By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
anonymous
Q: Is it possible for a foreigner to get a Chinese citizenship? If yes, what are the requirements?
In China, NOTHING is impossible if it has a benefit for China or an official's pocket. But in my opinion, will be extremely rare.
If the child of a Chinese national borne abroad can never become a Chinese Citizen by Law, I do feel laowais will have a much lesser chance
Why would anyone in their right mind want to become a citizen here. They would have to renounce their current citizenship in their home country first.
Franck3:
. You can have UK citizenship as well as Chinese as far as the UK is concerned but the Chinese would probably require you to give up your UK citizenship to become Chinese
I don't know who would want to other than not having to leave the country if your on a tourism visa. Or the benefits of opening your own business without the help of a chinese citizen. I know for Americans traveling around the world is a lot easier than a citizen of China. For going to thailand, Japan and other areas you need to get a visa before you go Americans do not. Also the process of getting the Visa in China is a lot more difficult than getting a Visa in America where you just send your passport pay the fee and have the agency do it for you in about a week or two.
You can get Citizenship in China, e.g. if you married a Chinese and lived here for at least 5years. Yes you have to renounce your citizenship you have now.
HappyExPat:
One thing puzzles me, if I am married to a Chinese national, and lived in China continuously for at least 9 months out of each of those five years, the best I can do from PSB is to get a two year residence permit instead of one, the so called "senior residence permit". How can I become a citizen if I can not get a the equivalent of an american "green card" ?
that does not make any sence , why on earth will i chose to be a Chinese citizen,
Before you think about doing this, please read this:
Cons:
- You'll have to renounce the citizenship of your home country in order to do this.
- Your home country will not be able to protect you anymore. You won't a citizen of that country anymore. Furthermore, even if you're still a citizen of that country, you will not be a citizen of the other country in the eyes of the Chinese. Only one citizenship is recognized: CHINESE CITIZENSHIP. That means even if you're still considered a citizen of your home country, it won't help you in any way, shape or form. You'll still be Chinese.
- You'll always be a "laowai" in the eyes of everyone else. You'll never be Chinese.
- You'll be forced to live under strict, draconian, Chinese laws, such as the Hukou. The Hukou is a forking nightmare for Chinese. For you, it will be even worse.
- Even if you're a Chinese citizen, you'll still be stopped and carded by police constantly.
Pros:
- There are quite literally zero pros to becoming a Chinese citizen.
Mr_spoon:
Well, the one pro would be for the visas. But that's seriously not worth it in the slightest.
I wonder if the OP has the same feelings nearly 2 years later?
No, Unless you have tons of Money or with the new visa rules: have been legally working here over 5 years, married 5 years, paid taxes the whole time and bought a house and yes must have a baby with your Chinese husband or wife. Then you have a chance.
Why would you be a Chinese citizen? One of the few "privileges" foreigners have here, and yes Chinese readers on here we only have a few, is the ability to leave.
It would be even better to have two passports. If one is taken you have another.
Also never have all your eggs in one basket to diversify. I WILL never have all my assets in China. I have plan B somewhere else whenever I need it.
Who would want to renounce their citizenship to become Chinese and limit their chances elsewhere. I'm sure that even getting a job would mean a Chinese salary even though you are actually a westerner.
If the Chinese allowed dual-citizenship for those who are married then I would but I aint giving up my UK Passport for here! (HK I would)
