1. How to get permanent residence permit?
You should submit: (a) Valid passport or equivalent; (b) Health certi_ cate issued at state level; (c) Credentials proving no criminal record by China embassies or consulates; (d) Two passport photos, no hat; (e) Other relevant credentials if required.
Fees: The fee for the new green card certificate is 300 yuan. The cost of getting a new card is 1500 yuan. In order to qualify for permanent residence status, you must fulfill at least one of the following criteria:
(1) Be a high-level foreign expert holding a post which promotes China's economic, scientific and technological development, or social progress.
(2) Have made outstanding contributions of special importance to China.
(3) Have made a large direct investment of over US$ 500,000 in China.
(4) Have come to China to be with your family, such as spouse, dependent minors or senior citizens.
2. What are the application procedures for permanent residence permit?
(1) Submit an application to a city-level Public Security Bureau or at the county-level branch of the Public Security Bureau directly responsible for the community of the applicant's major investment or long-term residence.
(2) Provide the speci_ ed application documents.
(3) The public security body shall investigate and verify the conditions of the applicant according to the specified pre-requisites.
(4) The local department will submit the application to the Ministry of Public Security for examination and approval.
(5) The ministry shall decide whether to approve or reject the application for permanent residence permit within 6 months of receiving the application.
(6) Upon the approval of the Ministry of Public Security, the applicant will be granted a Foreigner Permanent Residency Permit by the Ministry of Public Security.
A Chinese permanent residence card is not equivalent to Chinese nationality. Presently China does not recognize dual or multiple nationalities. Thus, if one wants to become a Chinese national, original nationality status would have to be cancelled.
Those who obtain a Chinese permanent residence card should not stay in China less than three months in a year or less than a year in _ ve years. Special causes will need approval from city level public security bureaus.
Expats with a Chinese permanent residence card will still need to observe rules concerning traveling, temporary living in other cities, and visiting areas closed to the public.
3. How to have my visa extended?
Foreigners who want to stay in China beyond the duration of their visa need to apply for an extension.
The visa extension application should be submitted to the Local Public Security Bureau 7 days before the expiration date of the visa. Foreigners who want their visa to be extended
should provide the following evidential materials:
(1) Valid passport and visa
(2) A completed application form for visa extension
(3) Reason for the extension. The length of the extension depends on the type of visa and multiple entry visas cannot be extended. You are advised not to overstay the duration of your visa or fail to apply for an extension before your visa expires as you risk being heavily fined and have your travel plans disrupted.
4. How to apply for a China driver's license?
Foreigners from any country who want to drive in China must apply for a driver license. International driver licenses and oversea driver license are not recognized because China has not signed the convention which created IDPS (International Driving Permits).
But an IDP can be converted to a China driver's license, with an additional paper test. Applicants should go to the motor vehicle administration to apply. Holder of a valid foreign driver's license can apply for a license to drive the same type of vehicle(s) listed on his/her foreign driver's license.
It is now possible to get a permanent driver's license very easily in major cities like Beijing. You can get one at Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3 without any tests.
Actually, for getting a regular license may be complicated.
You need to prepare following documents to apply China driver's license.
Required documents:
(1) Driver's license application form
(2) Applicant's original and photo copy identification documents
(3) Original health certificate issued by hospital of county level or above. Holder of a valid foreign driver's license from foreign embassies, consulates and international organizations China's o_ ce needs not to provide health certificate.
(4) Original foreign driver's license and photo copy. Driver's license in non-Chinese language must attach a Chinese translation.
(5) 5 1-inch color photos with a white background
(6) A copy of the passport main page
(7) A copy of the valid Chinese visa
(8) A copy of the latest entry stamp in your passport
Testing:
(1) After the Motor Vehicle Administration accepts the application, the applicant may reserve a time for the Course 1 test. If applying to drive large-size passenger vehicles, tractor, mid-size passenger vehicles, mid or large-size freight vehicles, the applicant must also reserve a time to take the Course 3 test
(2) Course 1 and 3 test can be taken one time, and may be re-taken one time. If the applicant fails the exam twice, the tests are over. He/she has to reapply for the tests. But the test for Course 3 must be reserved 20 days later. Note, within validity period of 'Driving Test Permit', any test that was passed serves as the applicant's current status.
(3) Applicant who exhibits inappropriate or fraudulent behavior during the exam process will have his/ her qualification for the test will be nullified, and all previous results will be invalidated.
License issuance:
After the applicant has passed all exams, the Motor Vehicle Administration will issue the driver's license within five business days. For employees of foreign embassies, consulates and international organizations China's office, driver's license will be issued by the administration within 5 working days after acceptance in accordance with the principle of diplomatic reciprocity.
5. How to get driver's license renew?
Conditions: 90 days before the driver's license expires. Driver's license has not been put in a suspended, canceled or revoked state.
Required documentation: Driver's license application form. Applicant and, if applicable, authorized agent's original identification document. Original health examination certificate issued by hospital of county level or above. Original driver's license (Applicants should provide a translated version if it is not in Chinese). Three 1-inch color photos with white background.
6. How to learn Chinese for free in China?
Many Chinese, especially young students, are eager to improve their spoken English. This situation is ideal, as language exchange with a native speaker of Chinese is one of the best ways to learn the language.
7. Do I need a local guide during my tour?
If you want to do lots of touristy or shopping, you'd better have one. They can save you money on tickets of museums and can help you get good prices at the markets.
8. How to tell a cab driver where to go when he or she can't speak English?
Ask someone to write down the address in Chinese to show the cab driver. When hailing a taxi, watch for a light on the passenger side of the dashboard. This indicates that the taxi is available. The light is either red or green, depending on the company. Never get in an unmarked taxi cab, or you will be charged more than you should. Make sure they always use the meter.
9. What are the emergency telephone numbers in China?
110--Police, 119--Fire, 120--Emergency, 114—Directory inquires and information, 121--Weather.
10. When are the peak tourist seasons?
Chinese New Year: Date varies but generally late January or early February. China National Day: First week of October. Avoid travelling during these periods.
11. Can I drink tap water in China?
No, usually tap water is not drinkable. You are recommended to drink bottled water instead. Always boil the water if your only choice is tap water.
12. Can I bargain in China?
Open air markets, privately run stores are best for bargaining. (Large department stores have set prices.) Remember to establish a friendly rapport first. You are creating a relationship with the merchant, not a price war. Smiling, being friendly, and offering to buy more for a better price. And don't be afraid to ask, "Can you offer me a better price?"
13. How to open bank accounts in China?
Opening a Chinese bank account is actually an easy process. The only actual needed document for a basic account is your passport. When you enter the bank, you can head for an information counter and ask the staff to help you with the form. The most important thing you should pay attention to is the name. Make sure your name on the form matches the name on your passport exactly. If you want internet or mobile banking, you can request these at the same time.
You'd better go to the nearest bank from your living place, because there are some services you have to turn up at the branch in which you open your account, such as reset your password.
14. How to see a doctor in China?
The Chinese medical system comprises mostly of public and private hospitals. Small and personalized clinics are still uncommon. If you've decided to see a doctor in a public hospital, register first. Treatments are mostly Western medical techniques including diagnosis, medication, injection or the necessary scans. Your doctor may give you a prescription for you to buy medicine in a drugstore, most of the time at the lobby of the out-patient section building. If possible have a Chinese person accompany you as the system can be confusing and often the hospitals are quite crowded.
15. How to do laundry in China?
There are few coin-operated laundries in China. Chinese people go to laundry shops only for dry cleaning. It will take a few days to get your clothes back, especially in winter days. Chinese people always do their own laundry at home with washing machines. But most washing machines don't have dryers. Laundry in China is hung outside to dry. Of course 5-star hotels provide laundry service, but the cost will be high. If you stay in a hotel room just for a couple of days, you are recommended to do your smalls yourself and hang them in the bathroom.
16. How to rent a house in China?
There are many real estate agencies oriented to foreigners in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in China. You can easily rent an apartment or a villa through them. If you can find an apartment offered directly by the landlord, you can save your fees for real estate agencies. But it is very hard if you can't speak Chinese.
Rented apartments in big cities are generally well equipped and are often offered fully furnished. Furnishings normally include internet access, refrigerator, microwave, hot-water heater, television, washing machine, air conditioning and kitchen appliances. Landlords will ask for a deposit of between one and three months' rent as security against any damage that you may cause to the property. The deposit should be refunded once you have returned the property in good condition and settled any outstanding utility bills. The rent for the property is paid in advance, directly into the landlord's bank account, on either a monthly or a quarterly basis. But there is still something you should pay attention to before renting a house.
(1) When you start your apartment hunting, make sure the location is close to your work place or the public transportation is convenient.
(2) Check the apartment carefully before renting, for example the water system and electrical system (lights and plugs). Test the hot water and make sure the toilet ushes. Once you have signed your lease, it will be very di¬fficult to get the landlord to x those problems and in most cases they will not even pay to have them fixed.
(3) Read over the contract carefully. If you are dealing with a reputable agency, or at least one that deals with foreigners regularly, they should provide you with a contract that contains English and Chinese.
If no lease contract concluded in written, the lease shall be deemed as unfixed term lease.
(4) Confirm the status of the landlord. The person who shows the house to you, signs the lease contract with you does not mean that he is the real property owner. Please confirm that you rent from the real property owner. You should check and keep the copies of these documents: real estate certificate to indicate the person renting you the house is the real owner, ID card of the landlord.
(5) You are recommended to rent a "clear" house, without any mortgage or dispute on the property.
17. How to buy property in China?
According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban- Rural Development's regulation, only foreigners who have lived in China for more than one year can buy property, with the purchase capped at one apartment for self use. Foreign firms or individuals will have to use their real names when buying residential houses. And foreigners will not be allowed to buy residential housing that is not for their "own use or own habitation." Foreign businesses or individuals buying Chinese property not for their own use should set up a China-registered company to handle the purchase.
18. How to marry a Chinese national in China?
If a foreigner marries a Chinese national within the Chinese territory, in line with China's Marriage Law, both parties should register with the Division of Foreign-Related Marriage Registration of the Beijing Civil A airs Bureau.
Step 1: Submit the Required Documents
The Sino-foreign couple must go together, in person to the appropriate marriage registration o¬ffice and submit a (1) completed marriage registration application form (available at the marriage registration o¬ffice). (The appropriate marriage registration o¬ffice will be the one in the jurisdiction in which the Chinese partner is registered [the location of the hukou].) Together with the application form, the couple must submit a number of other documents: Chinese Partner
(2) A certificate of marriage ability (obtainable from his/ her work place)
(3) A certificate of birth
(4) Household registration book (hukou)
(5) A health certificate (obtainable from a regionallevel local hospital)
(6) A letter from the parents of the Chinese partner giving permission for their child to marry a foreigner (this letter should include the index fingerprint of both parents below their signatures and date) Foreign Partner
(7) A current passport
(8) Chinese residence permit
(9) A health certificate from a local hospital designated by the marriage registration o¬ffice
(10) Three photos of the marrying couple, taken together
(11) A registration fee
(12) A certification of marriage ability Item 12 requires further explanation. Basically, the marriage registration office needs a form from the foreign partner's home government stating he/she is not already married in his/her home country. Every foreign government has its own version of this type of form with its own requirements for obtaining one. Couples will need to check the embassy website of the foreign partner's home country in China for details on how to obtain this kind of certification. (Chinese translations must accompany foreign language documents.) Note: Application requirements may vary from of- ce to o¬ ce. When an individual visits the appropriate marriage registration o¬ ce to pick up an application form and nd out which local hospital(s) the foreign partner must get checked at, he/she should also check to see if the o¬ffice's requirements differ from those listed here.
Step 2: Wait for the Good News After the establishment of the new marriage law, it now takes the marriage registration o¬ ce about an hour or so to review the submitted documents and approve of the application.
Step 3: Congratulations Once the marriage registration office approves of the application and registers the marriage, it will issue a marriage certificate to be picked up by the couple.
19. What items cannot be taken out of China?
(1) Weapons, articles that appear to be or are replicas of weapons, ammunitions and explosives, including reworks.
(2) Counterfeit currency and fake securities.
(3) Printed articles or films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser optic disks, computer memory media and other articles which are considered socially disruptive or harmful to China's politics, economy, culture and morality.
(4) Poisons and poisonous liquids
(5) Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana and other narcotics or hallucinogens.
(6) Animal and plant products that carry dangerous germs, pests and bacteria.
(7) Food, drugs and other articles which are harmful to the health of human beings or animals or which come from infectious disease-stricken regions or which are known to be disease-spreading.
(8) Manuscripts, printed materials, films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser optic discs, computer memory media and other articles whose contents are related to China's State secrets.
(9) Antiques and relics of extreme cultural significance.
(10) Endangered species of fauna and ora (including chemical and scientific specimens) as well as their seeds and reproductive materials.
The following items may be subject to restricted exit:
(1) Precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum.
(2) Chinese national currency in amounts in excess of RMB 6,000.
(3) Foreign currencies and securities in foreign currencies.
(4) Radio transceivers and secure communication devices.
(5) Rare Chinese medicinal herbs and materials.
(6) Antiques.
20. What items should not be brought into china?
(1) Weapons, articles that appear to be or are replicas of weapons, ammunitions and explosives, including reworks.
(2) Counterfeit currency and fake securities.
(3) Printed articles or films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser optic disks, computer memory media and other articles which are considered socially disruptive or harmful to China's politics, economy, culture or morality.
(4) Poisons and poisonous liquids.
(5) Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana and other narcotics or hallucinogens.
(6) Animal and plant products that carry dangerous germs, pests and bacteria.
(7) Food, drugs and other articles which are harmful to the health of human beings or animals or which come from infectious disease-stricken regions or which are known to be disease-spreading. The following items are subject to restricted entry:
(1) Radio transceivers and secure communication devices.
(2) Cigarettes and alcohol.
(3) Endangered species of fauna and ora (including chemical and scientific specimens) as well as their seeds and reproductive materials.
(4) Amounts over RMB 6, 000 in Chinese Yuan RMB.
21. Can I take my pet to China?
According to the Law on the Entry and Exit of Animal and Plant Quarantine, cats or dogs are the only pets allowed for entry but must be declared. Each passenger is allowed to bring one pet only, with an up-to-date rabies vaccination certificate and health certificate issued by the relevant quarantine government department in the country of origin. Furthermore, the pet and pet owner must be on board the same light.
In Beijing, upon arrival at the airport, an o¬ficial from the department will await to take your pet to a quarantine facility for 30 days. They will inform you of the date at which you can claim your pet. Certain fees must be paid which vary according to local regulations, but amount to at least 1,000 yuan. In Shanghai, the quarantine period is reduced to 7 days with a 2,000 yuan fee.
Following quarantine, the pet (only dog) must be registered at the local police department.
Consultation telephone:
Beijing: 010-6459 6302
Shanghai: 021-6854 9999
It is also possible to take a pet from one city to another by plane and train. Rabies vaccination and health certificates must be issued by the local quarantine government department of the city of departure. These are valid for 7 days.
22. What should I know about Chinese toilets?
You can find public restroom in the airports, railway stations, hotels, fast food restaurants, shopping centers, subway stations and most of the tourist attractions. Restroom in China may contain Asian style toilets, western style toilets or a combination of both styles. People still use squat toilets in Asian style toilets. It's really not that bad and many argue it's actually healthier to go this way than sitting down. You are recommended to take pack tissues when going to Asian style toilets. Lots of public restrooms don't provide it.
23. Tips for living in Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China, and also the political, educational and cultural centre of the country and as such it is rich in historical sites and important government and cultural institutions.
Transportation
Beijing as of 2011 has an estimated 5 million registered cars on its roads, so tra¬ c congestion is widespread. Tra¬ffic in the city centre is often gridlocked and is only predicted to get worse as the number of vehicles on Beijing's roads increase. Metro travel is generally fast, clean, economical and during peak periods congested in Beijing.
The most useful lines are Line 1, which runs east to west and passes under Tian'anmen Square and goes to many tourist sights; Line 2, which is a loop line following the old city wall and serves the Central and North train stations; and line 5 which runs north-south and also serves numerous tourist sights. Transfers between all lines are free. A at fare of ¥2 with unlimited transfers applies to all lines, except the express link to the airport, which costs ¥25. The electronic commuter fare card, Yikatong pre-paid card is accepted on all lines. It has a ¥20 refundable deposit. Swipe the card at the entrance turnstile and again upon exiting. The use of the pre-paid card does not reduce the subway fare although it does dramatically reduce bus fares, by 60%.
Must see places
Tian'anmen Square- The centre of the city and most important landmark is Tian'anmen Square. This is the world's largest public square and a must see for all visitors from abroad and from elsewhere in China.
Forbidden City (the Palace Museum)- The Forbidden City was home to the Imperial Court during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. With over 9,000 rooms and over 250 acres, this large palace building was built between 1406 and 1420. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as you have to walk a lot. Great Wall- There are mainly eight sections of the Great Wall crossing the northern part of Beijing for 600 kms. The eight sections are Badaling, Juyongguan, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, and Simatai. The Badaling section is the most famous, but also over-restored and crowded.
Summer Palace- With masterly design and artistic architecture integrating the highlight of Chinese garden arts, the Summer Palace has earned a title
of "Royal Garden Museum". It is a royal garden most completely preserved with richest landscapes and large compact buildings.
Hutong (Houhai Area)- Hutong is a typical lane or small street in Beijing that originated during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). People say that the real culture of Beijing is "the culture of hutong" and "the culture of courtyard". Where there is a hutong, there is a story.
24. Tips for living in Guangzhou
Guangzhou was known in the West as "Canton". The food and the language of the area are still known as "Cantonese". It is the third largest city in mainland China after Beijing and Shanghai. The city is famous
for foreign trade and business doings.
Transportation
Guangzhou has a fairly e¬ cient and rapidly expanding public transportation system. If you intend to stay in Guangzhou for an extensive period of time, purchase a multi-purpose Ling Nan Tong – Yang Cheng Tong stored value card, similar to the Octopus Card in Hong Kong. The card can now be used in selected metro areas in the Guangdong province. It can be used not only for public transportation (bus, subway, parking meters and some taxis), but also for public phones and designated shops, places of interests and certain vending machines. The card includes a ¥30 refundable deposit. You can purchase the cards in many places, such as some 7-11s, Metro customer service counters, and Tiantian Laundry. However, returning your card at the end of the trip is a hassle, because such service locations are limited. The best place to do so include at the Yang Cheng Tong service center at metro station Gongyuanqian Exit J or metro station Tiyu Xi Exit G. It may be worth it to simply keep the card as a souvenir. Guangzhou's metro system covers much of the city center and is growing rapidly outward. The fare ranges from ¥2 to ¥19.
Eat
Cantonese cuisine is well-known for its blend of color, fragrance, taste and presentation, and it is ranked among the top four in the country. In particular, dim sum, a delicate pastry, is famous for being simple yet delicious. Local customs, as well as a long history of contact with the West compared to other regions in China, have played a major role in the development and diversity of Cantonese cuisine.
Cantonese cuisine is also famous throughout China for another reason - Cantonese people eat absolutely anything, and it is often said that Cantonese people eat anything that has four legs other than a table, anything that flies other than an aeroplane, and anything that swims other than a submarine. In addition to that, various internal organs of animals are regularly eaten, such as the liver, kidneys, heart and even brain. This means that Cantonese cuisine is one of, if not the most adventurous in China due to their expansive use of exotic ingredients, and their extremely broad definition of what is considered edible.
25. Tips for living in Shanghai
Shanghai is the biggest commercial and financial center in China, and also a very important international port city in the Western Paci c Ocean area.
Transportation
You are recommended to take metro as your transportation tools in Shanghai. Taking the metro is a better choice to get around Shanghai. Because the metro system covers the main places in Shanghai and it is a quick way to reach places where you want to go, with the advantage of paying much less than for a taxi ride. Up till now, the Shanghai Metro operates 11 lines. In the range of 200 – 500 meters to the metro station, there're signboards pointing to the station.
Every rail transit station normally has more than two accesses, and every access has its own number, which includes metro LOGO, metro line number, name of station and the access number in both Chinese and English.
Types of ticket
Standard ticket: by this ticket the passengers can take line 1-11.
Smart card: by this card the passengers can take line 1-11, some buses, taxi.
One-day ticket: by this ticket, after the passenger first get into the station, he/she can take line1-11 in 24 hours.
The fare ranges from ¥3 to ¥9.
Where to live
Places where foreigners prefer to live are Xuhui, Changning, Jin'an, and Putuo districts, etc. Because all these are very glorious and busy places with a lot of famed stores and busy streets locate there. A lot of foreigners have settled there and many of them have accustomed to being neighbors with local people. For example, Xujiahui in Xuhui district, it is one of the central business areas in Shanghai. And besides its bustling business, there are also many beautiful and classical houses there which were built in the early years of last century.
