Five-year visas for foreigners on way (2)

Rule: 'Green card' mulled

But now the country is aiming to attract global talent by providing more convenient visa policies, like many other countries, including the United States.

Quintus Doamekpor, a 34-year-old from Ghana, has been working in China for 11 years. He married a Chinese, has a daughter and works as a language teacher at a school in Yuncheng, Shanxi province.

Doamekpor said he has a foreign expert certificate, and his visa must be renewed every year.

"I hope to know more requirements for the new visa application and I want to be included," he said. "My ultimate aim is to obtain a permanent residence permit."

Liu has suggested that policies should give "talent visa" holders the chance of permanent residency after they have worked in China for a certain period.

The government is considering lowering the threshold for permanent residency.

The Ministry of Public Security is drawing up a draft regulation, under which foreigners who work in China for 10 consecutive years may be eligible for a "green card".

Meanwhile, the State Council regulation states that visa management bureaus and entry-and-exit management bureaus under public security departments can keep fingerprints of foreigners who enter China.