The 2023 Guangzhou Household Registration Policy Updates

In Guangzhou, there have been significant changes in the household registration policies over the past year. These updates include the following:

1. The Age Limit for Talents Entering Guangzhou is Relaxed

Talented individuals with undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degrees, as well as those with intermediate and senior professional qualifications, can now enter Guangzhou at an older age, with an age limit extended by five years.

2. Lowering the Hukou Threshold

“Double First-Class” university undergraduate people seeking to enter Guangzhou will no longer need to have a six-month record of social security payments to meet entry requirements; only participation is necessary.

3. Simplified Procedures for College Graduates

College graduates who come to Guangzhou for employment or business are entitled to apply for household registration directly at the public security department without any complicated intermediaries.

Guangzhou Household Registration Eligibility Criteria

Guangzhou's household registration policy divides the population into several types:

1. Guangzhou Points-based Hukou

With the points-based hukou policy, applicants do not take exams nor have education requirements; instead, they must meet the following criteria:

- Legally and steadily employed or engaged in business in the city

- Below 45 years of age

- Hold a valid Guangdong Province Residence Permit

- Made social insurance contributions for at least 4 years

- Total points calculated based on the "Guangzhou Points System and Score Table for Household Registration" of no less than 100 points (currently, the latest draft proposal requires 150 points)

- No criminal record within five years of the application

2. Education-based Hukou

Candidates are evaluated solely based on educational background:

- No criminal record

- 40 years of age or younger

- Undergraduate degree from a regular university or college + bachelor's degree certificate

- Normal social insurance contributions (Note: A regular university refers to a university that admits students enrolling through national college entrance examination, while students who obtained their degrees through self-study are not included)

- For college graduates, no Guangzhou social security is needed

3. Professional Title-based Hukou

Candidates who have professional titles but whose educational qualifications may not suffice can apply as follows:

- Intermediate title (System Integration Certificate) + under 40 years of age + 6 months of Guangzhou social security contributions

- Senior title (Information Project Management Certification) + under 50 years of age + Guangzhou social security contributions throughout the application period

4. Skills-based Hukou

Candidates who fit the following criteria:

- Engaged in a profession listed on the Guangzhou Technology and Skill Talent Importing Catalog

- Holding a certificate or passing a certification assessment in the field

- Worked in Guangzhou and contributed to social security for more than six months (aside from the special cases designated in the policy's transition period)