Applying for permanent residence in China for foreign family members is a legal guarantee that allows family ties to transcend national borders, and also a systematic project requiring careful planning.

　　For Chinese citizens, when their foreign spouses and children return to China to live with them, applying for a Chinese Permanent Residence Identity Card (also known as the "Five-Star Card") is undoubtedly an important measure to ensure the stability and convenience of their lives in China.

　　Issued by the Ministry of Public Security, this "Five-Star Card" is not only proof of legal residence status, but also enables foreign holders to enjoy the same treatment as Chinese citizens in many fields including finance, education, medical care, transportation, and accommodation.

　　Eligibility Criteria

　　【Eligibility for Spousal Reunion Category】

　　Foreign spouses of Chinese citizens applying for permanent residence under the spousal reunion category must meet the following key conditions:

　　Marital relationship lasting at least 5 years: The marital relationship has been continuously maintained for 5 years from the date of marriage to the application submission date.

　　Continuous residence in China for 5 years with at least 9 months per year: Having resided in China continuously for 5 years, with no less than 9 months of residence each year during this period.

　　Stable living security and accommodation: Evidence must be provided to prove a stable source of income and legal fixed residence.

　　【Eligibility for Minor Children】

　　Minor unmarried children under 18 years old of Chinese citizens may apply for permanent residence in China by joining their parents. Some regions have requirements on residence duration and parental status. Note: If a child is born abroad and either or both parents have obtained foreign permanent residence rights at the time of birth, the child acquires foreign nationality and does not hold Chinese nationality, so there is no nationality conflict in the application.

　　Application Documents

　　【Core Documents for Spousal Reunion Category】

　　"Application Form for Permanent Residence in China" (for spousal reunion applicants): Obtained at the acceptance window, signed on-site, and submitted.

　　Health certificate: Issued by a designated health and quarantine department, or by a foreign medical institution certified by a Chinese embassy/consulate abroad (valid within 6 months).

　　Certificate of no criminal record: Issued by the national judicial authority of the country of nationality and certified by the Chinese embassy/consulate in that country (valid within 6 months).

　　Proof of marital relationship: Marriage certificate must go through notarization and authentication procedures.

　　Spouse's identity documents: ID card and household registration booklet of the Chinese spouse.

　　Proof of stable living security and accommodation: Housing rental or property ownership certificate, deposit certificate; if the deposit is in the spouse's name, a financial guarantee from the spouse is required.

　　Personal resume: Detailed information including basic personal details, work experience, and family financial sources.

　　【Basic Documents for Minor Children】

　　Birth certificate or proof of parent-child relationship

　　Proof of parents' marital relationship

　　Identity documents of the Chinese parent

　　Foreign identity documents

　　All documents issued by overseas institutions must be notarized, authenticated, and translated into Chinese by a qualified translation company.

　　Application Process and Timeframe

　　【Specific Procedures】

　　Preliminary preparation: Verify all eligibility criteria (especially residence duration) and calculate accurately in advance.

　　Document collection: Collect, notarize, and authenticate all required documents, paying attention to validity periods.

　　Fill out the application form: Obtain the form at the acceptance window and complete it with a black fountain pen or signature pen.

　　On-site submission: Submit the application with all documents to the Exit-Entry Administration Detachment of the local municipal public security bureau.

　　Fee payment: Pay an application fee of 1.500 yuan per person upon submission (non-refundable regardless of approval outcome).

　　Approval waiting period: The review process usually takes 180 working days (excluding document submission time).

　　Certificate collection: After approval, pay a production fee of 300 yuan per card and collect the "Five-Star Card".

　　Common Issues and Solutions

　　【Residence Duration Calculation】

　　Residence duration is the most error-prone part of the application. Suggestions:

　　Inquire about complete entry-exit records (accurate to the day) from the exit-entry administration in advance.

　　Reserve a buffer period when planning residence duration to avoid insufficient time due to short-term departure or unforeseen circumstances.

　　【Difficulty Obtaining No Criminal Record Certificate】

　　Applicants residing in China long-term may face difficulties obtaining the certificate from their home country. Options:

　　Confirm in advance whether the home country allows processing by mail or through entrusted relatives/friends.

　　Consult professional service agencies with experience in handling such matters.

　　【Nationality Conflict for Minors】

　　Children with nationality conflicts must resolve the issue before applying for Chinese permanent residence.

　　【Complex Document Authentication Process】

　　Overseas documents require multiple steps including notarization, authentication, and translation. Solutions:

　　Plan ahead and reserve 2-3 months for document preparation.

　　Ensure all documents meet format and content requirements to avoid delays caused by minor issues.

　　Benefits and Applications of the Five-Star Card

　　After successfully obtaining the "Five-Star Card", foreign family members will enjoy greater convenience in China:

　　Travel convenience: No need for a Chinese visa; purchase air and train tickets online/offline, and enter stations via self-service verification without a passport.

　　Financial convenience: Open bank accounts and register for mobile/online banking services.

　　Living convenience: Check in at hotels using only the card; enjoy the same treatment as Chinese citizens in medical care, insurance participation, and daily consumption.

　　Educational convenience: Enroll in nearby public schools and take the Chinese college entrance examination.

　　Work convenience: Exempt from applying for a foreigner's work permit when working in China; eligible to take professional and technical qualification exams as required.

　　Applying for permanent residence in China for foreign family members requires patience and careful preparation, but brings long-term convenience once successful. Advanced planning, thorough verification, and strict implementation are key to smooth approval. A final confirmation is recommended before formal submission—each successful application marks the start of a stable family life in China.