Xinhua.net (a Chinese news website) published an article in June 2010 concerning Visas for foreigners in China. It is most likely to be of importance to expats living in China.
Basically, it is now possible to apply for a 2 year residence permit. However it is aimed at only certain groups of people. From the article it applies to the following groups of people:
- Foreigners and their foreign spouses aged 60 or above, without immediate family outside China, to live with their immediate family in China.
- Chinese with foreign nationalities aged 60 or above, their spouses and children with foreign nationalities, who have purchased real estate in China.
- Chinese with foreign nationalities aged 18 or above, staying in China to look after their parents aged 60 or above without other descendents in China.
- Children under 18 with foreign nationalities of Chinese parents with foreign nationalities or with foreign permanent residence, who are fostered in China.
- Spouse, parents and children under 18 with foreign nationalities of Chinese citizens and foreigners with permanent residence.
- Foreigners and their foreign spouses aged 60 or above, without immediate family outside China, to live with their immediate family in China.
- Chinese with foreign nationalities aged 60 or above, their spouses and children with foreign nationalities, who have purchased real estate in China.
- Chinese with foreign nationalities aged 18 or above, staying in China to look after parents aged 60 or above without other descendents in China
- Children under 18 with foreign nationalities of Chinese parents with foreign nationalities or with foreign permanent residence, who are fostered in China.
Have a look at the following link for the full article: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/video/2010-06/04/c_13333853.htm
