Obtain Chinese Citizenship - Requirements and Steps

Interested in obtaining citizenship in China in 2026? Legal advice and support can be provided by our immigration lawyers in China for those interested in Chinese citizenship. Please explore this article and find out useful information before applying.

Quick Facts
Nationalities accepted	All
Law regarding the Chinese citizenship	Chinese Nationality Law
Dual nationality	Not accepted
Can the Chinese nationality be restored? (Yes/No)	Yes, it is possible to recover Chinese nationality after it has been lost.
Who is in charge of citizenship applications in China?	Ministry of Public Security
Who does approve/dismiss the citizenship applications of foreigners?	Ministry of Public Security (National Immigration Administration); local PSBs only receive applications
Requirements to obtain Chinese citizenship	– fill out the form; – provide supporting documents; – prove knowledge of Chinese knowledge
Citizenship application processing time	6 months
Methods for obtaining citizenship in China	Naturalization (Art. 7 Nationality Law) if: – close relatives are Chinese nationals, – settled in China, – other legitimate reasons
Is knowledge of language necessary to obtain citizenship in China? (Yes/No)	Yes
Benefits to obtain Chinese citizenship	– medical assistance, – housing, – pensions, – unemployment insurance, – other social welfare benefits
Personal income tax rate	– 3% for monthly taxable income up to CNY3,000 (annual brackets: up to CNY36,000); – 10% for income between CNY3,001 and 12,000; – 20% for income between CNY12,001 and 25,000; – 25% for income between CNY25,001 and 35,000; – 30% for income between CNY35,001 and 55,000; – 35% for income between CNY55,001 and 80,000; – 45% for income over CNY80,000
Is permanent residence certificate required for citizenship? (Yes/No)	Yes
How can you get the permanent residence certificate?	The applicant should apply for a D visa at a Chinese embassy and acquire a Certificate of Permanent Residence of Aliens from the public security authority that has accepted the applications within 30 days of admission.
When should I pay the fee for citizenship?	While submitting the documents for citizenship application
Criminal record solicited for citizenship application (YES/NO)	YES
Chinese citizenship through marriage	Gained through the naturalization process
Chinese citizenship by descent	Granted if at least one parent is Chinese
Citizenship for children born in China from parents without citizenship	They can become Chinese citizens if their parents live in China.
Birthright citizenship (jus soli)	Not provided
Restoring Chinese citizenship (YES/NO)	YES
Applying for citizenship outside China	Through embassies and consulates
Chinese citizenship for minors	The parents or tutors can make the application.
Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO)	NO
Applicable immigration policies	Different immigration policies in China, Hong Kong and Macau
What happens to Chinese citizens who acquire foreign nationality?	They lose their Chinese citizenship.
Chinese passport ranking	Ranked 61st on the Guide Passport Index
Visa-free access	Around 82 countries
Visa on arrival with a Chinese passport	In countries like Saudi Arabia (Thailand and the UAE are visa-free for Chinese passport holders)
Why work with our lawyers in China	We have experience in citizenship cases and we can help foreigners gain this status by managing the procedures.

What is the legislation on citizenship in China?

Chinese Nationality Law.

Who can apply for Chinese citizenship?

All nationalities.

IMPORTANT: Immigration authorities in China are very strict regarding the naturalization of foreigners. Thus, the process is often seen as quite complex.

Where is citizenship application done in China?

At the Ministry of Public Security in China, the Public Security Bureau.

Who grants the final approvals for Chinese citizenship?

The National Immigration Administration.

Here is an infographic with information on Chinese citizenship:

What types of citizenship are available in China?

By descent – if one of the parents is Chinese,
By marriage – through naturalization (a Chinese spouse counts as a close relative; the law sets no minimum marriage period).

NOTE: Birthright or Jus Soli citizenship is not granted in China.

What are the main requirements for citizenship in China?

present proof of permanent residency in China and a valid passport,
prove knowledge of the Chinese/Mandarin language,
provide birth/marriage certificates and complete a standard form,
present a clear criminal record, etc.

IMPORTANT:

applicants will have to prove they have strong reasons or ties when applying for Chinese citizenship. The Ministry of Public Security in China reserves the right to reject citizenship applications at its discretion,
people living in Hong Kong (a special administrative region of China) must live at least 7 years as permanent residents before applying for naturalization.

Is dual citizenship allowed in China?

No.

You are invited to watch a video presentation we have prepared on this topic:

In which cases is Chinese citizenship lost or renounced?

Article 9 of the Chinese Nationality Law states that a Chinese citizen who emigrates overseas and obtains foreign citizenship ceases to be a Chinese national.

Are there any citizenship law updates in China in 2026?

there is no 2026 change: under Art. 8 of the Nationality Law (unchanged since 1980) applicants must give up their citizenship of origin before granting Chinese nationality.
no official 2026 rule on tax history documents has been published. Check current requirements with the National Immigration Administration.
foreigners are not included in the household registration system (hukou); instead, residence registration with the police applies to foreigners relocating to China. Digital verifications can be done at the time citizenship applications are registered.

Are there any special cases in which dual citizenship is permitted in China?

there are no special cases; this also applies to American citizens. Americans who obtain Chinese citizenship must give up their original one (Art. 8 Nationality Law). On the other hand, China does not recognize US citizenship,
China-US dual citizenship is not legally recognized; problems arise in practice because citizens who obtain Chinese nationality can enter China with a passport issued by the local authorities, and in the US with an American passport.

Interested in residency in China? Our specialists can manage the paperwork for you. On the other hand, if you want to file for divorce in China, it is best to talk to a specialist in the field and avoid any complications. As a foreigner, if you are running a company, you are recommended to register a trademark in China for your products and services. Please contact our law firm in China and find out all the details.