Of course you can apply.  In fact, any living person also can apply too.  But one thing is applying, and another is getting it.  And in order to qualify for a resident (not residence) visa (or green card, Chinese version), you will need to invest a minumum of $ 3 to $5 million US dollars or the equivalent in other currencies to have any hopes of getting it.  And the investment must be within mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau do not qualify.

Michael84:  please be realistic.  The resident visa to China is at present time is sort of a wet dream for foreigners.  According to recent statistical data, less than 1000 persons have managed to get one, and many have either being in China for decades, or are acting managers of foreign corporations in China.  I do know foreigners, married to Chinese ladies for over 20 years, and living in China under a 2 years' residence permit, unable to obtain a resident visa after many frustrating requests.  As far as the amount to be invested, it would depend on the official handling the application, and his needs and wants.  You can bet that you will not get it with a 1/2 million US dollars investment, that amount will not even qualify you for "guangxi", even if Google says so. Even 2 million will just not do it. When I became interested in one, I was given 3 different investment choices, the smaller one requested a 30 million Rmb investment for a 30 years lease on a lake to create a tourist attraction. At the end of 30 years, the whole thing, including developed property, reverted back to the government, and you get to keep their "projected" 17 % ROI.

I don't think the original poster means a residence visa, but simply any visa that allows him to stay in China.

This is also what I am interested in regarding a HK company. Not a permanent visa.

the answer above are not true,Firstly  you can not apply a resident permit under your company's name,Hongkong company,Secondly you can apply resident permit here in MAINLAND China by opening a company here ,there are several types of companies options,no need 1/2 or 2 million USD,we are foreign investment service center and know it clear about the current policy.

i suggest u can do through this way ..and it helped me a lot...take 2 of your chinese friends and tell them to open a consulting company on their names ..which shoudnt t be diffcullt for them and then later on ..u become the sponsor of the company that is called fa ren....the documents that u need are as follows which are quite easy if u can do exactly as i say ...

3 years of experiance certicate in your country <a legit stamp on it >later get it translated and put your comapny stamp on it..

<health certicate <depending on your ity ..pls baidu it online>

company license photocopy 

the contract between both the parties<u and your chinese friends>

company bank documents...<which u get when u open your company>

and then go to the local labor office where they will give u a small book stating that ur postion in the company and name of your company....

take that ,company license copy,health certifcate copy and 2 white back ground photos,local residence permit from the local police station and submit it....with all these documents there and given ...then u get legit work permit....my suggestion..find 2 of your chinese friends and do this ...

Necro Post

Actually, if you want to open a company in china, it only cost 1660 USD, not as much as 1 million dollars at all. With the foreign invested Chinese company, it is easy to apply for a residence visa in china. 

Actually, if you want to open a company in china, it only cost 1660 USD, not as much as 1 million dollars at all. With the foreign invested Chinese company, it is easy to apply for a residence visa in china. 

Actually, if you want to open a company in china, it only cost 1660 USD, not as much as 1 million dollars at all. With the foreign invested Chinese company, it is easy to apply for a residence visa in china.