Recently, the city of Shenzhen announced a new policy regarding the household registration (hukou) of overseas Chinese students, which has attracted the attention of many international students in the UK. Shenzhen is known for being one of the easiest cities for international students to obtain a hukou as there is no requirement for social security contributions, nor does the student need to undergo a health check.
Conditions for Obtaining a Hukou as an Overseas Chinese Student in Shenzhen
The time frame for obtaining a hukou generally takes between one to two months, and there is no charge for applying. However, certain agencies may charge around RMB 1,800 to 2,000 for their services.
To be eligible, one must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. Has obtained a bachelor's degree or higher from a university outside of China (including those who already possess a permanent residence permit or re-entry permit)
2. Has studied or worked for more than one year at a higher education institution or research institution outside of China, and has obtained certain results, such as visiting scholars or postdoctoral students.
It is important to note that the latest policy for overseas Chinese students is in line with the requirements for domestic students. That is, individuals must be under the age of 35 with a bachelor's degree, under 40 with a master's degree, or under 45 with a Ph.D. in order to apply for a hukou in Shenzhen.
Types of Hukou for Overseas Chinese Students in Shenzhen
1. Family hukou through property ownership: This type of hukou is suitable for those who own property in Shenzhen or whose relatives own property in Shenzhen.
2. Collective company hukou: This type is ideal for those whose workplace has a collective hukou.
3. Talent-based hukou managed by local public security bureaus: This is suitable for most working individuals, as it is free and stable, and provides permanent residence through a police station.
For international students who do not have a job or own property in Shenzhen, they can still apply for a hukou through the local police station's management of their rental accommodations. However, they will need to provide the necessary supporting documents from their landlords, such as a rental contract, a residential certificate, etc. It is not possible to obtain a hukou without any form of residency or property ownership in Shenzhen.
Requirements for Obtaining a Hukou as an Overseas Chinese Student in Shenzhen
The required documents include a certification of the student's academic credentials from outside of China, such as a degree certificate, a Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan degree certificate, or a visitation scholar certificate, as well as a Chinese ID card, a marriage certificate (if married), a household registration book, a birth certificate, and a graduation certificate.
In particular:
1. For those who are married, a marriage certificate that has been authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate must be provided if the marriage took place outside of China.
2. For those who apply for a collective household registration, they need to provide their personal information and household registration page in addition to the collective household registration book or an authentication document from their local police station.
At present, there are no subsidies for obtaining a hukou for students with a bachelor's degree or a lower degree. However, policies regarding subsidies for Ph.D. students under the age of 35 are being developed.
In conclusion, the latest policy on obtaining a hukou for overseas Chinese students in Shenzhen aims to provide greater convenience and support for international students who wish to stay in China. However, given that the requirements for obtaining a hukou are rigorous, students are advised to plan their application process carefully.