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Hello there!

To obtain a permanent visa in China, you would typically need to apply for a Chinese Green Card, which is challenging and requires meeting specific criteria, such as significant investment, high-level employment, or family reunification.

The Z Visa is for work and usually requires renewal.

For long-term residency, you might consider a residence permit, which can be extended.

Regarding housing, the cheapest homes to rent are often found in smaller cities or rural areas.

Americans can own property in China, but it usually requires living in the country for at least a year and is limited to one residential property.

Assuming you are eligible to live in China, e.g employed here or have family here, then you must apply for a Residence Permit from the local PSB (public security bureau) within 4 weeks of arriving in China. After that you would probably be required to make a trip to Hong Kong and back but your local PSB can advise you on arrival here. Your initial Residents Permit will typically last for 2 years and require a full medical certificate. You can get your examination at approved hospitals in China which will be vastly cheaper than being examined in the US.

Foreigners can buy a residential property here after typically being resident here for a year. Check the internet but the regulations can vary by city/province. Price of property tends to be more expensive in the bigger cities. 2nd hand properties (fully kitted out with utilities) are probably less expensive than new properities that require paying a specialist building company to decorate and install lighting, gas, water, floors etc. The housing market is struggling at the moment so you could well find a property at up to half it's build price.

Chinese embassies in foreign countries issue visas; Public Security Bureau (PSB) offices in China issue residence permits.

The Z-visa is the temporary gateway for foreigners to enter China and apply for a residence permit at their local PSB office. It is not intended to be renewed. It gives you a 90-day window to enter China. Once you enter, you have a 30-day window to submit a residence permit application to your local PSB office.

When the PSB approves that application, they will place a residence permit sticker in your passport. You won't need your Z-visa anymore. If you leave and re-enter China, just show your valid residence permit to the passport inspection.

In our experience, you need to leave China if you are changing visa categories, like L-visa to Z-visa. You do not need to leave China when your application is approved and you switch from a Z-visa to a residence permit.

Note that a residence permit is separate from a permanent residence card and easier to obtain. Residence permits are usually issued for one or two years and are renewable after that.