The National Immigration Administration of China (NIA) held a press conference in Beijing on September 15, during which it was announced that a new version of the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People’s Republic of China will be officially issued and put into use from December 1, 2023. The card number will be extended from 15 to 18 digits, providing each individual with an exclusive and lifelong identifier. The new card will be able to be used online for travel, consumption, financial services and other private matters, which makes the work, study and life easier for foreigners in China.

The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card is a legal identity document issued by the NIA to qualified foreigners whose permanent residence applications have been approved. It can be used alone as a personal identity document. Holders can use the card as a legal certificate for accommodation registration, paying for train, ship or airline tickets and other occasions that require personal identification, without having to show their passports.

The new card takes on a new look. It now features a newly designed Great Wall pattern and five stars that symbolize the country, showcasing China's image and concept. Experts have colloquially dubbed it the “Five-Star Card”. It applies more advanced anti-counterfeit technologies and better methods for information storage and management.

After the new card is put into use, holders can use it to handle private matters online, such as travel, daily consumption and financial services. It can be used as a personal identity document for various matters such as finance, education, health care, travel, accommodation, communication, work, taxation and social security, property registration, and litigation. When presented along with a valid passport, the card allows its holder to enter and exit the Chinese border multiple times, without the need for visa applications. Cardholders can purchase tickets for airplanes, trains, and ships as well as hotel check-in in China. The card serves as a legal identification document for dealing with financial services such as banking, insurance and securities, as well as social affairs such as communication, taxation and property registration.