In recent years, China has shown strong policy support in attracting high-end foreign talents, promoting scientific and technological innovation and promoting economic globalization, and introduced a new policy to accelerate foreigners' application for "Chinese green card" (Chinese permanent residence permit). The Chinese "green card" represents the right of long-term residence in China, and for many expats, it is not only an important way to obtain long-term residence and work opportunities in China, but also an important step in their integration into Chinese society. This article will delve into the specifics of these accelerated policies, the application process, and their impact on foreigners living and working in China.

近年来，中国在吸引高端外籍人才、推动科技创新与促进经济全球化方面表现出了强大的政策支持力度，推出了加速外国人申请“中国绿卡”（中国永久居留证）的新政策。中国“绿卡”代表了在中国的长期居留权，对于许多外籍人士来说，这不仅是获得长期在华居留和工作机会的重要途径，更是他们融入中国社会的重要一步。本文将深入探讨这些加速政策的具体内容、申请程序及其对外国人在中国生活和工作的影响。

I. basic concept of China's "green card"

一、中国“绿卡”的基本概念

The Chinese "green card" is a permanent residence permit for foreigners. Foreigners with a Chinese "green card" can live and work in China for a long time and enjoy almost the same social benefits and rights as Chinese citizens. This kind of permanent residency does not mean the acquisition of Chinese nationality, but it greatly simplifies the visa issue for foreigners and makes life in China more stable and convenient for holders.

中国“绿卡”即是指外国人永久居留证。拥有中国“绿卡”的外籍人士可以在中国长期居住、工作，并享有几乎与中国公民同等的社会福利和权利。这类永久居留权并不意味着中国国籍的取得，但它极大地简化了外籍人士的签证问题，让持有者在中国的生活更加稳定和便利。

持有中国“绿卡”的主要优势：

1. Long-term residence: The holder can live in China for a long time without visa restrictions.

1. 长期居住权：持有者可以在中国长期居住，不受签证限制。

2. Freedom of employment: There is no need to apply for a work visa or residence permit, and the cardholder can freely work or start a business in China.

2. 就业自由：无需再申请工作签证或居留许可，持卡人可以在中国自由工作或创业。

3. Children's education: The cardholder's children can enjoy more convenient educational resources in China, similar to the treatment of Chinese citizens.

3. 子女教育：持卡人的子女可以在中国享受更便利的教育资源，与中国公民待遇相似。

4. Enjoy a number of social welfare: such as medical insurance, pension insurance and other social security.

4. 享有多项社会福利：如医疗保险、养老保险等社会保障。

5. Investment convenience: Cardholders can carry out various investment activities in China and enjoy almost the same treatment as Chinese citizens.

5. 投资便利：持卡人可以在中国境内进行各种投资活动，享有与中国公民几乎相同的待遇。

II. new accelerated policy for applying for China's "green card"

二、申请中国“绿卡”的新加速政策

In recent years, China has introduced a number of green card acceleration policies aimed at attracting high-end talents, scientists, technical experts and foreigners with special contributions. These policies provide a faster and easier path for eligible applicants to apply.

近年来，中国出台了多项旨在吸引高端人才、科学家、技术专家和具有特别贡献的外国人的绿卡加速政策。这些政策为符合条件的申请人提供了更快、更简便的申请通道。

1. High-end talent introduction plan

1. 高端人才引进计划

China has implemented a policy of introducing high-end foreign talents and provided a fast track for high-tech and innovative talents. Such high-end talents are mainly concentrated in the following categories:

中国实施了高端外国人才引进政策，并对高技术人才和创新型人才提供了快速通道。此类高端人才主要集中在以下几类：

- Scientists and researchers: core technicians who have achieved internationally recognized results in a specific field or in national strategic projects.

- 科学家和研究人员：在特定领域取得国际公认成果或国家战略项目中的核心技术人员。

- Corporate executives: senior managers, major investors or technology leaders of multinational companies in China.

- 企业高管：跨国公司在华高层管理者、投资大户或技术领袖。

- Innovative and entrepreneurial talents: people who start high-tech companies in China, engage in technological innovation, and contribute to the development of the local economy.

- 创新创业人才：在中国境内开创高科技公司、从事技术创新，并对当地经济发展做出贡献的人士。

2. Point-based registration policy

2. 积分落户政策

Some cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, have implemented points-based residency policies for foreigners. This policy is mainly aimed at foreigners who have lived in China for a long time, based on their years of work in China, education, social contribution and other indicators, and foreigners who meet the conditions can be given priority to obtain green cards.

一些城市如北京、上海、广州等地，实施了针对外籍人士的积分落户政策。这一政策主要针对长期在华居住的外国人，根据其在中国的工作年限、学历、社会贡献等指标进行积分评定，满足条件的外籍人士可以优先获得绿卡。

3. Family reunification green card application is accelerated

3. 家庭团聚绿卡申请加速

In order to facilitate the reunion of foreigners with their Chinese family members, China has also introduced an accelerated policy. Foreigners who are married to a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with permanent residency and have lived continuously for a certain period of time can also get a green card faster.

为了方便外籍人士与中国籍家属的团聚，中国也推出了加速政策。外籍人士若与中国公民或拥有永久居留权的外国人结婚，且已经连续居住一段时间，也可以加快获得绿卡的速度。

4. Green Card application under Free Trade zone policy

4. 自贸区政策下的绿卡申请

Some free trade zones in China, such as the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, have introduced accelerated green card policies within specific areas. Expats who work in specific industries or invest in high-tech enterprises within the zone can obtain permanent residency more quickly.

中国的一些自由贸易区如上海自贸区，推出了特定区域内的绿卡加速政策。外籍人士若在自贸区内从事特定行业，或投资高科技企业，可以更快地获得永久居留权。

5. Transfer channel for international students from work to residence to green card

5. 留学生工作居留转绿卡通道

In recent years, China has encouraged outstanding foreign students to stay in China for employment after graduation. Foreign graduates who have a master's degree or above and have worked in a specific industry for a certain number of years can directly apply for a Chinese "green card" through such policies.

中国近年来鼓励优秀的外国留学生毕业后留华就业。具有硕士及以上学位并在特定行业工作满一定年限的外籍毕业生，可以通过此类政策直接申请中国“绿卡”。

III. accelerate the policy to simplify the application process

三、加速政策对申请流程的简化

The Chinese "green card" application used to be seen as a complicated and time-consuming procedure, but with the introduction of these accelerated policies, the application process has become more convenient and efficient.

中国“绿卡”申请曾被视为一项复杂且耗时的程序，但随着这些加速政策的推出，申请流程变得更加便捷高效。

1. Electronic application system

1. 电子化申请系统

China has accelerated the electronic process of green card applications. Applicants can submit application materials online and schedule interviews via the Internet, making the entire application process more transparent and efficient. This significantly reduces the traditional paper process time, allowing applicants to complete the required steps more quickly.

中国加速了绿卡申请的电子化进程。申请人可以通过互联网在线递交申请材料、预约面试，整个申请流程更为透明且高效。这大幅减少了传统的纸质流程时间，使申请者能够更快地完成所需步骤。

2. Simplified documentation requirements

2. 简化的文件要求

Under the new expedited policy, some regions have reduced documentation requirements for applicants. For example, applicants who qualify for high-end talent may only need to provide core proof of work or national project participation, without having to submit multiple complex background materials.

根据新的加速政策，一些地区对于申请者的文件要求有所减少。例如，符合高端人才条件的申请人可能只需提供核心的工作证明或国家级项目参与证明，无需再提交多项复杂的背景材料。

3. Accelerate the approval channel

3. 加速审批通道

Top talent and investors also enjoy special approval channels, where their applications are prioritized and the approval time is greatly reduced from months to weeks or less.

高端人才和投资者还享有特别审批通道，他们的申请会被优先处理，审批时间从几个月大大缩短到数周或更短。

IV. positive impact of the new policy

四、新政策的积极影响

1. Attract high-end talent

1. 吸引高端人才

The accelerated policy of China's green card has created good conditions for attracting global high-end talents, especially in high-tech, medical, finance, education and other fields, where China is in the stage of accelerated development. By accelerating the introduction of foreign high-end talents, it not only promotes the development of relevant domestic fields, but also enhances China's competitiveness in the field of global innovation and technology.

中国绿卡的加速政策为吸引全球高端人才创造了良好条件，特别是在高科技、医疗、金融、教育等领域，中国正处于加速发展阶段。通过加速外国高端人才的引进，不仅促进了国内相关领域的发展，也提升了中国在全球创新与技术领域的竞争力。

2. Improve the convenience of life

2. 提高生活便利性

Once foreigners obtain a green card, they no longer need to renew their work visas or residence permits frequently, and their life is more stable and convenient. Especially for foreign experts, scholars and entrepreneurs who have settled for a long time, the accelerated approval of green cards has brought great convenience to their long-term planning of living and working in China.

外籍人士一旦获得绿卡，不再需要频繁续签工作签证或居留许可，生活更加稳定和便捷。特别是对于长期定居的外籍专家、学者和企业家而言，绿卡的加速审批为他们在中国生活和工作的长期规划带来了巨大的便利。

3. Promote cross-cultural exchanges and economic cooperation

3. 促进跨文化交流与经济合作

With more foreigners getting Chinese green cards, cross-cultural exchanges and cooperation are getting closer. The experience and perspective of these foreigners in China have also brought more global perspectives to China's economic and social development, helping to enhance China's cooperation and ties with other countries.

随着更多外国人获得中国绿卡，跨文化交流与合作更加密切。这些外国人在华的经验和视角也为中国经济和社会发展带来了更多的全球视野，有助于提升中国与其他国家的合作和联系。

V. The specific process of applying for a Chinese "green card"

五、申请中国“绿卡”的具体流程

1. Preliminary application

1. 初步申请

First of all, foreign applicants need to go to the local entry-exit administration department, including passports, work certificates, residence certificates and other relevant materials. High-end talent, investors or applicants with family connections who meet the accelerated policy can enjoy a specific priority channel.

首先，外籍申请人需前往当地的出入境管理部门，递交包括护照、工作证明、居住证明等相关材料。符合加速政策的高端人才、投资者或具有家庭关系的申请人，可以享受特定的优先通道。

2. Audit and interview

2. 审核与面试

The immigration department will conduct a preliminary review of the application materials and arrange an interview. The interview mainly covers the applicant's background and life plan in China.

出入境管理部门会对申请材料进行初步审核，并安排面试。面试内容主要涉及申请人的背景、在中国的生活计划等。

3. Approval and result notification

3. 审批与结果通知

If the application is approved, the applicant will be notified to go to the immigration administration to collect the "China Permanent Residence Permit". The whole process can take weeks to months, depending on the applicant.

如果申请通过，申请人会收到通知前往出入境管理部门领取“中国永久居留证”。整个过程根据申请人情况不同，时间可能在数周至数月不等。

VI. Sharing successful cases

六、成功案例分享

Case 1: Innovative entrepreneurs get green cards

案例一：创新型企业家获得绿卡

Peter, an engineer from Germany, founded an artificial intelligence company in Shanghai, China. It took him only six months to get a Chinese green card, as his company is involved in the high-tech sector and contributes greatly to the local economy. Peter said the application process was simpler than he expected, and the acceleration of the policy greatly boosted his entrepreneurial motivation and helped him integrate into the Chinese business ecosystem more quickly.

来自德国的工程师彼得（Peter），在中国上海创办了一家人工智能公司。由于其公司涉及高科技领域，并对当地经济贡献巨大，他仅用了6个月时间就获得了中国绿卡。彼得表示，申请过程比他预期的简单，政策的加速极大提高了他的创业动力，并帮助他更快地融入中国的商业生态系统。

Case 2: High-end scholars get residency quickly

案例二：高端学者快速获得居留权

Emily, an American scientist, is a professor at a top university who has participated in several national research projects through cooperation with Chinese research institutions. With her academic contributions and research achievements, Emily's application was approved in just 3 months, and she successfully obtained a permanent residence permit in China through the high-end talent introduction program.

美国科学家艾米丽（Emily）是某顶尖大学的教授，她通过与中国科研机构合作，参与了多个国家级研究项目。凭借她的学术贡献和科研成果，艾米丽的申请在短短3个月内得到了审批，通过高端人才引进计划，她成功获得了中国永久居留证。

Vii. Future Outlook and policy optimization

七、未来展望与政策优化

With the deepening of globalization, the demand for foreigners to settle in China for a long time continues to grow. China's green card application acceleration policy shows that the country is gradually optimizing its immigration policy to attract more high-end talent and international investment. In the future, more areas and regions may join the Green Card acceleration program to provide more diverse options for expatriates.

随着全球化趋势的不断加深，外国人在中国的长期定居需求持续增长。中国的绿卡申请加速政策表明，中国正在逐步优化移民政策，吸引更多高端人才和国际投资。未来，可能会有更多领域和地区加入绿卡加速计划，为外籍人士提供更加多样化的选择。

Through this policy, China is not only showing an open attitude, but also committed to promoting domestic economic transformation and technological innovation by attracting international talent. In the process of policy optimization, the threshold for applying for green cards may be further lowered in the future, and the coverage will be more extensive, thus creating a more friendly environment for foreigners to live in China.

通过这一政策，中国不仅展现了开放的姿态，还致力于通过吸引国际人才来推动国内经济转型与技术创新。在政策优化的过程中，未来申请绿卡的门槛可能进一步降低，覆盖面也将更加广泛，从而为外国人在华生活创造更加友好的环境。