Comments

1. Hello!

   I am Glenn and wondering if it you stay for 6 years and then you have to leave for one year?

   Here are the approximate dates of my working visas. As you can see I have been living here for 7 months about without work. I am not sure if that would qualify as a "break." In total it has been about 6 years. If I have to leave China hope long would I have to leave before I come back. The last 2 years I went to an agent to help me.

   9/18/05 - 7/18/05 10 months
   7/18/06 - 7/18/07 12 months

   7 months no work

   2/20/08 - 2/20/10 24 months
   Went back to the USA for 5 weeks
   2/20/10 - 2/20/12 24 months

   Glenn

   And if I have to leave can I go to HK, Taiwan or Singapare.

   Kindly thank you!

   Glenn

   By Glenn April 08,2012 02:43 PM

2. Hi, seems like the company who hired me is so small that I basically need the visa conversion process by myself (they pay for it but they have no idea how to do it). What would be a wise choice? Grab all the documents and go to PSB to change visa by myself? Is it possible at all? By the way, the company is a WOFE is China, so I assume employing foreigners cannot be a problem...

   By Freddie April 08,2012 04:39 PM

3. hi,i'm a filipino, have a philippine passport and tourist visa.duration of stay 15 days.what should i do if i want to extend my days to stay here in china for 1 month.,,do i still need to go back to philippines in order to renew my tourist visa?thanks hope you will give me advice regarding this matter thank you so much sir..

   By jackie junio April 09,2012 01:55 AM

4. The six year benchmark is an issue about taxes, not whether or not you can stay in the country. As I understand it, after a certain length of time in China without going back to your home country for at least 30 days, you are automatically considered a different type of taxpayer, and the taxes levied on your pay will increase significantly. As a result, most people leave the country to avoid this. However, this shouldn't apply to you, as from what I can gather, you spent five weeks in the US in 2010. As far as I know, no one is ever required to leave the country for a year, barring extreme circumstances like deportation, etc.

   By James Weir April 09,2012 11:23 AM

5. Hello Eric,

   Your wife should be able to get a Z visa in Hong Kong. You should call the Chinese Consulate in Hong Kong (852-34132424) to make sure, though, as sometimes rules and regulations change. Under normal circumstances, it should be no problem.

   Good luck,

   James

   By James Weir April 09,2012 11:27 AM

6. If you only want to extend your visa for one month, you should be able to do it at the Entry and Exit Bureau (I myself have done this twice at the Shanghai Entry and Exit Bureau). However, these rules vary by city, so check with your local Public Security Bureau (there are many offices in the cities) to find out more about the Entry and Exit Bureau, and if there is one in the city you are visiting.

   good luck!

   By James Weir April 09,2012 11:30 AM

7. Obviously, it is a very case by case basis. Your best bet is most likely getting a visa expediting service- they will know what documents you need, and will help aid in the process of applying and receiving your visa. It is very difficult to keep up with changing visa policies, so companies often do not know the specifics of the process, especially if they don't do it often. It is the visa expeditors who are always the most up to date with information, and are the best people to help you out. It will cost a bit, but is totally worth it in the long run (especially if your company is paying), and you can rest assured knowing that you have everything you need.

   let us know how it works out

   By James Weir April 09,2012 11:33 AM

8. Thanks for the kind advice! I actually found a visa agent, apart from gov't fees, they charge 1,300 RMB service fee to change visa from one employer to another. I hope this fee is reasonable, I don't really have other benchmark.

   By Freddie April 09,2012 03:36 PM

9. hi guys . i came to china with an f visa and now i am wondering if i am allowed tostay in china . without doing anything

   By kim jones April 10,2012 01:17 PM

10. You can stay in China on your F visa until it expires- at that point, you will have to get a different type of visa in order to stay. Staying in China "without doing anything", as you say you'd like to, is an option only available to Chinese citizens.

    By James Weir April 10,2012 01:37 PM

11. thanks for the help ,what i meant is that i have an f visa valid for 150 days since 21 april . and . my major starts in september ,well i was asking what i should do for this time before . i start . my major i . have been currently . at a rental apartment and i have not . registered at the police.please help

    By kim jones April 10,2012 02:18 PM

12. hi, I have an L visa right now, I wanna change it to an F visa, can I do it here in beijing?

    By rodrigo April 17,2012 07:19 PM

13. You can indeed, Rodrigo. As we mention above, according to Yuri at Get in2 China in Beijing, L visas can be changed into F,X or Z visas without every having to leave the city.

    By Miller Wey April 18,2012 10:58 AM

14. hey i was wondering if it was possible to move to China and once there find employment? or would you have to stay a while and leave?

    By jason April 24,2012 04:18 AM

15. It is certainly possible to come to China and find work here, but getting a visa once you've found work can be a bit tricky. If you can find a large enough company, though, you can definitely get a job out here and they can help you get the documents you will need to stay. Once hired, you may have to go to Hong Kong to get your Z visa and work permit, but it's a case by case basis.
    Good luck!

    By James Weir April 24,2012 09:21 AM

16. Hello there, i arrived on 5 April, i have a 30 days L visa, so i need to go back on 5 may / 4 May?
    really need ur help
    Thanks lot
    By the way, i wanna sell my wireless china unicom internet, the balance is 900 rmb, so i'll sell this (include the device) for 800 rmb, lemme know if you want

    By Joko Tengker April 28,2012 05:15 PM

17. Hi I am to teach in Shanghai starting Sept. I would like to come to China in july to settle and travel a bit. Will there be visa issues or can I get a tourist visa and change it after school starts? Will I have to leave and reenter?. I am a Canadian citizen

    By Rick April 28,2012 11:00 PM

18. You can certainly come over and poke around China for a while before your job starts in September. You will probably have to leave the mainland and go to Hong Kong come September to transfer your L visa over to the Z/Residence permit you will need to work here. So, short answer, you can definitely travel around and settle in Shanghai before you start work, but you will probably need to take a long weekend in Hong Kong.

    By James Weir May 02,2012 09:42 AM

19. Hello! I applied for a visa for short-term study (~3 months) in China this summer, expecting to receive an F visa, and when my visa and passport returned, I had an X visa within. I'm not sure how this happened, but... well, now what? Do I have to try over again for an F visa, or can I study in China for only 3 months with an X visa, while going through the steps/hassle of getting my temp. residency permit. I'm a US citizen, if it matters.

    Thank you!

    By Brett Johannson May 04,2012 04:48 AM

20. Hi Brett,

    An X visa is the visa that China issues for students studying abroad in China. I'm not sure why you thought you'd receive an F (F is for business trips- lectures, consulting, meetings, etc.), but the X visa is right up your alley. If you're only planning on staying for three months, you don't need to get a residence permit. Residents permits are required for X visa holders who plan on staying longer than 6 months.
    Have fun studying in China,

    -CT.net

    By James Weir May 04,2012 10:06 AM

21. USA citizen working in China on a F visa. Yes, illegal, I did not know until now.
    Now I want to change jobs and of course get legal with a Z visa. I have found some provinces will not allow HK to do this. Some provinces make you go to your home country. Is there a list of which provinces will allow HK to switch a F visa to a Z visa.
    Thanks,

    By Rebecca Thelen May 09,2012 03:58 PM

22. Hi, I'm studying in Shenzhen University and I am holding a temporary residence permit. Last week I found out that I am pregnant, our class room is in 6th floor and the building has no lift ( climbing the stairs every morning is tiring) and studying is so stressful. The doctor advised me to avoid stress and rest as much as I can, so I'm planning to quit school. I wonder if the university will have my visa cancelled if I quit school.

    By Di May 09,2012 06:52 PM

23. If some provinces won't let you transfer visas in HK, this is the first I have ever heard of it, and I'm not sure how that would work logistically. Certainly different provinces have different regulations on how they issue/renew visas in that specific province, but visas issued in HK and at other consulates around the world are issued by the central government and are valid all across China (with the obvious exception of areas that are under special restrictions, like Tibet, and parts of Sichuan right now).
    There shouldn't be any problems changing from a F to Z in HK (as long as you have the required invitations to work and other paperwork), but sometimes HK does require foreigners to travel to their home countries to get visas (depends on your nationality, what type of visa you are applying for and what is going on in the country) - but this is a country wide thing, and is not province related.

    By James Weir May 10,2012 03:05 PM

24. That would depend on the University, and whether or not they want to make your life difficult. I don't imagine that anyone would bother going through the process of taking away your visa, but there's no way of knowing if you don't ask.

    By James Weir May 10,2012 03:17 PM

25. @Di - it depends on your relationship with the school. They certainly have the right to cancel your residence permit but in practice, as James says, it's probably more trouble than it's worth for them. Most likely won't bother. I would actually advise not mentioning anything to them about your visa unless they bring it up (if no-one talks about it they can ignore it. As soon as it is out in the open they may feel obliged to follow official policy).. and if they do want to cancel it, just don't hand over your passport - they can't do anything without that.

    Good luck and congratulations!

    By Aimee Groom May 11,2012 11:11 AM

26. I am living in Shenzhen since three months and doing PhD study here. Recently I have been invited to present a paper in USA. My institute administration said that according to the law of P.R China you can't leave other than your country within one year of stay. In addition I have one year residence permit to stay in China. Is it the right information provided by my administration. Can I eligible to apply for US VISA to attend the conference?

    By Rashed Mustafa May 16,2012 11:13 AM

27. We don't know much about applying for US visas here at China Travel, but I am almost certain that there are no restrictions on where and how often you can travel as a residence permit holder in China. I have a residence permit here in China and have traveled to multiple countries within one year.

    In the future when asking for visa advice I would recommend stating what country you are from, as this can have a major impact on your options.

    Good luck getting to America!

    By James Weir May 16,2012 11:57 AM

28. Hello Rashed,

    I believe the administration at your institute is mistaken. I've left the country for Laos (I'm American) on my Z (work) visa, no problem. Another American friend has traveled all over Southeast Asia on either an L (tourist) or F (business) visa. As you have a residence permit, I'm assuming you're on a Z visa?

    According to the laws of the PRC, you should be fine to leave for the US (although I can't speak for your visa to the US).

    Best of luck,

    Miller

    By Miller Wey May 17,2012 03:31 PM

29. @Rasheed: This is from Nottingham Uni website http://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/international/offerholders/immigrationinsurance.aspx) regarding student visas in China. As James says, I think the only reason you might not be able to come and go as you please is your nationality:

    Residence Permit

    The holder of a study (X) visa must go through residential formalities in the local Entry-Exit Administration of Public Security Bureau within 30 days of entry into China. A fine of 500RMB per day will be applied for late lodgement of residence permit application. Please make sure you prepare revelant documents and submit to International Office

    Please see Application for Residence Permit for more detail about the documents required.

    Usually it takes 10-15 days to get the residence permit. The residence permit fee* is:

    400RMB for residency of less than one year
    800RMB for one to less than three years (including one year)
    1000RMB for three to five years (including three years).

    The fee should be paid by the student.

    Notes:

    The duration of your residence permit is generally the same as the duration of your studies at the University. The residence permit will not be effective beyond the expiry date of your passport.

    The residence permit can also be used as a multiple-entry visa which means you can go out of China and come back without any limitation on the number of times you enter and leave China, as long as the residence permit is valid.

    The international office is only responsible for advising and helping lodging relevant application documents to different Entry & Exit departments of Public Security Bureau on behalf of international students in order to reduce students' possible difficulties and troubles and is not responsible for the final result of the visa that will be issued. The right of the final decision of the type/duration/price of student's visa is on the Entry & Exit department of Ningbo Public security Bureau.

    * The charges above are current prices and subject to change by the Public Security Bureau

    By Aimee Groom May 18,2012 09:34 AM

30. Hi,

    I have a shenzhen work/residence permit. If I want to move to Shanghai for another job, what are the steps I need to follow and what documents are needed? Do I need to undergo all the steps as were required the first time i.e. health Check, Police verification, work permit renwal etc etc? A list of required documents would be great.

    Thanks

    By shenzhenpermit May 19,2012 09:41 PM

31. Hi! I'll be travelling to China for the 1st time in 4 weeks. I am flying to Beijing from Vietnam, staying 4 days then leaving for Mongolia. I will be in Mongolia for 3 weeks, returning to Beijing in order to fly back to Vietnam. I think I read somewhere that you can't get a multi-entry visa if you haven't been to China before (I haven't). Would I have to get 2 sepearte single entry visas?
    Thanks for any advice! I have a UK passport
    Sarah

    By Sarah Parker May 20,2012 12:48 PM

32. Hi Sarah,

    No, I do believe you are mistaken. You should have no problem getting a 30 60 or 90 day multiple entry visa - my first visit to China I received a 60 day multiple entry (I'm American, but UK/US visa stuff is generally the same, just different prices). If, for some reason, you are denied multi-entry, getting only ONE single entry visa should be no problem, as you do not need a visa to transfer flights in China. If you are only flying to Beijing the second time to catch a flight, you can do that without a visa, as you will have a connecting flight out of the country.

    That being said, multiple and single entry visas are the same price, so you might as well try and get a multiple entry visa (being visa-less, legal or not, can be stressful - it requires explanation and documentation of connecting flight and yada yada). If you can't get a multiple entry though, you will still be able to fly to Beijing to catch your connecting flight.

    let us know how it goes.

    By James Weir May 21,2012 11:25 AM

33. Yes, the steps will be the same as they were in Shenzhen, it will just be a matter of getting updated documents to correspond with your new job and employer. Depending on how recently you underwent your health check, you will probably not need to undergo another - when gathering documents from you, your employer will let you know if you will need an updated check. You will have to register with the Shanghai PSB when you arrive, as you were required to in Shenzhen, I imagine.

    From there, it is a matter of getting the proper paperwork (Alien Employment Permit, invitation letter, copy of employer business license; these you will need to get from your employer, as they are the ones that can get the required documents) and filling out the proper paperwork and applying. In order for your employer to get these documents, they will need basic things from you like your passport and CV (sometimes translated into Chinese). Again, the specifics differ from job to job, so make sure you are communicating often with the HR representative at your new company.

    Here is the description of requirements on the Embassy page: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84245.htm

    Good luck and let us know how it goes!

    By James Weir May 21,2012 01:24 PM

34. Hi, I'm Jayjay,i'm french!
    i arrived to beijing 4 month ago with a 2 month tourist Visa, i extended it twice, so 2 X 1 month (=4months),

    seeing that my visa was going to expire i went to hong kong, thinking to do the same ( 2 month tourism visa + 2 X 1 month extension = 4 month)

    But they gave me only 14 days Visa (lol), i've no money, only 1 part time job, and i can not go back to france ...

    do you think that i can, with my 14 days visa, extend it 2 X 1 month again ? (like this i've the time to gather enought money for a student visa)
    But if they give me extension 2 X 14 days???...

    Crazy China, If you have no money they kick you out like animals!^^

    Thanks for help, i'm totally lost :/

    By Jérémie May 22,2012 03:10 AM

35. Hello Jayjay,

    Which visa you can get depends on where you get it. This can vary even between Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai (not to mention between China and France). You can request a longer-term visa, but I suspect you already did (in which case this is probably the best you could do on your own). Getin2China is based in Beijing and can help with visa woes or you could get a work visa through some part and full time jobs.

    I would suggest being careful working on your current visa because there's a crackdown on foreigners working illegally in China (any work not done on a work visa is technically illegal).

    Best of luck,

    Miller

    By Miller Wey May 23,2012 11:06 AM

36. I think in Hong Kong they actually have quite tight restrictions on French passport holders - I have a friend who went there to renew his F visa recently and had to return to Paris to do so. It may also just be part of the wider crackdown on illegal workers as Miller says. Either way, prob good idea to get some professional advice. Good luck.

    By Aimee Groom May 24,2012 10:03 AM

37. I've had to re-plan my trip to China after the rules for Tibet permits changed (5 nationals have to arrive on the same transport now). In the UK we're made to submit our flight and hotel details before being granted a visa. Will I have an issue at airport immigration if I arrive into a different city than the one in the tickets I submitted?

    By Toby UK May 25,2012 03:19 PM

38. Hi Toby,

    No, that should not be a problem. Once you have your visa in hand (which it sounds like you do), you shouldn't have any trouble getting into and around the country. The visa is good anywhere in China (with the obvious exception of closed regions, like Tibet, which require special permits). If you've got a visa, they'll let you in wherever you show up.

    Have a great time in Tibet!

    By James Weir May 25,2012 03:41 PM

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