We have received a large number of inquiries from overseas Chinese Ph.D. holders, who have shown great interest in the uses and details of China's permanent residence identity card (commonly known as the Five-Star Card). Currently, although these Ph.D. holders are based overseas, they all have plans to return to China for development. Therefore, they are eager to stay informed about relevant policy updates. To meet this demand, SFBC has consolidated and responded to common questions, aiming to provide valuable reference information for the vast number of overseas Chinese Ph.D. holders.
我们在后台收到众多外籍华人博士的咨询，他们对中国永久居留身份证（俗称中国五星卡）的用途及注意细节表现出浓厚兴趣。目前，这些博士虽身处海外，但均有回国发展的计划，因此他们渴望提前掌握相关政策动态。为满足这一需求，SFBC对常见的疑问进行了整合与回应，期望能为广大海外华人博士提供有价值的参考信息。
FAQ for Foreign Chinese Ph.D. Holders Applying for Permanent Residency
外籍华人博士申请永久居留常见问题FAQ
Q: How is "foreign Chinese Ph.D. holder" defined?
Q: 外籍华人博士是如何定义的？
A: "Foreign Chinese" refers to former Chinese citizens and their descendants who have acquired foreign citizenship, or descendants of Chinese citizens with foreign citizenship. If their Ph.D. degree was obtained from an overseas institution, they will need to undergo academic qualification verification through the Ministry of Education of China.
A:外籍华人指的是已加入外国国籍的原中国公民及其外国籍后裔，或中国公民的外国籍后裔。若其博士学位是在海外院校获得的，则需通过中国教育部的学历认证。
A: "Foreign Chinese Ph.D. holders" should apply for permanent residence in China at the relevant government authorities responsible for immigration and residency affairs.
Q: 外籍华人博士应在哪里申请中国永久居留？
A: The immigration authorities have specified regional restrictions for foreign Chinese Ph.D. holders applying for permanent residence. Generally, applicants are required to submit relevant documents to the immigration authorities in the jurisdiction where their employing company is registered.
A:出入境管理部门已明确规定了外籍华人博士申请永久居留的地域限制。一般来说，申请人需将相关资料提交至其任职公司注册所在地的出入境管理部门。
Q: In addition to obtaining a doctoral degree, what other conditions do foreign Chinese PhDs need to meet when applying for permanent residency in China?
Q: 除了博士学位，外籍华人博士申请中国永居还需要满足哪些条件？
A: You still need to meet the following conditions:
A:还需满足以下条件：
● Hold a Chinese work residence permit;
● 持有中国工作类居留许可；
● Possess a valid "Foreigner's Work Permit".
● 拥有有效期内的《外国人工作许可证》。
Q: Do all doctoral degrees qualify for applying for permanent residence in the doctoral category?
Q: 所有博士学位都符合申请博士类永久居留的条件吗？
A: Not all doctoral degrees are eligible. A certificate of degree verification from the China Education Ministry's Service Center for Overseas Study is required to confirm the doctoral degree, and then application can be made.
A: 不是所有博士学位都符合。需经过中国教育部留学服务中心的学历认证，确认其为博士研究生学位后，方可申请。
Q: What are the special precautions or preparations foreign Chinese doctors need to take before applying?
Q: 外籍华人博士在申请前，有哪些事项需要特别注意或准备？
A:
● Confirm whether the Chinese household registration has been cancelled, and those who have not cancelled must first handle the cancellation procedures.
● 需确认是否已注销中国户籍，未注销者需先办理注销手续。
● Prepare the naturalization certificate/paper and the last Chinese passport, ensuring the authenticity of the immigrant status."
● 准备入籍证明/入籍纸及最后一本中国护照，确保移民身份的真实性。
● All certificates issued by foreign institutions must be certified by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the respective country or authenticated under the Hague Convention, and attention should be paid to their validity.
● 所有外国机构出具的凭证，需经中国驻该国使领馆认证或海牙认证，并留意其有效期。
● Foreign materials need to be translated into Chinese and sealed with the official seal of the translation company.
● 外文材料需翻译成中文，并加盖翻译公司公章。
● Before submitting the copy, please check the original document and provide A4-sized copies.
● 提交复印件前需核对原件，并提供A4规格的复印件。
● To print the Chinese name on the permanent residence certificate, please clearly indicate in the application form.
● 若需在永居证上打印中文姓名，需在申请表中明确说明。
Q: What documents does a foreign Chinese doctoral student need to prepare to apply for permanent residence in China?
Q: 申请中国永久居留，外籍华人博士需要准备哪些资料？
A:
Please prepare the following materials:
需准备以下资料：
● Application for Permanent Residence of Foreigners in China
● 《外国人在中国永久居留申请表》；
● A copy of the valid passport identification page and residence permit;
● 有效护照资料页和居留许可复印件；
● Foreign Chinese certificate;
● 外籍华人证明；
● Doctoral degree certificate and certification materials from foreign universities;
● 博士学位证书及国外高校的认证材料；
● Copies of the business license, employment certificate, and Foreigner's Work Permit of the workplace;
● 工作单位的营业执照副本、在职证明及《外国人工作许可证》等；
● Foreign criminal record certificate;
● 境外无犯罪记录证明；
● Medical examination certificate (must be issued within the past 6 months before acceptance).
● 体检证明（需在受理前6个月内出具）。
Q: What are the advantages of applying for Chinese permanent residency for foreign-born Chinese doctoral students compared to other categories?
Q: 外籍华人博士申请中国永久居留相比其他类别有何优势？
A:
Its advantage lies in:
其优势在于：
● No continuous residence or employment history required in China.
● 无在华连续居留或工作的年限要求；
● Apply together with your foreign spouse and minor children.
● 可与外籍配偶及未成年子女一同申请；
● No requirement for continuous payment of individual income tax.
● 无连续缴纳个税的要求。
Q: What amenities and advantages will foreign-born Chinese doctoral students enjoy after successful application?
Q: 成功申请后，外籍华人博士将享受哪些便利与优势？
A:
After the successful application, you will enjoy the following conveniences and advantages:
成功申请后，将享受以下便利与优势：
Residence stability: No longer subject to residence period limitations, no need to apply for extension or visa.
● 居留稳定：不再受居留期限限制，无需申请延期或签证。
● Freedom of entry and exit: No entry ban restrictions, can freely enter and exit with a passport and permanent residence permit.
● 出入境自由：不受入境禁令限制，可凭护照和永居证自由出入。
● Employment freedom: No work permit is required, and you can freely choose your employer.
● 就业自由：无需办理工作许可，可自由选择就业单位。
● Convenience of children's education: Children can enroll in schools nearby and participate in the national college entrance examination.
● 子女教育便利：子女可就近入学，并参加国内高考。
Social security participation: You can participate in social security and enjoy benefits such as pensions and housing provident funds.
● 社会保障参与：可参加社保，享受养老金和住房公积金等福利。
● Housing convenience: Foreigners can purchase commercial houses within China's territory without residency and social security restrictions.
● 购房便利：可在中国境内购买商品房，不受居留和社保限制。
● Convenient transportation: You can use the self-service channel to efficiently handle hotel check-in and other procedures.
● 交通便利：可使用自助通道，高效办理酒店入住等手续。
