What are the requirements for non-locals to participate in Beijing's license plate lottery?
3 Answers
Non-locals can participate in Beijing's license plate lottery, but they need to meet three conditions. Below are the detailed explanations of these three requirements: 1. Hold a Beijing residence permit: The primary condition is to possess a Beijing residence permit, formerly known as the temporary residence permit. 2. Continuous 60-month social security payment record: Applicants must have a continuous 60-month social security payment record. However, if there is a break in social security payments, it will not affect the lottery qualification after making up the payments. 3. Continuous five-year tax payment record: Personal income tax payments can have monthly gaps but not annual gaps. Within the continuous five years, there must be at least one personal tax payment record each year. If there is an annual gap, the five-year period needs to be recalculated.
As someone who has lived in Beijing for over a decade as an out-of-towner, I've personally endured the agonizing process of the license plate lottery. First, you must obtain a Beijing residence permit, which requires registering at the local police station at least six months in advance. The most critical requirements are social security contributions and personal income tax payments—they must be continuously paid for five full years without a single month's interruption. I had to start over because of a three-month gap when I changed jobs. You cannot have a Beijing license plate under your name, and your driver's license must be valid. Also, a reminder to everyone: both social security and tax payments must meet the requirements—having just social security isn't enough. The odds of winning the regular passenger car license plate lottery are extremely low, currently at just a fraction of a percent. Many people have switched to applying for new energy vehicle quotas instead, which also involves waiting in line but offers better chances.
Recently, I was helping my cousin research the license plate lottery policy and found that it's indeed quite challenging for non-local residents to qualify. There are mainly four strict requirements: holding a residence permit, five consecutive years of social security contributions, five consecutive years of personal income tax payments (each month must be greater than zero), and having a driver's license with no Beijing-plated car under one's name. The most difficult part is the income tax requirement—freelancers or those with low incomes often struggle to pay taxes every month. My cousin, for example, had three months last year where his income didn't reach the taxable threshold, breaking his record. I'd suggest young people consider applying only after securing stable employment, preferably preparing at least two years in advance to avoid discovering gaps in the five-year period. Currently, new energy vehicle (NEV) license plate quotas are easier to apply for, while the regular lottery pool is insanely competitive, with millions vying for just a few thousand spots.
