What are the inconveniences for foreigners without a green card in China?

(1) In terms of transportation, if you took the high-speed train a few years ago, after booking your tickets online, you must go to the manual window to pick up your tickets.

If the ticket booking time is much in advance and there is time, the ticket office will mail the tickets to my designated address.

Now foreigners no longer need to go to the manual window to pick up tickets when buying tickets. When entering the station, they use the manual passage. When entering the gate at the platform, they can use their foreign passport or swipe it directly like an ID card.

If you are flying, in the past, after booking a ticket with a foreign passport, you could only ask the ground staff to print a paper boarding pass before boarding the plane, and you could not pick up the ticket at the self-service check-in machine.

Now before taking a flight, you can directly check in at the official accounts of major airlines and generate an electronic boarding pass, then go to the airport to check in your luggage and board the plane.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: Most people have experienced the convenience of high-speed rail and airplanes. As long as you have a resident ID card, it is very convenient to buy tickets, take a bus, and board a plane. You can go wherever you go. Just swipe your ID card to go through the formalities.

If it is a foreign passport, it did have a lot of inconveniences in the past, but now it may be gradually moving closer to the ID card, and the ease of use has been greatly improved.

Regarding this article, the situation may be different in many places. For example, the poster said that you can swipe your passport to enter the station to take the high-speed rail and high-speed trains, but I know that in some cities, you cannot take the train by swiping your passport. The ticket purchaser must go to the manual window to obtain a paper ticket with his passport before he can ride.

(2) When going to banks or various government service agencies to do business, you have to queue up to get a number.

Chinese people can directly swipe their ID cards on the self-service machines to get a number. In the past, foreigners had to find staff on the spot to queue up to get a number. Now they can also get a number by themselves by entering their passport number.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: After all, ID cards are more convenient. Now major public places have improved their service scope and service efficiency, so foreigners who use passports to do things can also enjoy the convenience of identity cards. The same treatment as the certificate.

(3) Online financial services. A few years ago, China’s Alipay did not allow foreign passport holders to apply for accounts. Foreigners could only apply for accounts at the international version of Alipay. Now they can also apply for Chinese accounts.

But there is one thing. The Alipay account applied for by a foreign passport has an annual consumption limit. The limit is several thousand yuan without a bank card. If the bank card is bound and passed real-name authentication, the annual limit is 100,000 yuan. .

So now I have Alipay credit limit, WeChat payment credit limit, and Alipay Family Card together, which is enough.

Mumu Shangao commented: Chinese Internet companies, especially in online payment business, have always been in a leading position in the world.

In China, everyone from celebrities to street vendors and even beggars have realized the convenience of online payment and enjoyed the dividends brought by the development of the Internet.

WeChat Pay and Alipay are the two apps that Chinese people use most every day. They are very convenient for payment, transfer and shopping in our daily life.

There is no quota limit for ordinary Chinese people to use Alipay and WeChat Pay. As long as you have money, you can spend it as you like.

No matter what you want to buy, you can buy it as much as you want.

But when foreigners apply for Alipay, even if they bind a bank card and pass real-name authentication, the limit is only 100,000 yuan a year. This limit is definitely not enough for urban families.

Buying a few air tickets, booking a few nights in a hotel, daily meals, shopping on Double Eleven, and buying gifts during the New Year and the holidays can easily exceed 100,000 per year.

My experience is that monthly consumption through Alipay is about 20,000-50,000 yuan, including eating, shopping, transportation, recharge phone bills, water, electricity, heating, property fees, etc.

This poster must have a lot of family consumption, and the 100,000/year Alipay quota is definitely not enough, so we can only use Alipay, plus the WeChat payment quota, and the family affection in Alipay Card services.

The Alipay Family Card service is to bind your account to another main account. When you consume, you can choose not to deduct money from your own account, but to deduct money from the bound main account, so that No more taking up your own consumption quota.

The consumption limit of the Family Card is 20,000 RMB per month, which is 240,000 RMB per year.

Adding the limits of several payment instruments should be enough for him.

(4) In terms of daily telephone communication, when foreigners apply for phone cards and use mobile phones, the packages provided by operators only have two or three specific options to choose from.

Mumu Shangao commented: I have heard this news a long time ago. There is a big difference between Chinese residents carrying ID cards and foreigners carrying passports when applying for mobile phone SIM cards.

If you hold a domestic resident ID card and go to the business office to apply for a new number, you can apply for various ordinary packages, with the cheapest prices ranging from 5 yuan/month to hundreds or thousands of yuan/month. , choose according to your needs.

If you only have a foreign passport, you can only apply for mobile phone plans for "foreigners".

This kind of package for foreigners is different from ordinary domestic packages in terms of call minutes and Internet traffic. The price is slightly more expensive. Foreigners also need to go to the business office with their passports to register with their real names when applying for the card. .

There are few mobile phone plans to choose from, communication costs are expensive, and daily life costs will increase.

(5) In terms of tourism, before the epidemic, the control of tourism accommodation in various regions was not so strict. Foreigners traveling to other places can stay in various hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, guest houses, and resorts.

After the outbreak, control was upgraded to the highest level and was extremely strict. Among all previous accommodation options, only five-star hotels could still accept foreigners.

So this leads to an instant increase of 5-10 times in travel costs.

Furthermore, after the outbreak, when foreigners go to other cities other than their usual place of residence, epidemic prevention and control are also very strict. Epidemic prevention inspections in various public places and hotel accommodations are often required. Foreigners fill out 3-4 forms.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: In the past, I remember that foreigners could only stay in hotels and guesthouses with foreign-related qualifications when they came to China. Generally, hotels with three stars or above have this qualification and can receive foreigners.

Relevant hotels with this qualification will also clearly state in their publicity that they can receive foreign tourists.

"Foreign-related hotels" are no longer what they used to be called. Nowadays, foreigners coming to China do not need to stay in foreign-related hotels. They can get accommodation anywhere as long as they present valid documents recognized by mainland China for entry.

It’s just that some small hotels’ equipment cannot read electronic passports and registration is troublesome, so they are unwilling to receive foreign tourists.

In fact, the issue of hotels for foreigners when traveling seems to be different in each city. I know that some foreigners can only stay in three-star or above hotels when they come to Beijing.

After the outbreak, great changes have taken place in all aspects of people’s lives. Since it is an epidemic prevention requirement, foreigners can only comply with it.

Staying in a 5-star hotel is very expensive, so you should bear it yourself. You have to fill out 3-4 forms everywhere. This is also an epidemic prevention regulation, so there is no need to mention it.

At this time, the advantages of the Chinese Resident ID Card are shown. There are no restrictions on accommodation, and you don’t need to fill in so many forms when going to other cities. Just take out your mobile phone and scan the QR code of Health Treasure. .

(6) Many convenient apps in China cannot be registered by foreigners using their passports, because many apps are set to only accept registration with Chinese resident ID cards, so I cannot use many local convenience apps.

For example, if you normally make an appointment for a nucleic acid test on a hospital app or mini-program, you can get it done within 5 minutes if you have your resident ID card.

I can only go to the hospital to make an appointment with my social security card and passport, and can only receive paper reports. Because there is no electronic registration, I cannot receive the electronic report.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: Although these things are not big things in daily life, it is quite troublesome to run back and forth several times to handle them.

If you have a resident ID card and want a nucleic acid test, you must first register for the mini program online, then make an appointment, pay the fee, and finally check the electronic report, all through your mobile phone.

As long as you go to the hospital yourself when doing the nucleic acid test.

If you are a foreigner, you first have to queue up on-site to register, pay, and then get tested. One day later, you have to make another trip to get the paper test results. This will require at least two trips to the hospital, which wastes a lot of time. , and it also consumes a lot of money and energy.

(7) Foreigners must go to designated hospitals to get the COVID-19 vaccine in China. There are only 2 hospitals in the city that provide this service, and other hospitals do not accept it. For foreigners to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, foreigners can register as foreigners on the vaccine appointment platform.

Only a paper certificate can be issued after vaccination, which is the only proof.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: If you hold a Chinese resident ID card, getting vaccinated is very simple.

Let me talk about my own experience with vaccination. Although I have not yet been vaccinated, I basically understand the vaccine services.

First of all, the neighborhood committee where my registered permanent residence is located called me and asked me about my actual residential address. After confirming that I was in Beijing, they told me the time and place of vaccination organized by the community and suggested that I bring my ID card with me. , just go to the site and line up, and get vaccinated for free.

I didn’t go to get vaccinated, but every once in a while, I would receive a text message reminder from the neighborhood committee that there is a free vaccination service in the jurisdiction, at XX location, at XX time.

It is better to get vaccinated during XX time period, because there are fewer people and there is no need to queue.

As for the certificate of vaccination, it is even simpler. There is no need for paper certificates at all. Paper certificates are inconvenient to carry with you and are easy to lose, which is very troublesome.

For friends around me, after receiving the vaccine, the Health Treasure applet on the mobile phone will display the time of vaccination and how many shots of vaccine have been completed.

No matter where you go in the future, if you need to check your vaccination status, just turn on your phone and show the person.

(8) I hold a work visa in China, and my employer has provided me with social security and medical insurance, so it is very convenient to use the social security card for medical treatment.

The health code of foreigners can only be obtained through the "National Government Service Platform" applet. You can register in Alipay and WeChat. When entering various public places and checking the health code, there are Sometimes the security guards notice that my health code looks different from other people's health codes, and they often have to explain it.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: For foreigners with formal jobs in China, it is normal for their employer to apply for social security cards and medical insurance cards.

It is also more convenient to use your medical insurance card to register, pay, and seek medical treatment at the hospital.

As for what the health code looks like, I have never seen what the health code of foreigners looks like. If the health code of foreigners is different from the health code of Chinese people, many security guards have never seen it and need to ask in detail. It's normal.

(9) Foreigners who apply for a Chinese family visit visa can apply for a five-year residence permit, but they are not allowed to work. If you apply for a work visa, you can only renew it once a year. Every year, you must start submitting information for review (company information and personal information) three months before the visa expires. If you exceed the time limit, points will be deducted, which will affect future renewals. If you have always done a good job If your score is high, renewal can be expedited.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: I don’t know much about foreigners applying for Chinese visas, and I don’t know what the detailed policies are.

But when working in China, it is really not easy to renew your work visa every year. In fact, if you are renewing your own tourist visa, you only need to prepare the materials yourself.

The key is to renew the work visa every year, which also involves the company preparing materials. This is relatively complicated, because it causes a lot of trouble to the company, and it has to be done every year.

So many companies are unwilling to recruit foreigners when recruiting. In other words, the employment options and opportunities for foreigners in China are much lower than those of ordinary Chinese residents.

For example, if you are a human resources manager and you want to recruit a new employee at this time, two people come for the interview. The conditions and abilities of the two people are almost the same. A is a Chinese resident and B is a foreigner.

As a human resource, who will you choose to join the company?

Thinking normally, I would definitely choose A, because when all the circumstances are the same, it would be much easier to recruit Chinese residents.

If you choose B and recruit a foreigner, you have to prepare materials to help him apply for a work visa every year. This is also a waste of manpower, material resources, time and money.

Comparing the two AB, I would definitely choose the one with less trouble.

For foreigners, it is definitely not easy to find a job in China, because when looking for a job, the intended company must have a certain size. If it is a small company, there is probably no one. Understand the relevant procedures for recruiting foreigners.

And if I change jobs, it may be more troublesome. I don’t just leave when I want. In addition to considering salary and benefits, I also have to consider whether the new company is willing to assist me in applying for a work visa every year.

The new company may also be considering that if it can recruit Chinese residents, it should try not to consider foreigners. One thing more is worse than one thing less.

(10) If the real-name authentication is Alipay or WeChat for foreigners, when shopping online, if the other seller’s account is overseas, the transaction cannot be carried out and the transaction will be displayed as failed.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: The state and Internet companies have restrictions on foreigners’ Alipay and WeChat payments. There must be reasons. There is a high probability that it may be related to financial security issues, such as money laundering. )

Chinese residents have no restrictions on Alipay and WeChat in this regard. Whether they are shopping on large websites or shopping overseas, they can make normal purchases.

(11) You cannot buy medicine on takeout platforms. ***Xiang bicycles/electric vehicles can only be used by scanning the QR code after identity verification and name verification, and entering the passport number is not accepted.

Mumu Shangao commented: Chinese Internet companies’ takeout has become popular all over the world, and every resident enjoys the convenience brought by takeout.

Now the food delivery platform not only delivers food, but also launches medicine delivery services, especially nighttime medicine delivery services, which greatly meets the needs of consumers.

Because medicines are special items, only Chinese residents who have passed identity verification can purchase them on the online platform and enjoy delivery services. It is normal that foreigners cannot place orders on the online platform.

When foreigners are sick, if they have a headache or fever, they can only go through the normal process, go to the hospital to register and see a doctor, ask the doctor to prescribe medicine and then pick up the medicine at the pharmacy.

***Bike sharing also requires real-name authentication. As for the fact that foreigners cannot complete real-name authentication with their passports, I don’t know the reason.

I think there is a unified solution for these two things, which is to let relatives (spouse) use accounts that have passed real-name verification to place orders, scan QR codes, and enjoy services.

It is possible for the same account on two mobile phones to unlock two free bikes at the same time.

(12) It is very troublesome for foreigners to purchase financial products from banks. Even the most common financial products (similar to Yu’e Bao) require proof of income.

Mumu Shangao’s comment: If you are Chinese and open a bank account through your resident ID card, you should complete a risk test on the day of account opening, which means to show the bank that you know that financial management is risky. You can use online banking or mobile apps to purchase various financial products from major banks or Internet companies.

There are also funds and stocks, which are probably in a similar situation.

It is very troublesome for foreigners to purchase financial services, and it should also involve financial security issues, so banks have set some thresholds.

It is also reasonable to require foreigners to provide proof of income before they can buy financial management. It should not be a problem for foreigners with formal jobs in China. However, if you live in China for a long time and do not have an actual job, you may want to buy a financial product. Managing money can be more difficult.

In addition, let’s talk about some additional new information I gained that I didn’t know before.

(1) There seem to be certain restrictions on foreigners traveling to Xinjiang and Tibet. They generally have to travel in groups with qualified large travel agencies.

Although foreigners are sometimes allowed to travel freely in Xinjiang and Tibet, the inspection of foreigners at each checkpoint is relatively strict.

And some small cities may not allow foreigners to stay overnight and must leave on the same day.

If you travel and stay in Xinjiang and Tibet, you can only stay in the highest-level hotels or guesthouses in the area, so the cost of travel instantly increases by N times.

(2) For foreigners, it is inconvenient to register on many online platforms because you must enter Chinese characters when filling in your name when registering. However, when checking the verification document, there are no Chinese characters on the foreign passport, which causes The embarrassing situation of being unable to verify your true identity.

You may only be able to call customer service and complete registration manually.

(3) Foreigners cannot go to street Internet cafes to surf the Internet casually.

Finally, some people may have questions, since this Australian Chinese has relatives (spouse) in China, has lived in China for several years, and has a formal job.

Why doesn’t this Australian Chinese apply for a Chinese green card?

With permanent residence in China and a Chinese green card, it can be used like an ID card, making life in the country more convenient.

First of all, since everyone can think of a solution, this poster must have thought of it a long time ago. Since he has never applied for a Chinese green card, there must be a reason.

He didn’t say it, and I don’t know. I guess applying for a Chinese green card is not as simple as many self-media propaganda.

In the end, you will see many inconveniences for foreign Chinese living in China, but my suggestions and conclusions are more reliable and beneficial to most people.