Help! What do the Chinese people do??

[lele]

Hello All. I have a question posed to me just a few minutes ago by my dearest.

 

When she leaves China, since her Hukou is currently in the home that her grandparents (rest in peace) lived in, the rest of the family wants to sell the home. Given this makes sense (since she will not be living there, it makes sense to sell it) it presents another problem.

 

What should she do with her Hukou?

 

Since she and I would like to return to China in the future, to at least open a business somewhere, and possibly to live part of the time every year, I think that it would be very important for her to have a good Hukou, and her current city is a descent one to have. Additionally, by retaining a Hukou it allows me to apply in the future for a china green card if we live there part of the year (and in the US the rest of the year).

 

So, what do all of your Chinese people do? In general, do you just leave and loose your ID card? Are you able to establish your Hukou as an overseas person? And if the latter, what consequences (both positive and negative does it have for you)? How would it effect your future position?

 

Since her current Hukou city allows her to keep her Hukou there, we can easily stop the house from being sold, but it is not something which will benefit anyone. Another option is to have a family member currently in the town allow her to add her Hukou to their home, still in the city, in exchange for her releasing the house to be sold. In this case, is it easy for her to switch her Hukou (from one home in the same city, to another home in the same city)? Has anyone else done this and if so, what is the proper procedure? Can the police just do this, or is it more complex than that?

 

Thank you all very much for your help with this unusual and sensitive question.

 

LeLe

[lele]

Hmmm, it seems like many here have not had an issue with this. Would someone possibly be able to post a similar question on 001, or know if a similar question has been posted on 001 before, and if so, what the results are? I would ask my precious to do this directly, but she does not go to a wangba too frequently.

 

Thanks again!!!

[beijingjenny]

Lele, I think there was a discussion about hukou - seems people did different things. But I don't know much myself.

 

My reason for chiming in here is I wondered about your idea of getting a China green card. It's not so easy. Maybe it will be by the time you get back, but now requirements for spouses are 5 years married and 5 years living in China. Unless you're planning some major investment.

[lele]

Lele, I think there was a discussion about hukou - seems people did different things. But I don't know much myself.

 

My reason for chiming in here is I wondered about your idea of getting a China green card. It's not so easy. Maybe it will be by the time you get back, but now requirements for spouses are 5 years married and 5 years living in China. Unless you're planning some major investment.

Thank you very much for this insight Jenny!

 

Somethings about our situation:

1. I am working on a PhD currently, and until I am done (at least 4 years) I can not leave.

2. She wants to finish a degree befre we consider leaving, even part time, and this is something I support her on so strongly. So it will be at least 4 years, more possibly 5.

3. With a PhD from a well-known US University, I have heard it is easier. Is this true?

4. We were also looking at investing (in coordination with my father) in a medium-sized business. How large however must the investment be, currently, for it to count?

 

I do think that time will help. In fact, we prefer to take an open mind on this and know that since we have to wait at least 4-5 years, that things will work more smoothly then. I hope! :-)

 

Thanks for your suggestions...I will see what I can dig up in the archives on this. And thanks for your advice with the China Green Card. Hmm, it still is easier than obtaining a HK green card (requires 7 years).

 

LeLe

[Guest Gene]

LeLe,

 

I do not see a negative side of keeping her Hukou so why not just keep it?

 

[beijingjenny]

Lele - just poking around came up with this informative article (most are just propaganda about how great it is foreigners can get a green card ... yeah, for all 1% of them).

 

http://www.bjreview.com.cn/200440/Nation-200440©.htm

 

You can prob easily find more detail with some searching. I first read it in a Chinese news story, that listed in detail, but don't remember where.

[lele]

Lele - just poking around came up with this informative article (most are just propaganda about how great it is foreigners can get a green card ... yeah, for all 1% of them).

 

http://www.bjreview.com.cn/200440/Nation-200440©.htm

 

You can prob easily find more detail with some searching. I first read it in a Chinese news story, that listed in detail, but don't remember where.

Thank you Jenny!

 

BTW: here is the link I used for that article (slightly different): http://www.bjreview.com.cn/200440/Nation-200440©.htm

 

The article is detailed, and this I appreciate.

 

Actually, the requirements are MUCH EASIER than to get a HK Green Card, at least if you have a PhD. One of the requirements is that you have worked in a University or for one for 4 years. In HK, it is 7 for the same requirements.

 

But, it seems that the personal investment options are possible only for wealthy people (US$500,000 for some field to 2,000,000 in general), as well as the marriage options (can not have left china for 5 years??) are strict.

 

Thanks again!

[beijingjenny]

I was shaking my head at the fanfare about it. Though it is I guess a step forward from nothing. We all complain about the US visa process, but at least they have one, and it doesn't even require you to be married yet!