Easier resident permits for Beijing's foreigners

The Chinese capital city has adopted a set of measures to make it easier for foreigners to obtain resident permits, sources with the city's police said on Monday.

According to Chinese law, foreigners living in China's urban areas must apply for residence registration at local police stations within 24 hours of moving into an apartment or house.

However, since many people newly arrived from abroad live far from police stations, are unfamiliar with local transport or have problems in communication, it is common for them to face troubles in registering; some even end up living without a residence permit.

Now, however, residence registration services for foreigners are available from a broader list of sites, such as in select communities with sufficient police facilities, according to the Public Security Bureau of Beijing. And aged, sick or disabled foreigners who have difficulty applying for registration in person can make an appointment by phone or text message for a door-to-door service.

Other new police services include providing foreigners with handbooks introducing foreigner-related laws and regulations and general knowledge regarding safety, traveling, catering and transportation.

Additionally, foreigners whose visa or residence registration is going to expire will be alerted by text message or visited by police personnel.

Police offices based in communities have processed resident permits for 38,000 Beijing-based foreigners, about 12 percent of the total living in the city, which began a 100-day campaign on May 15 to curb the illegal entry, residence and employment of foreign nationals.

The campaign includes household checks in Wangjing, Sanlitun and Wudaokou, areas of the city known for their high concentration of foreign residents, as well as on-the-spot street checks that require foreigners to present valid identification.