Non-Beijingers will now be able to apply for registration as permanent residents of the Chinese capital. The city's new point-based will open Monday. So how does it work? OMAR KHAN has more.

The much-coveted Beijing resident status, or hukou, will be available for more non-native Beijing workers, with the launch of a point-based system.

Beijing has not yet determined the total points required, but some qualifications, and their point values, are known.

An applicant must have a temporary Beijing residence permit, be below retirement age, have made social insurance payments for seven consecutive years, and have no criminal record.

Those with good employment, stable homes in Beijing, strong educational background, and achievements in innovation are likely to score well.

By the end of 2017, the number of people holding a Beijing hukou reached 14 million, with the city's permanent population totaling over 20 million.

A Beijing hukou means better social welfare benefits and access to public schools for children. The point-based system has been piloted in first-tier cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The goal is to satisfy the demand for personnel flow while limiting rapid growth in the permanent population. Beijing hopefuls have two months to get their applications done. Winners will be announced in the fourth quarter. OMAR KHAN, CGTN.