We applied for the red card. we qualified in all respects, no worries, except for one little thing
Need a document showing ownership of property.
Now, we own one, but so far, still waiting for the document, 7 years later. While getting my forms stamped at the security bureau just recently, a guy walked in saying he hadn't got his property doc in 3 years and his was private, so this is faster than mine. Mine is govt, and they ain't budging. Been saying next year for 5 years now.
What you need seems to be , from memory, wife, chinese, one of. proof thereof. married for some time, think it's 5 years.
docs saying no criminal record home or china
continuously employed, for 5 years
resident, 5 years continuously. This is defined as at least 9 month here in every year, continuously. This was the first thing checked. One guy applied while we were there, had 4 months off in one year, the year before, although having been here for 8 years or some such. Wasn't going to bother.
I forget if there is anything else, except for med checks etc.
For some astronomical cost, you get 10 years before applying for another one, not permanently. After you get one, you can leave the country for 9 months a year and keep it, but there are conditions to staying. Running a business here may not be one of them, but running a business outside the country is not their concern. In fact, I was told running a business outside the district was not their concern, so maybe could base it in another city, but I am not sure about this last bit. ALso unsure of exact nature of employment responsiblity AFTER the card, since I planned to quit and live of my income from Oz ASAP. I understand can still work as a teacher etc. It seemed to me to be a full residency thing including the same as locals, job, business, etc.
This info we got off the officer who signs the things here, and he was this affable guy new to the job, but sticking precisely to the regs. Really liked talking to the foreigners and doing as little work as possible. Possibly seeing lots of hongbao in his future. No one had been doing this job in the city for some time, so it was all spanking new stuff.