Applying for a Chinese Statement of Non-Criminal Record (NCR)
In this article, we describe the process to obtain a Chinese Statement of Non-Criminal Record (NCR). A Chinese NCR is used solely for a purpose outside China. For example, a foreigner applying for a visa for another country or a foreigner leaving China and needing to prove for a job application no criminal record during her or his stay in China. When applying for a Chinese work permit, you will be asked to get an NCR from your home country. Please see the details about this situation in an earlier article.
City level authorities in China provide NCR reports. There is no national report issued for all of China such as provided by the FBI in the USA.
Where to apply?
The answer to this question is specific to each city. In Shanghai, for example, we heard that foreigners could apply for the Chinese NCR at the main Public Security Bureau Entry and Exit Division (PSB), where one goes to apply for a Residence Permit and take care of visa matters. In other instances, some foreigners obtained a Chinese NCR via a local public notary. In other instances, there is a document required from the public notary before the PSB will issue the NCR.
What documents are required to apply?
Make sure you take these materials with you when applying:
1. Original and photocopy of your current passport and current Chinese residence permit. If you changed passports during your time in China, make sure to also have the original old passport and photocopy.
2. Photocopies of all Chinese visas and all exit and entry stamps during your travels in and out of China.
3. Some cities require an original and a photocopy of your latest certificate of temporary residence from the local police station or the last one from when you lived in that city. Other cities accept any certificate during your time there.
4. Some cities require a photo that meets Chinese visa requirements; others do not require this.
5. A letter - In some situations this letter must be from your company/university, with the company stamp confirming that they need a Chinese NCR. In other cases a letter of intent from the applicant will suffice. In some cases a letter from the employer you worked for in that city is required.
6. During the application process you may be asked to identify the country(ies) you wish this report to be valid for.
7. For students: requested to provide student identification card, study certificate, diploma, and/or other related materials.
For dependents: requested to provide relationship certificate with the person who has a job (marriage/birth certificate).
8. If the applicant authorizes someone else, an agent, to apply on their behalf, a Power of Attorney (POA) is required. The POA should include the purpose of the POA, the information with regards to the requested NCR and purpose, personal details of both applicant and agent, and applicant’s original signature. If applicant is no longer in China, some cities require applicant’s signature to be notarized locally and authenticated by a Chinese embassy or consulate.
How long does it take?
From feedback we collected, it takes 5 to 35 working days to get a Chinese NCR. We suggest you question your local entity processing your application.
After receiving your NCR, you will need to have it translated from Chinese text, notarized by a local public notary and authenticated by the Foreign Affairs Office in order for it to be used outside China.
You can find the Foreign Affairs Offices of Provincial Governments, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities for your city of residence in China at this link: http://ipc.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xglj/t286135.htm
Special thanks to David Atnip for his contributions to this article.
About the authors:
Julian runs a company that works with individuals and organizations doing business between the US, China, and Africa. He has been based in China for a number of years.
Ikbal (known by the nickname “Ikky”) is an R&D Manager working in Shanghai. He has been living in China for over 11 years.
Jatin (known by the nickname "Prince Jatin") is a multicloud DevOps Engineer working in Shanghai. He has been living in China for over seven years and owns three Indian community WeChat groups known for "Helping Indians" with their specific inquiries.
_____________________
About Expat Services
In China, it can be a challenge for expatriates to find the information they are looking for, as it is usually very scattered. Therefore, one may miss opportunities to attend an event, to build their professional network, to try out a leisure activity or to simply meet new people.
Expat Services is more than just a website: it aims to centralise relevant information and keep foreigners posted about what they should not miss in Shanghai, and soon in some other big cities of China.
But on top of that, Expat Services is also committed to building bridges between the different communities of foreigners in the city, whether they are staying short term or long term, and help them make the most of their stay here.
It is our vocation to connect foreigners to organisations and service providers that we have handpicked for their expertise and their professionalism, and we hope to become your best companion during your time in China.
On a regular basis, we keep updated a selection of events and promotional offers. Please follow the links below:
To get your free ExS Membership card, please click here.