How do foreigners holding Chinese "green cards" enjoy national treatment?

How do foreigners holding Chinese “green cards” enjoy national treatment? Xinhuanet, Beijing, December 11 (Reporter Zhao Chao) Recently, the Central Organization Department, Human Resources Society...

Why should our country improve the "green card" system?

The competition for comprehensive national strength in today's world is ultimately a competition for talents, especially high-level talents. In recent years, with the sustained and rapid development of my country's economy and society, the demand for high-level talents has become increasingly urgent, and the number of high-level foreign talents who have come to my country to start businesses and develop has increased rapidly. Especially after 2008, the work of introducing high-level overseas talents led by the "Thousand Talents Plan" has been advancing rapidly. More than 2,700 high-level overseas talents have been introduced at the central level. The number of overseas full professors introduced in more than three years has been dozens of times that of the previous 30 years, which has aroused strong repercussions at home and abroad. According to statistics, cities in various provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and above have introduced more than 20,000 high-level overseas talents since 2009. Overseas high-level talents have gradually become the frontrunners and new force in improving my country's independent innovation capabilities. They have become an important part of my country's talent team and a special talent resource for modernization.

The "green card" system is an important system for European and American developed countries to compete for talents on a global scale and attract and retain high-level talents. For example, the United States issues more than 1 million "green cards" every year, including 140,000 "green cards" for high-level professional immigrants. Our country's card program was implemented by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2004. Currently, nearly 5,000 foreigners have gone through permanent residence procedures, a considerable number of whom are high-level overseas talents and their families. The program has become an important system for attracting high-level overseas talents in my country. With the rapid development of my country's overseas high-level talent introduction in recent years, my country's "green card" threshold is too high, the procedures are complex, the scope of application is small, and the relevant benefits are not clear enough. These problems have become increasingly prominent and need to be solved urgently.

After more than two years of research, discussion, drafting and other stages, 25 departments including the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the Ministry of Public Security jointly issued the "Measures" on the basis of listening to opinions from many parties and repeatedly revising and improving them to further attract high-level foreign talents to work in China, solve their worries in work and life, and create a good policy environment to give full play to their role. The promulgation of the "Measures" is of great significance for our country to actively respond to international talent competition, strengthen the construction of high-level talent teams, and promote the upgrading of industrial structure.

What are the conveniences for entry and exit of "green card" holders?

The "Measures" stipulate that "there is no limit on the period of residence in China. You can enter and exit China with a valid passport and "Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners" without additional visa and other procedures; your spouse and immediate family members can apply for corresponding visas, residence documents or "Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners" in accordance with relevant regulations." The "Measures" also stipulates that "the entry and exit procedures for personal use items shall be handled in accordance with the relevant customs regulations for settled passengers." Therefore, foreigners who settle in China after obtaining China’s “green card” should be regarded as “settled tourists”. Compared with "resident tourists" of Chinese nationality, "settled tourists" are more convenient to bring into the country the daily necessities needed by themselves or their families during their stay in the country.

What are the conveniences for "green card" holders to work in China?

Articles 4 to 7 of the "Measures" clarify the various benefits that "green card" holders can enjoy when working in China. Article 4 clarifies that "employment in China is exempt from the need for a "Foreigner Employment Permit"; those who meet the conditions can be given priority to apply for a "Foreign Expert Certificate", "Returning (Coming to China) Expert Certificate" and Residence Permit for Talents from Various Regions"; Article 5 stipulates that "RMB that can be obtained legally can be used for foreign direct investment in China", which can reduce the tax and investment costs Exchange costs; Article 6 stipulates, "For those who invest in projects or establish foreign-invested enterprises in China, the development and reform, commerce, industry and commerce, foreign exchange and other departments shall simplify the verification and approval procedures in accordance with the relevant regulations on foreign investment management to improve efficiency"; Article 7 stipulates, "You may participate in the review of qualifications for professional and technical positions and the qualification examination for professional and technical personnel in accordance with regulations."

>What are the living conditions for Green Card holders?

Regarding children's schooling, the "Measures" stipulates that "if children who follow migrant children enroll in compulsory education and meet the conditions, they can enjoy relevant policies. The education administrative department of their place of residence will handle the admission and transfer procedures in accordance with the principle of enrolling in the nearest school, and no fees other than those prescribed by the state will be charged." This is the first time that it has been clarified at the national level that children of "green card" holders can receive compulsory education in their place of residence and enjoy the treatment of local residents. Since the admission requirements for foreign students at the higher education stage in my country are more applicable to the children of foreign talents, the current policy is still implemented.

Regarding participation in social security, the "Measures" clearly state that a "green card" can be used as a valid identity document to handle social insurance participation procedures. At the same time, it embodies the principle of "national treatment" and clarifies that "green card" holders who live in the country but are not employed and meet relevant requirements can also participate in my country's basic medical care for urban residents and social pension insurance for urban residents and enjoy social insurance benefits.

The "Measures" stipulate that "housing provident funds can be deposited and used at the place of work in accordance with the "Housing Provident Fund Management Regulations" and other regulations. When leaving the area, the housing provident fund can be withdrawn or transferred according to regulations." That is, "green card" holders enjoy the same treatment as Chinese citizens in terms of housing provident funds.

The "Measures" also stipulate that foreigners holding "green cards" enjoy the same treatment as Chinese citizens in paying income tax, handling financial services, conducting domestic business travel, and applying for motor vehicle driving licenses.