The Republic of China Foreigner Resident Permit is issued to foreigners who are staying in China for more than 1 year. On March 26, 2020, due to the fast spreading of the COVID-19 epidemic worldwide, Ministry of foreign affairs and State Administration of immigration of the people's Republic of China issued an announcement on temporarily suspending the entry of foreigners holding valid Chinese visas and residence permits. On September 23, 2020, according to current COVID-19 epidemic situation and control needs, the Ministry of foreign affairs of the people's Republic of China and the State Administration of immigration announced that foreigners holding valid residence permits for work, private affairs and reunion can enter China.
中华人民共和国外国人居留许可是发给在中华人民共和国居留1年以上的外国人的居留许可。2020年3月26日，鉴于新冠肺炎疫情在全球范围快速蔓延，中华人民共和国外交部、国家移民管理局发布关于暂时停止持有效中国签证、居留许可的外国人入境的公告。2020年9月23日，根据当前新冠肺炎疫情形势及防控需要，中华人民共和国外交部、国家移民管理局发布允许持有效中国工作类、私人事务类和团聚类居留许可的外国人入境。
1.When to apply
1.办理时间
Those foreigners who hold valid Visas entering China and need to apply for a resident permit, should apply to the Entry Administration in the place where you intend to reside for an foreigner's resident permit within 30 days of entering China.
外国人所持签证注明入境后需要办理居留证件的，应当自入境之日起30日内，向拟居留地公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理外国人居留证件。
2. Application process
2.申请流程
Foreigners applying for resident permits valid for more than one year shall, in accordance with the provisions, submit the physical health certificate issued by the local health and quarantine department or by the health and medical department at or above the county level, confirming that the applicant does not suffer from serious mental disorders, infectious tuberculosis or other infectious diseases that may cause significant harm to public health. The following supporting materials shall be submitted as required:
外国人申请有效期1年以上的居留证件，应当按照规定提交当地卫生检疫部门或者县级以上卫生医疗部门出具的身体健康证明，证实申请人未患有严重精神障碍、传染性肺结核或者有可能对公共卫生造成重大危害的其他传染病。并按照要求提交下列证明材料：
(1)Work category: those who enter the country with Z visa shall submit the work permit certificate issued by the local human resources and social security authorities, foreign experts and other competent departments, as well as the certificate letter issued by the work unit.
(1)工作类：持Z字签证入境者，应当提交当地人力资源和社会保障、外国专家等主管部门出具的工作许可证明以及工作单位出具的证明函件。
(2)Study category: those who enter the country with an X1 visa shall submit a letter from the school indicating the study period and the admission or admission certificate. A resident permit that is consistent with the period of study indicated by the school may be issued.
(2)学习类：持X1字签证入境者，应当提交就读学校注明学习期限的函件和录取或者入学证明。可以签发与学校注明学习期限一致的居留证件。
(3)Journalists: those who enter China with J1 visa shall submit the letter issued by the Foreign Affairs Department of the provincial government and the press card issued by the foreign affairs department. A resident permit with a residence period of no more than one year may be issued.
(3)记者类：持J1字签证入境者，应当提交省级人民政府外事部门出具的函件和核发的《记者证》。可以签发居留期不超过1年的居留证件。
(4)Reunion: those who enter the country with a Q1 visa shall submit the identity certificate of the visited person and a letter explaining the relationship of family members. Foreigners who enter China with other types of visas shall also submit proof of family membership. For those under the age of 18 and those over the age of 60, resident permit with a residence period of no more than 3 years may be issued. For those under the age of 18, the deadline of the residence period shall not exceed the date of their 18 years; For other personnel, resident permit with a residence period of no more than 2 years may be issued.
(4)团聚类：持Q1字签证入境者，应当提交被探望人的身份证明和说明家庭成员关系的函件。持其他种类签证入境的外国人，还应当提交家庭成员关系证明。对未满18周岁和已满60周岁的，可以签发居留期不超过3年的居留证件，对未满18周岁人员的居留期截止日期不能超过其18周岁的日期；对其他人员可以签发居留期不超过2年的居留证件。
(5)Private affairs: for those who enter the country with S1 visa, family visitors shall submit letters and residence certificates issued by the visited person explaining the relationship between relatives (spouse, parents, spouse's parents and children under the age of 18). A resident permit consistent with the period of residence of the visited person in China may be issued. Other personnel shall submit supporting materials related to handling private affairs. A resident permit with a residence period of no more than one year may be issued.
(5)私人事务类：持S1字签证入境者，探亲人员应当提交被探望人出具的说明亲属（配偶、父母、配偶的父母、未满18周岁子女）关系的函件和居留证件。可以签发与被探望人在华居留期一致的居留证件。其他人员应当提交处理私人事务相关的证明材料。可以签发居留期不超过1年的居留证件。
From 0:00 on September 28, 2020, foreigners with valid Chinese work, private affairs and reunion residence permits are allowed to enter the country, and relevant personnel do not need to apply for visas again. If the above three types of residence permits held by foreigners expire after 0:00 on March 28, 2020, the holder may apply for corresponding visas to Chinese embassies and consulates abroad on the strength of the expired residence permit and relevant materials under the condition that the reasons for coming to China remain unchanged. The above personnel shall strictly abide by the Chinese epidemic prevention management regulations.
自2020年9月28日0时起，允许持有效中国工作类、私人事务类和团聚类居留许可的外国人入境，相关人员无需重新申办签证。如外国人持有的上述三类居留许可于2020年3月28日0时后过期，持有人在来华事由不变的情况下，可凭过期居留许可和有关材料向中国驻外使领馆申办相应签证入境。上述人员需严格遵守中方防疫管理规定。
It was announced on March 26 that other measures will continue to be implemented. China will gradually and orderly resume personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries on the premise of ensuring epidemic prevention safety.
3月26日公告其他措施继续实施。中方将在确保防疫安全前提下，逐步有序恢复中外人员往来。
