How foreign minors can apply for permanent residence in China

en.hainan.gov.cn

Updated: 2026-03-17

A foreign national displays a "five-star card" — China's Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. [Photo/VCG]

If one parent is a Chinese citizen and the child holds a foreign passport and is under the age of 18, the child is eligible to apply for permanent residence in China through the family reunion channel.

The status is officially granted through the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, often referred to as the "five-star card", which allows long-term residence in China for foreign nationals while retaining their foreign nationality. For children, it can make studying, living and working in China much easier in the future.

Below is a practical guide to the eligibility, procedures and key points to know.

1. Who can apply?
In general, the following conditions must be met:

• The child holds foreign nationality.
The applicant must hold a valid foreign passport.

• At least one parent is a Chinese citizen.
The Chinese parent needs to have household registration (hukou) in China.

• The applicant is under 18 years old.
This is the most important requirement. Once the child turns 18, this application channel is no longer available.

• No unresolved nationality status issues.
If the child also holds a Chinese Travel Document, authorities may determine that nationality status issues must first be addressed.

2. What if the child has nationality status issues?
Some children born overseas may hold both a foreign passport and a Chinese Travel Document. This could happen if the Chinese parent had not yet obtained permanent residency abroad at the time of the child's birth.

In such cases, the child may first need to complete a nationality status confirmation process before applying for permanent residence.

This may involve:
A. Applying for nationality determination with the immigration or public security authorities
B. Completing procedures to renounce Chinese nationality, if required
C. Applying for permanent residence after the status issue is resolved

Because this process may take time, it is strongly advised that families begin preparing the application before the child turns 16.

3. Where should the application be submitted?
Permanent residence applications are usually handled in the Chinese parent's location of household registration.

Important points to note:

• Visas or residence permits can often be processed at the place of long-term residence.
• Permanent residence applications are generally handled in the Chinese parent's location of household registration.
• Applications are processed by the exit and entry administration of the public security authorities.

4. Who needs to be present?
In most cases, the following people need to appear in person:

• The child
• Both parents

Additional documentation may be required for special circumstances:

• Divorced parents — custody agreements or court rulings may be required.
• One parent abroad — a notarized authorization letter may be needed.

5. How long does the process take?
Processing time depends mainly on whether nationality status issues are involved.

• No nationality issues: The process usually takes about 6-9 months if all the documents are complete.
• Nationality issues involved: The process may take around one year.

For this reason, families are generally advised to begin preparing well before the child approaches the age of 18.

6. Can the child study abroad after obtaining permanent residence?

Yes.

Holding Chinese permanent residence does not prevent the child from studying overseas or living abroad for extended periods.

Permanent residents generally need only to meet the minium stay requirements in China each year in order to maintain their permanent residence status — not less than three months.

7. What are the benefits of obtaining Chinese permanent residence?
Children with permanent residence can enjoy many conveniences when living in China.

• Education
They can attend public schools and receive compulsory education.

• Healthcare
They may participate in China's public medical insurance systems.

• Future employment
When they become adults, they can work in China without applying for a foreign work permit.

• Daily life
It's easier to open bank accounts, buy property, apply for loans and obtain a driver's license.

• Travel
Permanent residents can enter and leave China multiple times using their foreign passport together with the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, without a visa.

8. In what situations might an application not be accepted?

Applications are generally not accepted if:

• The child is already 18 years old.
• Neither parent is a Chinese citizen with household registration.
• Required documents cannot be provided or are found to be fraudulent.
• The applicant has a record of serious violations of Chinese laws or regulations.
• Proof of the parent-child relationship cannot be established.

9. What documents are usually required?
Typical application materials include:

• The child's foreign passport and valid visa or residence permit.
• Birth certificate (overseas documents usually require notarization and authentication).
• Parents' ID cards, household registration booklet and marriage certificate.
• Notarized or authenticated proof of the parent-child relationship.
• The child's photographs and accommodation registration.
• If nationality issues exist: nationality determination or renunciation documents.