to gain visa/residenacy permit to live in beijing china.

Posted by frankie-j (380 days ago)

Please if you can shed some light on the subject it would be helpful.
I'm a native British Male married to a chinese lady who obtain British citizenship a few years ago. We have two young children both under 3 years old. We wish to spend the next 10-15 years living and working in Beijing for the main following reasons, 1). Childrens education in all things Chinese, esp language, history etc. 2). My wife's parents are both 70 years old so we would like our children to spend some time with there grandparents and vice - versa before they possibly die. 3). To improve my chinese language. 4). To possibly start a business in the future. but in the mean time work for a company.
I know we can travel to Beijing on a visiting visa and after a period apply for residenace, if granted does that allow us both to work or do we still need a work permit?
Is there any system or paperwork for fomer p.r.c. citizens so as to allow them to return to china to live and work, because of their parents/family still living there?
Hope you can help, thanks.

john Franklin.

(I am based in Beijing)

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Posted by gdbill (380 days ago)

From what you've described, you are not at all elegible for permanent residency. If your spouse does not still have Chinese citizenship, you are not even elegible for the one year tourist visa, but even if you were you would not be able to work legally. There are only two ways you can legally work: obtain a work visa or obtain permanent residency.

If your spouse is a former Chinese national, she could apply to re-obtain her Chinese citizenship, but would be forced to renounce whatever other citizenship she holds.

Other than that, you're stuck obtaining an endless supply of tourist visas or else obtaining a work permit after finding a company willing (and able) to hire you.

(I am based in Guangzhou)