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Foreigners with permanent residency will have the same rights as Chinese nationals, with the exception of political rights and duties, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said Tuesday.

A foreign family who settled down in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province display their green cards, or permanent residence permits, on November 8, 2004. [Photo: cpd.com.cn]

Permanent foreign residents will be granted national treatment in terms of employment, investment, house purchase, gaining professional titles, the ministry said.

Access to schools for their children will also be on par with Chinese citizens, the rules endorsed by central government departments in September state.

Foreigners with permanent residency can participate in all aspects of social insurance and avail of the benefits.

There are five types of social insurance: endowment, medical, unemployment, work-related injury and maternity.

Green card holders are exempt from a restriction that does not allow foreigners who have worked or studied less than a year in China to buy property. They can also work in China without a work permit.

Children of foreigners who have permanent residency will be able to enjoy compulsory education in their place of residence under the new regulation.

Foreigners who have permanent residency can enjoy simplified investment and registration procedures if they want to invest in or set up a business.

Spouses and immediate family members can apply for visas, residence permits and a green card, under the regulation.

More than 4,700 foreigners have been granted the Chinese "green card" since August 2004 but the qualifications are strict.

"The green card system has become an important mechanism to attract international expertise," the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, which helped draft the regulation, said in an explanation of the new rules on Tuesday.

The ministry acknowledged that green cards are vital for developed countries such as the United States and European nations to compete for global talent. The US annually grants 140,000 green cards for immigrants with expertise.

China has been working hard to improve rights that green card holders can enjoy so as to get more overseas experts and professionals that are urgently needed, the ministry said.

Rhio Zablam, from the Philippines, works at a media firm in Beijing. He married a Chinese woman in 2011, and his wife is due to give birth in February.

"I've been in China for two years, and since I got married to a Chinese citizen I can apply for my green card in three years," the 34-year-old said. "The new green card policy is great news for me because I will not need to obtain a work permit anymore if I want to change my job.

"A green card will also make me feel that I am not an outsider anymore, and I really want to fully immerse myself in life in China."

China's first legislation covering the exit and entry of Chinese citizens and foreigners, the Law on the Exit and Entry Administration, which was passed in June and will take effect in July 2013, allows for an increase in the number of green cards.

China may introduce policies for easier access to permanent residency permits for foreigners, according to an expert commenting on a proposed draft regulation being prepared by the Ministry of Public Security.

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