Foreigners wishing to live in China for a long period of time must have a valid and legal stay visa. Entering China requires applying for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, but maintaining a long-term legal stay in China requires a legal long-term residence permit at the Chinese immigration. Mature applicants, who often also want to work legally in China in the future, need to plan all of the above reasonably in advance.
外国人想在中国长期生活，必须要有有效的合法的停留签证。入境中国需要在中国驻外使领馆申请签证，但保持长期合法在华停留需要在中国出入境办理合法的长期居留许可。成年的申请人，往往还要考虑到未来希望在中国合法工作，以上都需要提前合理规划。
After marrying a Chinese spouse, a foreigner can legally stay in the following ways:
与中国配偶结婚后，外国人合法居留方式如下：
1. Application for a residence permit for reunification
1. 办理团聚类居留证件
Foreign family members of Chinese citizens and foreigners with permanent residence status in China apply for residence in China for the purpose of family reunion.
中国公民和在中国具有永久居留资格外国人的外籍家庭成员因家庭团聚事由申请在华居留。
2. Work permit residence permit
2. 办理工作许可居留证件
Foreigners working in China must have the following conditions:
外国人在中国工作须具备下列条件：
(1) Be at least 18 years of age and in good health.
(1) 年满18周岁，身体健康；
(2) have the necessary professional skills and corresponding work experience to perform their jobs.
(2) 具有从事其工作所必须的专业技能和相应的工作经历；
(3) No criminal record.
(3) 无犯罪记录；
(4) There is an identified hiring unit.
(4) 有确定的聘用单位；
(4) Hold a valid passport or other international travel document that can be used in lieu of a passport (hereinafter referred to as a document in lieu of a passport).
(4) 持有有效护照或能代替护照的其他国际旅行证件(以下简称代替护照的证件)。
Meeting the above conditions also requires a detailed assessment of the category for which the foreign spouse is applying for a work visa. Firstly, it is necessary to assess whether the conditions meet the application requirements and secondly, it is necessary to assess which category of talent criteria the applicant belongs to.
满足以上条件，还需要对该外籍配偶申请工签的类别做详细评估。首先要评估条件是否符合申请要求，其次要评估申请人属于哪类人才标准。
3. Application for permanent residence of foreigners
3. 办理外国人永久居留
Foreigners applying for permanent residence in China should abide by Chinese laws, be in good health, have no criminal record, and meet the following conditions.
申请在中国永久居留的外国人应当遵守中国法律，身体健康，无犯罪记录，并符合下列条件：
Marriage to a Chinese citizen.
与中国公民结婚的；
The marriage has survived for five years.
婚姻关系存续满5年的；
To stay in China for five consecutive years and to stay in China for not less than nine months each year.
在中国连续居留满5年，每年在中国居留不少于9个月；
Have a stable living security and residence.
有稳定的生活保障和住所的。
In the long run, it is more in the interest of the foreigner to apply for permanent residence. The best way for foreigners married to a Chinese spouse to live and work in China for a long time is to apply for a Chinese permanent residence card.
从长远角度来说，申请永居更符合外国人的利益。和中国配偶结婚长期生活和工作在中国的外籍人士，最好的方式的就是办理中国永居卡，外国人获得中国永居身份后：入境中国不再需要申请签证；在中国长期居留不受限制；在中国就业可免办外国人来华工作许可；驾驶自由；金融账户便利；享受医保福利和住房公积金。
resource: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/MmN8pgcfdVP2njlbJwv4og
