"I finally got my Chinese permanent ID Card!"
These heartfelt words came from Visnenka, a Belarusian blogger living in Dongguan, as she excitedly shared the moment she received her China's Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, widely known as the Five-Star Card or Chinese green card. Her emotional reaction struck a chord with Chinese netizens, and her video quickly went viral, amassing over 630,000 likes.
Visnenka has lived in China for ten years. Married to a man from Guangdong's Chaoshan region, she has built a home and career in Dongguan. Through her Douyin account, she and her husband regularly share their daily life, capturing everything from cultural surprises to family moments. Their content has earned them nearly 400,000 followers.
Recently, Visnenka posted a series of videos documenting her journey to obtaining China's Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. At one point, she even teared up, saying, "It feels official now. I truly belong here."
The Five-Star Card
The Five-Star Card is the latest version of the People's Republic of China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card for foreigners, launched in December 2023. The card simplifies life for foreign residents, serving as official identification for travel, banking, housing, and more, without the need for a passport.
Visnenka's excitement didn't stop at receiving the card. She celebrated by testing her Chinese cultural knowledge, exchanging Chinese internet slang and classic phrases with netizens, like the famous martial arts movie dialogue.
She also proudly declared her Cantonese food allegiance, saying: "I married into Guangdong, so tofu pudding is sweet, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are savory, and tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) are sweet!"
Her words sparked a wave of warm responses from Chinese followers, welcoming her as "one of us."
Q&A about Five-Star Card
Many people, especially holders of the old permanent residence card, have been asking whether they could apply for the new five-star card, and what are the process if it is possible. Below is the detailed explanation offered by the National Immigration Administration.
For Visnenka, the Five-Star Card is more than a card, it represents her commitment to China, her love for Dongguan, and the recognition of her place in society. Her story reflects the growing number of foreigners who, like her, have built a life in China and found not just a place to live, but a place to call home.
