Immigration to China for Ukrainians

Permanent residence in China for Ukrainian citizens

Permanent resident status in China provides the most comfortable conditions for living and working in mainland China. However, permanent residence holders cannot participate in the political life of the country, including elections. In all other cases, foreign nationals have the same rights as local residents.

Duration of residence:

• 3 months out of 12, a resident must live in China;
  
• 1 year out of 5 years in case of extension of the residence permit.
  

Also, a permanent resident has the opportunity to apply for Chinese citizenship.

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Who can apply for permanent residence in China in the first place?

1) Refugees.

In order to declare their refugee status to the migration control authorities of the local people's government, citizens need to arrive in China directly from their country of residence. It takes from 3 to 8 months to process the application (during this time, the public security authorities will issue you a card - a temporary residence permit for a specific place in the country).

If recognized as a refugee after the final interview, the applicant receives a refugee certificate and permanent residence for a period of 10 years with the right to obtain Chinese citizenship (after 6 years of permanent residence).

It should be borne in mind that refugee status can be applied for by persons who were in mortal danger in their homeland, who for any reason (ethnic, religious, racial, political, etc.) were persecuted and can provide evidence of this.

2) Foreign spouses (must be married to a Chinese citizen and reside here for at least a year or to a person with permanent residence in China and reside here for at least 5 years), their minor children (under 18 years of age).

An official marriage (not a fictitious one) is a good reason to obtain permanent residency status for 10 years after a year of residence in China. And five years after obtaining permanent residence, the applicant has the right to apply for Chinese citizenship. (In case of refusal, you can try again in another 5 years, before the expiration of the permanent residence period).

3) Relatives from abroad (family reunification) who have lived in China for five years;

Citizens who have Chinese citizens or permanent residents among their close relatives (children, siblings, parents, grandparents) can take advantage of the family reunification program.

Relatives can enter the country by special invitation indicating the degree of kinship, the planned duration of stay and a guarantee from a Chinese citizen. Initially, a residence permit is issued for a year with the right to extend it. After five years, you can get a permanent residence permit for five years. And after 10 years of residence in China, documents can be submitted for Chinese citizenship.

4) Pensioners over the age of 60. Indirect disabled relatives over the age of 60 who have no other sources of income in their home country and have lived in China for at least 5 years;

Speaking about how to move to China for permanent residence for a pensioner whose child has already obtained Chinese citizenship, it should be noted that it is enough for him to use the family reunification program. Ordinary pensioners also have the opportunity to immigrate to China.

5) Foreign nationals who are investors in the Chinese economy (from 300 thousand to 2 million US dollars) and businessmen with a good tax history.

This is one of the most common ways to immigrate to China.

Registration and doing business in China by foreign nationals involves two key points:

• proper payment of taxes;
  
• creation of jobs for Chinese citizens (minimum number of 10).
  

Foreign businessmen first obtain a business visa (for 3 months), after which they receive a residence permit for a year with the right to extend. After five years, business owners (provided that there are no objections from the authorities) receive a permanent residence permit in China.

6) Foreigners who have held the positions of heads of enterprises, rectors, directors, first deputy heads, etc. in the PRC for 4 years. Employment in China is also one of the most popular ways of immigration.

Specialists with high qualifications and experience, representatives of professions in short supply in China, world-renowned scientists, famous athletes and artists have the best chances of finding a well-paid job. A signed contract and the consent of the Ministry of Labor pave the way for obtaining a work (labor) visa.

Such a visa provides for a one-month stay in the country and the issuance of a residence permit for a year with the right to extend (until the expiration of the employment contract). The employment contract may also be extended. After five years of residence in the country, a foreign worker is eligible for permanent residence (for scientists with a doctoral degree, this status is granted immediately).

7) Foreigners who have rendered outstanding service to China or are particularly valuable to its economy, prestige, etc. Entry permits are granted to citizens with high professional achievements and unique scientific knowledge. It is issued on the initiative of the Chinese government, which is interested in the visit of such persons.

8) Graduates of Chinese universities. Diplomas of Chinese universities are recognized in most countries of the world, and the cost of education is quite low. In addition, after graduation from a Chinese university, foreign students receive the right to live and work in the country.

For the duration of their studies, students receive a residence permit, which requires a contract with a Chinese educational institution and proof of the student's ability to pay. Many students can study for free (according to the allocated quotas).

The Chinese government has also initiated several scholarship programs for foreign students that cover tuition and living expenses.

What visas are available for immigration to China from Ukraine?

To enter and stay in the territory of the People's Republic of China, citizens need to obtain appropriate visas.

The following types of visas are most popular today:

• tourist visa (L) - for one or two visits;
  
• business visa (M) - for one, two and multiple visits;
  
• work visa (Z) - issued for entry for 30 days and is subject to exchange for a residence permit at the place of residence in the PRC;
  
• study visa (X) - for studying in higher education institutions of the PRC;
  
• national visa (D) - for permanent residence;
  
• for family members of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence (Q) - for the purpose of family reunification, etc.
  
• (R) visa - for citizens with high professional achievements and unique scientific knowledge. They are especially valuable for China.

To apply for permanent residence in China, you need to submit an application and pass an interview at a public security organization (the decision is approved at the provincial or city level, the final decision is at the ministry level).

In addition to the application, you must submit

• a valid passport;
  
• a health certificate (such a certificate can be obtained in the PRC or issued in the country of citizenship before going to China for permanent residence - in this case, it must be translated into Chinese and certified by a Chinese consular office)
  
• proof of solvency and income statement;
  
• a certificate of no criminal record from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of China;
  
• certificate of payment of all taxes (for businessmen);
  
• a conclusion from the Ministry of Economy of the People's Republic of China on the effectiveness of business or investment (for businessmen and investors);
  
• marriage certificate (for foreign spouses);
  
• 4 color photos;
  
• a receipt of payment of the fee.

Foreigners who receive permanent residence after 5 years of work in China need to submit information on employment, positions, qualifications, confirmation of the extreme necessity of their work for the Chinese economy, letters of recommendation, etc. If the applicant is outside the country, he or she can be represented by an authorized representative (the power of attorney is certified by the Chinese Embassy in the applicant's country of residence).

The materials are considered within 6 months. If a positive decision is made, the applicant is issued a “Foreigner's Certificate of Permanent Residence” (Chinese “Green Card”) for 5 years (for pensioners and children under 18) and 10 years (after 18 years).

If the applicant is abroad, he or she will receive a notification by mail. With this notification, he/she should apply to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and obtain a national visa “D”, after which it will be possible to move to China for permanent residence. In this case, the certificate will be provided upon arrival. A month before the end of the 5-year or 10-year period, you need to confirm your status. In this case, the procedure is simpler (it takes no more than 15 days) and is also free of charge.

Acquisition of Chinese citizenship for Ukrainians

According to the Law of the People's Republic of China “On Citizenship”, a person can become a Chinese citizen by birth (Article 6), i.e. a person who was born in China (including in a family of non-Chinese citizens or stateless persons in general) and permanently resides here; or by application (Article 7), i.e. a person who has been living and working here legally for a long time, complying with all laws, etc.

There are two main ways to obtain Chinese citizenship today:

1) By birth.

At least one of the parents has Chinese citizenship, regardless of the child's place of birth.

Both parents permanently reside in China and are stateless or of undetermined nationality, and the child is born in China.

2) By naturalization.

Foreigners and stateless persons may be issued a Chinese passport through the naturalization procedure in the following cases:

• If there are Chinese citizens among close relatives.
  
• Permanent residence in China.
  
• On the basis of other legal reasons.

The following factors influence the adoption of a positive decision on granting Chinese citizenship:

• Legality of stay in the People's Republic of China. For example, official work in China, doing business, research or studying at Chinese universities.
  
• The length of permanent residence in China.
  
• The presence of close family members (spouse, minor children) and relatives among the Chinese in China.
  
• A stable legal source of income sufficient to provide for yourself and your family members. Strict compliance with Chinese law, including full payment of tax liabilities.
  
• No criminal record and good health, both mental and physical.
  
• A sufficient level of Chinese language proficiency.
  
• A firm intention and interest in further residence in China, i.e. after obtaining citizenship.

Important. Marriage to a Chinese citizen does not provide special privileges for obtaining a Chinese passport.

Grounds for the loss of Chinese citizenship

• Moving for permanent residence outside of China with subsequent citizenship in another country.
  
• Voluntary renunciation of a Chinese passport.

Deportation and eviction from China

In case of violation of the rules of stay in the territory of the PRC, public security authorities may decide to sanction a foreign citizen's departure from China (independently) within 15 days - deportation. The main and only ground for deportation is the loss of the right to stay in China. However, a deported person can enter China by re-applying for an entry visa.

Expulsion from the country is a more severe punishment. It is applied in case of violation of the deportation order within the specified period, illegal residence and employment in the PRC, or engagement in harmful or incompatible activities with the permit. Foreign nationals who have been expelled are subject to additional sanctions: a ban on entry into the PRC for a certain period (from one to five years and up to ten years in case of serious violations) from the moment of expulsion.

Expulsion and deportation are carried out at the expense of the perpetrator. If the perpetrator is unable to pay, the costs are covered by the Chinese employer, the inviting party, or the person who gave the guarantees.