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Expert Suggests Conditional Retirement Visa Policy for Foreign Nationals in China
At the 3rd session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held from March 4 to 10 in Beijing, Jia Qingguo—member of the CPPCC Standing Committee, professor at Peking University's School of International Studies, and Director of Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding—submitted two significant proposals. Among them was a forward-looking suggestion titled On Conditionally Opening Retirement Residence Visas to Foreign Nationals.
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As global aging accelerates, the cross-border movement of retirees has become a pressing issue. Currently, over 1 billion people worldwide are aged 60 or above. The high-net-worth segment of this demographic is fueling an international retirement market growing at an annual rate of 8%. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Portugal have already rolled out targeted retirement visa policies to stimulate local economies and optimize resource usage.
In this context, China—now the world's second-largest economy—faces both challenges and opportunities amid its own aging population, evolving consumption trends, and industrial transformation. Opening retirement visas to qualified foreign nationals could be a strategic move to ease domestic structural issues while strengthening global influence.
Policy Recommendations
Legislation and Promotion: The National Immigration Administration, together with relevant agencies, should form a task force to draft the "Foreign Retiree Residence Regulations" and launch a global awareness campaign.
Visa Categories and Duration: China could offer retirement residence visas valid for 1–3 years, renewable upon review. Long-term or permanent residence could be granted to retirees meeting certain criteria, such as years of residence, significant contributions, specialized skills, or investments (exceeding RMB 50 million, for example).
Eligibility Requirements:
Minimum age of 50
Financial proof (bank savings, pension income)
Health certificate from an accredited medical institution
Criminal background check
Supportive Services and Governance:
Retirees should obtain Chinese private health insurance or transferable foreign health coverage
Local communities should provide essential services and support
Regulations should define rights and responsibilities to ensure retirees' legal protection and proper management
What do you think? We'd love to hear your thoughts—feel free to leave a comment below!
Source: 北京大学中外人文交流研究基地
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