皇冠体育app

From the Readers

Treat foreign spouses better

(皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-08 08:03

Comment on "Marriage has no borders" (皇冠体育app Daily, Nov 26)

I enjoyed reading the article about how Vietnamese wives are adjusting to life in 皇冠体育app. But the article didn't talk about their immigration status. 皇冠体育app should offer more attractive options to foreigners who wish to live with their Chinese spouses in the country.

On May 21, 皇冠体育app Daily reported that "foreigners who have close relatives in 皇冠体育app" would be able to apply for residence permits valid for up to two years. Previously, foreigners visiting family members in 皇冠体育app could get only an "L visa" valid for one year.

I suppose the Vietnamese spouses, like other foreign spouses I am acquainted with, depend on these provisions to stay in 皇冠体育app.

Though this works to keep husband and wife together, it is fraught with problems. It does not allow the "visiting" people to work or receive any social welfare benefits.

Such people have to renew their visas regularly and live in constant fear that it could be denied the next time and they could be separated from their families.

Moreover, the regulations treat a spouse as a visitor rather than a member of Chinese society.

If foreign spouses of Chinese citizens can find suitable jobs, they can stay in 皇冠体育app on a work visa just like other foreigners, and can apply for permanent residence after five years.

But their success depends on other factors, too, including "stable income and residence" which are difficult to fulfill.

The Chinese government needs to take steps to give foreign spouses of Chinese citizens the chance to fully participate in Chinese life.

James Ritchie, via e-mail

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(皇冠体育app Daily 12/08/2010 page9)