The scope: foreigners who used to live in China with three types of visa like J-1, Z and X.

Necessary materials:

Foreigners permanently living in Beijing should provide original or copy of passport and residence permit;

People who've already departed Beijing and have authorized others to process it on their behalf should provide one of the following: 

Copies of passport and "Residence Permit" or "Graduation Certificate" during the period of their stay in Beijing;

People holding ordinary passports in the embassy should submit evidential material provided by the embassy;

Foreign students should submit evidential material provided by universities or colleges (Office of Foreign Students, Office of Foreign Affairs, Department of Security);

Other people should submit evidential material provided by the Chinese administrative party (the place you work in during your stay in China)

Diplomats should submit evidential material provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Notice: The content of evidential material includes full name in Chinese and foreign language, nationality, date of birth, arrive and depart times in the work unit and any criminal record. This requires to be signed along with the date of submission and the official seal added. 

Consultative tel: 86-10-6402 7616, 6402 7615

Source: Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau

(China.org.cn December 4, 2006)