By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Business (F) Visa
Hi all. Even though I have searched the information or read articles online, to be honest, I am still a bit confused about the Chinese business visa, because of seemingly constantly changing policy and procedures. Am I the only one here? Please help me to clarify the following issues.
1. How long can the expat apply for the next business visa? For example, on his Chinese visa, the entry date is before April 1. But in reality, he already returned from his business trip back to his country on March 1. (And assuming his visa has been extended already when he was in China). Can he apply for the new visa right away or has to wait till April 1?
2. The business visa can be one entry valid for 3 months, two entries for 3 months or multi entries for 6 months. And the duration of staying is normally only 30 or 60 days. Does it mean if the expat get a two-entries-valid-for-3-month visa or the multi-entries-valid-for-6-month visa, in each 30 days (most likely get this one) he has to leave mainland China?
3. How many times that the expat's Business visa can be renewed? I am not asking 'technically speaking', but in reality.
4. I heard that expats go to HK to get a new visa or renew the visa. How can it possible? I mean, that HK authority is supposed to handle the applications from the expats who work and live in HK. For those who work, live or stay in mainland China, they should go back to their own country to apply for the new visa. Well, at least this is the official version. I am confused and doubt whether the expats can really get a visa, especially a business visa.
Thank you.
11 years 5 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - Other cities
Hi, here are some answers as I know them. The rules change constantly and can vary depending on your home country.
1) Once you have exit China, (assuming you only have a single entry visa) you can immediately apply for a new visa.
2) I have seen all sorts of combinations on business visas. Typically is a 6 month, multiple entry visa that allows you to stay for up to 60 days at a time.
3) I have known people who have been in China for 10 years continuously on business visas. But as I said before, the rules (and how they are enforced) change constantly and vary depending on your country of origin.
4) Please see my proviso in the answer above. Some countries force you to go back to your home country to get new visas. Some countries can get new visas in HK.
Hope that helps a little.
Living in the UAE I just applied for a multi-entry family visit visa (my wife is Chinese) and I got a F visa.
That F visa is valid for multiple entries for one year, maximum duration 30 days pr. stay.
When I first worked in China I got a F visa from Denmark for 1 year valid for multiple entries, maximum 3 months at a time. That one was changed by my company when I arrived in China to a F visa valid for 6 months, one entry. No max duration except the validity.
Seems like Xpat.John is spot on.
Greatly depends on where you are from. Some people can't even get one, and people from other countries can get one very easily in HK; either 3, 6, or 12 month.
