13 January, 2013

Twenty-five departments, including the Central Organization Department of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the Ministry of Public Security, jointly released the Measures for Enjoyment of Relevant Treatment by Foreigners Permanently Residing in China (the “Measures“) on September 25, 2012. The Measures became effective on the date of release; however, they were not published until December 11, 2012.

The Measures apply to the foreigners who have obtained a Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Permit. Such foreigners are, in principle, entitled to enjoy the same rights and undertake the same obligations as Chinese citizens, except for those political and special rights and obligations which Chinese laws and regulations specifically stipulate that foreigners cannot enjoy or undertake. Foreigners working in China with a Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Permit are entitled to enjoy the same benefits as Chinese nationals in terms of employment, residence, visas, customs clearance, investments, professional title, children’s education, social insurance, housing fund, house purchase, income tax, handling of financial business, shopping, travelling, and obtaining a driving license. In addition, the public security department will speed up the processing of such foreigners’ application for naturalization as a Chinese national or restoration of Chinese nationality, based on the applicable formalities.

The full Chinese text of the Measures is available here.