The Latest Changes to the Guangzhou Household Registration Policy and How to Qualify

As of 2023, there have been several policy updates to the process of obtaining a household registration (hukou) in Guangzhou. Firstly, for individuals with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree or holding a professional technical qualification at the intermediate or advanced level, the age requirement has been relaxed by five years. Additionally, the previous requirement of holding six months of continuous social insurance for the admission of undergraduate students from "double first class" universities has been eliminated, and only participation in social insurance is required for hukou admission. The process for graduate students has also been simplified, and they can proceed directly to the public security department to apply for a hukou without lengthy procedures.

Guangzhou's Latest Entry Requirements

Guangzhou Points-based Entry

For Guangzhou's points-based entry, an entry exam is not necessary, and neither are educational qualifications essential. Rather, points-based entry depends on an individual's score ranking, and Guangzhou's resident qualification is granted to those ranking high enough. To qualify, the individual must:

1. Lawfully and stably work or create a business in Guangzhou

2. Be under the age of 45

3. Have a valid Guangdong Residence Permit

4. Have paid social insurance for four years

5. Have an accumulated total score of 100 (or 150 with the updated opinion draft) based on the "Guangzhou Score-based Entry Indicator System and Scorecard Table."

6. Have no criminal records within the last five years

Guangzhou Education-based Entry

As of mid-2022, Guangzhou's talent introduction policy has indeed lowered its entry requirements. Previously, those who qualified based on their educational background needed to have continuous Guangzhou social insurance for six months to apply for Guangzhou's talent introduction policy. After July 2022, having one month of social insurance contributions is sufficient to meet Guangzhou's household registration requirements if the applicant meets the following criteria:

1. No criminal records

2. Under 40 years old

3. Holds a bachelor's degree and a bachelor's degree certificate from a regular institution of higher education

4. Has paid Guangzhou social insurance

Note that the term "bachelor's degree" refers to a degree received through regular channels, not distance education.

Guangzhou Certificate-based Entry

Certificate-based entry, also known as "entry by exam," is best suited for those with insufficient educational backgrounds and contributions to social insurance. To qualify:

1. For intermediate titles, applicants must have an integration certificate and have paid Guangzhou social insurance for six months or less and be under 40 years old.

2. For advanced titles, applicants must have an information project management certificate and have paid Guangzhou social insurance during the application period and be under 50 years old.

Guangzhou Skill-based Entry

This program is designed for individuals with technical qualifications and experience in related industries. The conditions are relatively simple to meet, provided that the individual fits the following criteria:

1. Working in the technical areas of Guangzhou's introduced technical skills talent directory

2. Obtaining a certificate or passing a related assessment and having worked in Guangzhou and participated in social insurance for over six months (excluding special circumstances during transitional policies).