Foreigner's Permanent Residence ID Card

China grants permanent residence to a small number of foreigners. Applicants must obey Chinese law, be in good health, have no criminal record and fit one category: stable direct investors with three years of good tax records; senior staff (deputy general manager or above, or associate senior professional title, or equivalent salary) for four consecutive years with at least three years' residence in the last four; people with outstanding contributions; spouses of Chinese citizens or permanent residents married at least five years with five consecutive years' residence (at least nine months a year); dependent minors; and people aged 60 or over joining relatives. Applications go to the local public security authority; the fee is CNY 1,500 plus CNY 300 for the card, and a decision is due within six months.