China to lower threshold on Green Card applications by foreigners

BEIJING - Authorities in China have drafted new regulations on permanent residence for foreigners and will consider lowering the application and approval threshold. Launched in 2004, China’s green card policy provides permanent residency for high-end foreign experts, people with large investments or outstanding contributions to China.

The card is notoriously difficult to get, and in some cases can take years. Even after receiving a green card, many foreigners cannot receive the services that come with it. as many local organisations do not recognise the green card. So far, only 6,000 expatriates have received green cards, a small portion of the 613,000 overseas professionals in China last year, more than 60% of whom had worked longer than three months on the Mainland.

China is placing a priority on courting more high-level foreign talent to speed up its economic and social development, with a special focus on those with expertise in the environmental pollution and pollution treatment sectors.