China D visa and permanent residence: what the Law says

2026-10-11

The D visa is the ordinary visa class for people coming to China for permanent residence, and under Article 47 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law permanent residence status is approved by the Ministry of Public Security.

A D visa is the ordinary visa class for people who come to China for permanent residence. Regulations, Article 6, item (2) states that the D visa "is issued to persons who come to China for permanent residence." Permanent residence status itself is covered by the Exit and Entry Administration Law (the Law), Article 47, which says that foreigners who meet its conditions "may obtain permanent residence status upon application approved by the Ministry of Public Security."

This article is a summary of the official texts, not legal advice. The English wording below is quoted from the official English texts.

The D visa in the ordinary visa categories

Regulations, Article 6 divides ordinary visas into categories. Item (2) reads:

(2) The D visa is issued to persons who come to China for permanent residence;

The Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China, on the China Consular Services website, list the D class in their category table with this wording:

D | Issued to permanent residents in China

The two wordings are quoted separately. Each is the text of its own document.

What a D visa applicant submits

Regulations, Article 7, item (2) names one document for a D visa application:

(2) To apply for the D visa, the applicant shall submit the form issued by the Ministry of Public Security confirming his or her permanent residence status;

The D Visa section of the Visa Application Instructions lists the following:

The original and a photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner's Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.

The final paragraph of Regulations, Article 7 says: "The visa authority may, in light of specific cases, require a foreigner to submit additional application material."

Under Section III, "Important Tips", of the Visa Application Instructions, "The consular officials will decide whether to issue a visa and determine its validity, duration of stay and number of entries according to the applicant's specific circumstances." The same section says that consular officers "may require the applicant to provide other supporting documents or supplementary materials, or require the applicant to attend an interview" when necessary.

Permanent residence status under the Law

Law, Article 47 has two paragraphs. The first sets out who may apply:

Foreigners who have made remarkable contribution to China's economic and social development or meet other conditions for permanent residence in China may obtain permanent residence status upon application approved by the Ministry of Public Security.

The second paragraph says that the administrative measures for examination and approval "shall be stipulated by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with relevant departments under the State Council."

Law, Article 47 sets out no detailed conditions. It refers the detailed measures to those ministries.

Law, Article 48 states what permanent residence status allows:

Foreigners who have obtained permanent residence status may reside or work in China on the strength of permanent residence permits, and exit or enter China on the strength of their passports and permanent residence permits.

When permanent residence status is cancelled

Law, Article 49 lists the circumstances in which the Ministry of Public Security shall cancel permanent residence status. The list is quoted in full:

Where foreigners fall under any of the following circumstances, the Ministry of Public Security shall decide to cancel their permanent residence status in China: (1) Endanger China's national security or interests; (2) Are deported; (3) Obtain permanent residence status in China by fraudulent acts; (4) Fail to reside in China for the prescribed time limit; or (5) Other circumstances in which foreigners are not eligible to reside in China permanently.

Law, Article 49, item (4) refers to a "prescribed time limit" for residence in China. Article 49 does not state the length of that limit.

After entering China: residence permit

The D Visa section of the Visa Application Instructions contains this note:

Please note: The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence.

The 30-day limit is stated in that section of the Visa Application Instructions. The residence permit application is made at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau named in that sentence.

Planning suggestion, not a rule: keep the Confirmation Form and a photocopy with your travel documents when you first enter China, because the D Visa section asks for both at the visa stage.

Sources

Checked 10 and 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre. It is not legal or immigration advice. The official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail if they differ.