Obtaining a Residence Permit without a Work Permit in China

In China, typical residence permits are usually granted to those visiting Chinese relatives or foreign family members who possess the Chinese “Green Card” (under the reunion-type residence permit). Others who can obtain this are foreign relatives with work-type residence permits or study-type residence permits (personal affairs residence permits). However, today we aim to shed light on a different type of personal affairs residence permit that caters to those intending to job hunt, establish a business, or conduct different types of business research in China. This implies that having relatives working or studying in China isn’t necessary for obtaining this permit.

Let’s clarify the difference between a visa and a residence permit:

1. Visa: A visa predominantly provides short-term authorization for specific activities, such as tourism, business engagements, or educational pursuits. Your personal information, including your full name, date of birth, and gender, is present on the visa. Additionally, information about the visa itself, like its type, the permitted number of entries, issuance date, validity, expiration, and duration of stay, is also included. The duration of stay is a significant difference you’ll find between a visa and a residence permit. For instance, you can only stay in China for a maximum of 90 days upon each entry with a visa.

Presented here is an M visa that permits a stay duration of 90 days

2. Residence Permit: A residence permit is a legal document that grants foreign nationals the privilege to reside in a country for an extended period, typically for purposes including employment, education, or family reunification. Unlike a visa, a residence permit only features an expiration date, and a specific stay period. Hence, you can stay in China until the permit’s expiration date. Below is an example of a work-type residence permit

Eligibility Criteria:

1. The applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
2. The applicant’s major should be in STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics).
3. The applicant should be a graduate from a “first-class” university or an internationally renowned university.

Upon securing employment, an applicant can apply for a work-type residence permit valid for less than 5 years.

Application Timeline: Applications can be made within 5 years after graduation.

Application Checklist for Shenzhen:

1. Degree Certificate: A foreign university-issued degree certificate must be certified by the Chinese embassy/Apostille institute or the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE).
2. Visa Application form affixed with a 2-inch blue background photo.
3. Visa Photo Receipt for Foreigners in Guangdong Province (广东省外国人签证数字相片采集检测回执).
4. Valid passport.
5. Temporary Accommodation Registration Form.
6. Physical Health Certificate from the Shenzhen Port Hospital.
7. Investigation form.
8. Additional supporting documents may be required.

The processing time is approximately 7 working days, and the government charges are 800 RMB for a duration of 1-3 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which university should I have graduated from? You should have graduated from a “first-class” university or an internationally renowned university.
2. How can I enter China before applying for this type of residence permit? You can apply for a visa (M/L/S) to enter China. Alternatively, if you’re from a visa-free country, you can enter China without a visa.
3. Can I apply for this residence permit without a visa in China? This primarily depends on your nationality. Applicants from the following countries can apply without a visa: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Brunei and Singapore.
4. How can I verify my major if it isn’t stated on my degree certificate? You must provide relevant documentation, such as transcripts or a university-provided proof certificate.
5. Can I use this residence permit to work in China? No, to work in China you must convert this permit to a work permit and a work-type residence permit.
6. Can I obtain a 5-year residence permit? This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
7. Do I need to leave China if I secure a job and need to apply for a work visa? No, it is not necessary to leave China for this purpose.”

For further information, please contact:

Contact: Olivia Shenzhen ZIX Consulting Co., Ltd. Email: [email protected] Mobile & WeChat: 13684991963 WeChat public account: ZixConsulting