. Notify the applicant or relevant units or individuals for an interview. If they fail to attend the interview within the agreed time without a valid reason, the visa or document may not be issued in accordance with the law.
(IV) Decision. If the conditions and standards are met, the decision-making body shall make a decision to grant administrative permission and issue the corresponding category of residence permit.

VI. Completion Time Limit
After review, if the application for a foreigner's residence permit meets the acceptance conditions, it shall be accepted and a receipt of acceptance shall be issued. A decision on whether to issue it shall be made within the validity period of the receipt of acceptance. The validity period of the acceptance receipt for a residence permit application shall not exceed 15 working days from the date of acceptance.

VII. Basis and Standards for Charging
(I) Basis for charging
Notice of the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance on the Fee Standards for Foreigners' Residence Permits and Related Issues (Development and Reform Commission Price [2004] No. 2230)
(II) Charging Standards
1. Residence permit valid for less than one year: 400 yuan;
2. Residence permit valid for one year (inclusive) to three years: 800 yuan;
3. Residence permit valid for three years (inclusive) to five years (inclusive) : 1,000 yuan. X. Delivery of Results

VIII. Delivery of Results
The foreigner's residence permit approved and issued must be collected on-site by the applicant in person at the Exit-Entry administration of the public security organ with the acceptance receipt.

IX. Rights and Obligations of Administrative Counterparts
(I) In accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the applicant enjoys the following rights
1. Those who meet the legal conditions and standards have the equal right to obtain administrative licenses in accordance with the law.
2. Have the right to make statements and defenses against administrative licensing implemented by administrative organs;
3. Other rights as prescribed by laws and regulations.
(II) In accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the applicant shall fulfill the following obligations:
1. Truthfully submit relevant materials to the administrative organ and reflect the true situation, and be responsible for the authenticity of the substantive content of the application materials.
2. Cooperate with administrative authorities in interviews, phone inquiries, on-site investigations, etc., to verify the authenticity of the application materials;
3. Other obligations as prescribed by laws and regulations.

X. Other Matters Needing Attention
(I) Family Members: including spouse, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings, grandparents, maternal grandparents, grandchildren, maternal grandchildren, and spouses of children.
(II) Family member relationship certificates and kinship certificates: Marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption certificates, other kinship certificates and related notarizations issued by relevant national authorities; Marriage certificates, birth certificates, certificates of kinship, and certificates of changes in names and other materials issued by the embassies or consulates of the country to which one belongs in China.
(III) Marriage certificates, birth certificates, certificates of kinship, and certificates of changes in names and other materials issued by foreign competent authorities or notary departments shall be authenticated by the Chinese embassies or consulates in that country.
(IV) Identity proof: Identity proof for residents of the Chinese mainland refers to the local permanent household registration certificate or the proof of residence for more than six months in the actual place of residence and the resident identity card. The overseas Chinese identity certificate refers to the Chinese passport and the certificate of settlement abroad. The identity certificate for Hong Kong and Macao residents refers to the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents. The Taiwan resident identity certificate refers to the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents. A foreigner's identity certificate refers to a foreigner's permanent residence permit. Overseas Chinese and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan should also submit proof of residence in their actual place of residence for more than six months.

Source: Xiamen Public Security Bureau