China · Investor / Golden Visa

Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card

Official name Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74)

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-06-08 · Our methodology
6.5/10 diff
Challenging

Permanent Residence under MPS/MFA Order 74 of 13 August 2004 (Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Resid…

Min income
Processing
60+ days
Path to PR
Yes
Job offer
Not required
Direct answer

Permanent Residence under MPS/MFA Order 74 of 13 August 2004 (Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Aliens in China) Article 6 Paragraph 1. Foreign nationals who have made direct investments in China with stable investment situation for three consecutive years AND good tax record. Investment threshold varies by region: USD 500,000 (encouraged industries OR Western region / poverty-relief counties); USD 1,000,000 (central region); USD 2,000,000 (eastern / other regions). 2024 reform: thresholds administratively relaxed for talent zones Shanghai / Beijing / Shenzhen /

At a Glance

Visa Duration
120 months
Processing Time
60+ days
Min Income
Path to PR
Yes
Difficulty
6/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Age Range18+
Job Offer RequiredNo
Sponsorship RequiredNo
Health Insurance RequiredNo

Family & Rights

RightDetails
Family AllowedYes
Spouse Can WorkYes
Path to Permanent ResidencyYes

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Beijing
Single (monthly)€1,440
Family (monthly)€3,000
Rent 1BR (center)€900
Groceries€360
Transport pass€86
Shanghai
Single (monthly)€1,550
Family (monthly)€3,200
Rent 1BR (center)€1,000
Groceries€388
Transport pass€93
Shenzhen
Single (monthly)€1,271
Family (monthly)€2,636
Rent 1BR (center)€483
Groceries€318
Transport pass€76

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74)?

Permanent Residence under MPS/MFA Order 74 of 13 August 2004 (Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Aliens in China) Article 6 Paragraph 1. Foreign nationals who have made direct investments in China with stable investment situation for three consecutive years AND good tax record. Investment threshold varies by region: USD 500,000 (encouraged industries OR Western region / poverty-relief counties); USD 1,000,000 (central region); USD 2,000,000 (eastern / other regions). 2024 reform: thresholds administratively relaxed for talent zones Shanghai / Beijing / Shenzhen /

Can I bring my family on the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74)?

Yes, this pathway allows family members including dependents. Your spouse may also be eligible to work.

Can the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74) lead to permanent residency?

Yes — this pathway can lead to permanent residence, subject to meeting the residence and other conditions. We do not publish a qualifying timeline for this route because we have no official source stating one; check with the relevant authority for the current residence requirement.

Are there alternative pathways to China?

Yes. China offers 11 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our China country page.

What is the cost of living in China?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Beijing: €1,440/mo; Shanghai: €1,550/mo; Shenzhen: €1,271/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

Data last verified: 2026-06-08 · See our methodology

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