Xiamen starts to use residence permits in place of temporary permits

According to Xiamen Police, the work of changing temporary residence permits into residence permits began on Dec. 1st. Since then, Xiamen police stations have begun to accept applications for residence permits with the result that temporary residence permits will gradually become a thing of the past.

Residence permits will make the following procedures more convenient

1. Applying for the passports, Exit-Entry Permits for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (and the endorsement) and Taiwan travel permits for Mainland residents (and the endorsement) in the public security offices in the People’s Governments above the county-level.
2. Applying for the renewal or replacement of the identity cards in police stations.
3. Applying for motor vehicle registration and other business in the traffic management department of the Municipal or county-level People’s Government.
4. Applying for driving licenses in the traffic management department of the Municipal or county-level Peoples Government.
5. Participating in the assessment or examination of provincial vocational qualifications, professional qualification examinations, non-diploma education, vocational skills training and national practice skills identification.
6. Applying for birth registration and other birth control services certification materials.
7. Other national and provincial conveniences.

Three kinds of people who can apply for the residence permits

1. People who are in legal and stable employment: hired by state organs, social organisations, enterprises or engaging in other business activities.
2. People who have legal and stable residence: have legal ownership of a house,  rent a house or live in the dorms of their employer or school.
3. People who are enrolled in schools: studying in full-time primary schools, secondary schools, vocational schools or universities.

In addition, there is a requirement that applicants must have completed at least six month’s residence registration.

The materials applicants need to take:

Applicants must provide valid registration certificates or temporary residence permits, fill in the claim form and carry the applicants’ or agents’ identity cards or other valid ID cards.

1. People who are in legal and stable employment: those who are self-employed should provide business licenses or investment or opening certificates; those who are in employment should provide employment registration certificates issued by the labor security administration department, labor contracts or labor relation certificates issued by the employers and social security payment voucher.
2. People who have legal and stable residence: the ownership certificate of their (family or friend’s) house or the housing purchase contract, the housing rental contract, proof of accommodation provided by the leaser, employing unit or school.
3. People who are enrolled in schools: students in colleges and universities should provide admission certificates; students in full-time primary schools, secondary schools and vocational schools should be provide proof of continuous study.