According to the latest statistics released by Beijing Municipal Personnel Bureau, over 32,000 foreigners in the city hold residency permits.

Beijing has started to implement the system of temporary residence permits since 1999. The permit was changed into residence permit in 2001. Since June 30 2003, the scope for applying employee's residence permit in Beijing, also known as Beijing green card, has been enlarged. All employers working in the enterprises and institutions of the city can apply for the employer's residency permit in Beijing provided that they meet the relevant requirements.

At the beginning of this year, Beijing municipal government made the policy in detail and encouraged the six kinds of people specializing in areas of culture and sports to apply for the employee's residency permit for working and living in Beijing. There goes through a series of formalities for the application of the employee's residence permit. The permits are to be verified by specialists. And the permit application is free of charge.

By People's Daily Online