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Q: Are visa rules noticeably tougher than when you first came to China?
It used to be that you could get a 90 day tourist visa with very few questions asked. Simply fill in the papers (even leaving numerous blank spaces) and pay the money, and the visa that you wanted was yours. A few years back, I even met a teacher with a 2 year multiple entry tourist visa that I didn't even know they could issue. Also, many expats have done the Hong Kong visa run, converting a tourist visa to a Z-visa and ultimately a one year residence permit. I'm just interested in people's experiences, especially how strict the rules are now compared to when they first entered China, and especially in regard to the following: The Hong Kong visa run; is it still as viable as before? I've heard that applicants now need to have a good reason to apply in Hong Kong rather than their home country. It appears (is definite in the U.K.) that applicants for a tourist visa now actually need to provide hostel/hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a friend to cover their accommodation for the duration of their stay in China. They also need to show that they have a ticket out of China at the end of their stay. Anyone with any experience of this? Also, where I am, new applicants for Z-visas are now required to have medicals in their our countries or the local authorities will not issue the invitation papers that a candidate will need to apply for the Z-visa in their own country. Any experience of this? I realize that it obviously depends a lot on the province that you're in and that things in Beijing and Shanghai have always been stricter but it definitely feels as if the rules China wide have been tightened or are in the process of being tightened significantly and things are becoming more centralised. What do you think?
11 years 13 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
Yes they are. They want you to include more stuff like an invitation letter now. Things have changed. Would I say it is for the better? I can't say at this moment.
I think they are making it tougher, in response to illegal immigrants working in China, and the practice of employers employing unqualified and unskilled workers illegally, especially in the English teaching field.
China feels that it doesn't need illegal workers any more, and even seems to believe it doesn't need skilled workers. China has the mistaken belief that it is capable of managing completely on it's own, and appears to be discouraging foreign workers from working in China.
It is a good thing to get rid of unskilled labourers posing as skilled experts, but China's so-called domestic experts are far from capable of running any of China's industries on their own. They just do not have the knowledge, experience, skills or creativity to close themselves off from the world again, and expect to be successful.
i 'm not in a position to notice. my school handles that
I was in HK in the end of Sep, 2012, and returned to China with Z. I had to complete Medical exam in HK, per requirement of Chinese Embassy.
4 tier1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin) didn't allow HK visa run since 2010, or even before that.
My current Residence permit is 3 months old, and I got it on HK visa trip.
When Visa rules changed?
I looked on Internet for more info, and there is text from Chinese Embassy in USA with title: 'Employment/Work (Z) Visa' 'updated 19/09/2008'
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84245.htm
In other words, this is more than 50 months old Z Visa 'change'!
My first Visa to China was L. I got it in 2009. I mailed my passport, Embassy application form and Visa fee to Chinese Embassy in London. My passport returned to St. Peter Port in 4 days with 30 days L in it.
As OP says, today's L Visa require more documents than then. I wonder, if it's still possible to get L Visa without visiting Chinese Embassy in London?
Traveler:
Your residency permit must be issued in the city where you live. If you used a HK agent to get one in Shenzhen, then you are illegal.
Why on Earth would you pay triple for a medical certificate in HK, when it is easier and cheaper in your home city? Did your school deliberately cause you additional expense by not telling you about the medical certificate?
It is obvious the link you provided is out of date, so why bother to provide it.
I think the OP is looking for relevant information that would actually be of assistance.
icnif77:
Can you read? Did you eat wrong mushrooms for lunch?
Where in my reply says: 'Shenzhen' or 'agent'?
My quote: 'My current Residence permit is 3 months old, and I got it on HK visa trip.'
My current Residence permit comes out of Z Visa obtained at HK Embassy in the end of Sep., 2012.
I exited China to HK on August 22nd, 2012, because F Visa expired that day. I contacted Company from HK, which sent all necessary documents for Z to my HK address. I thought, I must make Medical exam on my return to China, butt.. I had to have it before Z was issued, so I completed Medical in HK Hospital.
The link I provided is the only existent info on the Internet about Z Visa and all 'changes' you and OP are preaching here. When this Board become 'Let me tell you a story' Board?
Story:
'When uniform Cop is facing can of sardines, and he doesn't have can opener handy, he firmly knocks on the can few times, and yell: 'OPEN, Police!'
Quote from one of your replies:
'When I was a cop, if somebody aimed a gun at me, or a third party, I would be justified in shooting them first.'
Back to your mirror, now!
Traveler:
What does my response about the Senkakus in another post have to do with the confusing information you supply in this post about your illegal status working in China?
What do sardines have to do with anything on any posts?
It would be good if, just once, you could give a clear and accurate reply that was actually relevant to the topic being discussed.
I'll give you a more definitive answer in a couple of weeks, when I do a HK run for a legit Z visa. (I'll try to get 2 invitation letters - one tor the agent, and one direct to the consulate - see if the agent visa run still works!).
But, when I got my L last year (Sept), I had no problems getting a 6 month double entry. I was denied a longer one, because I hadn't left and returned twice in the previous 2 years.. the fact I had a Z visa for 3 years was irrelevant! That was just strange....).
I did provide a hotel booking (from the net), but I cancelled it once I had the visa.
icnif77:
Embassy didn't ask me for anything else beside Co. documents, but Medical exam.
You should do Medical Exam in China (6 M old is good). Chinese Medical is 3 times cheaper than HK (around 1800 Rmb).
Shining_brow:
Did the medical a couple of days ago, paid for by the company :)
It depends of your nationality. For us French, it is impossible to get even a double L visa from Hong Kong. They only issue a single entry 30 days visa...and you can't apply for it with an express procedure: they make you wait 5 working days. How nice!
Some natioinalities can't even apply in Hong Kong anymore (Turkish for exemple).
I arrived in China in 2004, in Beijing as a student ( not a 6 month exchange...I made all my degree here in China). I worked here during 3 years after leaving for a break of few month in 2010. When I came back, My passport was full of student and working visas...the Embassy in Turkey gave me a shitty 30 days visa, while I was planning to travel around to meet my friends From Beijing To Ningbo, Guangzhou...
30 days !! The even ask for 3000 dollars on a bank account now, when you apply for a tourist visa. I returned to France, found a job, came back with a Z visa...following the rules
It is a total non-sense to me. I understand that there is some illegal stuff, but when for those who are doing stuff by the book, it can be pretty annoying to be suspected all the time.
