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Should a foreign and a stateless person who resides in the territory of the People's Republic of China and was approved to acquire or restore the nationality of the People's Republic of China apply for a resident identity card?

Updated: 2019-06-20

In accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of the Law of the Resident Identity Cards of the People's Republic of China, foreigners and stateless persons who reside in the territory of the People's Republic of China and are approved to acquire or restore the nationality of the People's Republic of China, must, when applying for permanent residence registration, apply for a resident identity card.

"The foreigners and stateless persons who reside in the territory of the People's Republic of China and are approved to acquire the nationality of the People's Republic of China" as defined here refers to foreigners and stateless persons who have been approved to acquire Chinese nationality and become Chinese nationals due to their long-term permanent residence in China. A Chinese national who has been naturalized as a foreign national or has acquired foreign nationality will automatically lose Chinese nationality as the People's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national. "Restoration of the nationality of the People's Republic of China" means that an application for the restoration of the nationality of the People's Republic of China that has been approved by the relevant departments in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of China. 

That is to say, the above-mentioned persons should apply for identity cards in accordance with the law when registering permanent residence. Those who have reached the age of 16 must apply for resident identity cards from the public security organs where the permanent residence is registered. Those who are under the age of 16 and wish to voluntarily obtain a resident identity card must apply for the card through a guardian. All regulations concerning resident identity cards apply to the above mentioned persons.


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