Chinese Resident Visa

[Jason+Joanna]

How does one get a Chinese Resident Visa ?

 

buy property ? Marry a citizen of China in China ?

 

If I can get it, can future kids get it too ?

[beijingjenny]

Depends what you mean. With a Z (work) visa, you get a residence permit. If you want a longer term "green card", you better be a big investor, or married AND living in China for five years.

[Jason+Joanna]

No, not a work visa. I am talking about for retirement, for example.

 

Can I marry outside of China (which is the plan --- i.e. K1 visa ) ?

 

Can future children be "grandfathered" into the visa ?

 

How do get a visa to stay 5 years in the first place to get the "green card" ?

[Feathers268]

Good questions Jason,

I have thought of similar if this visa thing blows up in Jen's and my face.

[Jason+Joanna]

Good questions Jason,

I have thought of similar if this visa thing blows up in Jen's and my face.

Thanks, Jim.

 

That is part of my thinking, but the other part is that Joannas mom offered to help raise future children. Actually, I think it would be a good experience for them. Teach them very good values, traditions, the languauge, ect, ect, ect.

 

But, the catch is how to go about it ?

[James]

I don't know about permanent residency. I do know that it's quite easy to get jobs teaching English in China, and they sponsor your visa. They are typically on one-year renewable contracts.

[beijingjenny]

Yes, you will have to be living on another type of visa of course for the five years. Whether work visa or tourist visa I don't know if it matters. Your wife can contact the PSB to get more information. Of course, the rules are subject to change at any time. I'm hoping they relax a bit in the near future.

[Cody]

As far as living in China goes, there seems to be really good opportunities for native English speakers to work as teachers. Check out www.eslcafe.com

 

In addition, China's economy is growing really fast... and where there is growth, there is wealth to be made. I have often wondered about the possibility of taking American business franchise ideas to China. For example, we know that McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Starbucks, and 7-Eleven are there. How about bringing the next big thing over?

[Guest aosnow]

subway, the sammy shop flopped

[lynne]

New franchises were opening up all the time in Xiamen when I was there. The last one I saw was Kenny Roger's Roasters which seemed to be doing pretty well. I think there are a lot of opportunities for opening up your own business in China. Many foreigners opened up restaurants, some did really well, others lasted only months. English speaking cafes seemed to open up all at once, I think only one is still in business now. Depending on what city your living in there should be some other job opportunities besides teaching English. Especially if you live in a city with a lot of international companies, or a major port, you could work as a trading agent.

 

-Lynne

[lynne]

Actually, even though it is really easy to find work in China it isn't so easy to get a Z work visa. I had always thought that you should get a Z visa and resident card while waiting for the 5 years but I am not sure. If thats true could be a problem.

 

In my experience few employers in China have the permission to hire foreigners and get Z visas. When I went to China at first I was insistant on doing things legally and having a Z visa and residence book. I got one, but my employer lied and said I was working doing quality control at an electronics factory in a totally different city when I was teaching English at the time. I think most places, especially English Schools don't bother even trying to get these requirements because most people don't care what visa they have and they hardly ever get caught. Although someone I worked with who had a business visa got a visit from the police, the employer made up a big story and got out of any real trouble. You also get people coming buy sometimes to check your residence books and IDs.

 

I am not sure about the people who retire in China. I know that when Chinese resident would buy an apartment then they could get a residence card for that city.