Wang Yuanyuan
NON-HUKOU residents in Shenzhen between the ages of 16 and 60 can apply for a new residence card from Aug. 1, which will give them rights similar to those of permanent residents, government officials said at a news conference yesterday.
Expatriates and Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao residents are exempt.
The new card is embedded with a chip that will contain the information of holders such as employment status, social insurance, marriage status, credit rating and criminal record.
Compared with the present temporary residency permits, holders of the new card will be eligible for many social services and conveniences. They will also be able to apply for business tour permits to Hong Kong and Macao. Long-term card holders will be eligible to join the social insurance scheme.
“Migrants who live here for up to one month must go to police stations to apply for residence cards. Those who have properties, jobs or start their own businesses can apply for the long-term card, which is valid for 10 years,” Shi Zhigang, vice chief of the public security bureau, said.
Those who are unemployed
Long-term card holders with good records will be given priority for future hukou applications.
“The residence card does not guarantee a Shenzhen hukou, but good behavior records will mean a better chance for the holder to be granted hukou,” said Hu Jiannong, director general of the legal office of the municipal government.
The temporary residence permits will be phased out, but the bureau did not specify a deadline. This will be discussed at the annual meeting of the local legislature next year.
An applicant will be charged 10 yuan (US$1.4). This half the previous that was set fee when the card was first introduced in Yantian District on a trial basis in September last year.
Holders are required to update their information at police stations every six months, the bureau said.
“The new card will help monitor the floating population as Shenzhen has the largest number of migrants compared with other cities in China. It will also increase the migrants’ sense of belonging to the city,” Hu said.
Shenzhen is home to more than 8 million migrants.