Liang Shichui, a Vietnamese bride, works at her sister's husband's tea shop in Linqi town, Linzhou of Central China's Henan province on July 24, 2013. She cannot seek a job on the open job market, because she has neither a work permit or a green card. [Photo/IC]

"Until the end of 2014 the number of Vietnamese brides in Zhangzhou exceeded 2,000. They often ask about green card application, which is only approved by the Ministry of Public Security not bureaus at local level," said a member of staff, surnamed Lin, at the Zhangzhou Public Security Bureau.

"Until now no more than 10 foreigners have acquired a green card in Zhangzhou," said Lin.

The process of applying is difficult. According to a Xinhua report last year, more than 4,700 foreigners managed to get green cards by 2011, a small number compared to the 600,000 foreign inhabitants.

Zhou is not the only one facing the dilemma.

Yang Qimei, also from Ho Chi Minh City, married her 42-year-old husband and came to China in May, 2011.

Yang and two other Vietnamese brides found jobs at a local toy factory. Though not having social security, they are satisfied with their salary of more than 2,000 yuan ($323) a month, twice the salary they could earn in Vietnam.

But the job is not stable because of their foreign identity.

"We cannot pay social security for them. If it is noticed by the authority, the factory will be fined," said Zhang Jianhong, owner of the toy factory. "We hired them without knowledge of the policy, but we will not hire any more."

A foreigner is able to work in China on condition that they have a green card or approved permission. To earn permission they have to provide authority with employment evidence in related industries or a diploma of corresponding majors.

Most Vietnamese brides like Yang, who neither has a high-level of education nor professional skills, are not qualified to get the work permission. Theoretically, they cannot work to support themselves until getting a green card.