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Posts: 115

Governor

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Q: How do I apply for and get a Family Visit / Resident permit ?

I am currently on a Tourist Visa for one year/multiple entries.

My visa expires in 3 weeks. I am married and living in China with my Chinese wife. I want to stay with her and keep living with her in China. I am 60 years old,retired, and I am an American. My wife has a small business.

 

I would like to get a Family Visit Visa / Resident Permit  - which is good for 2 years stay in China.

 

Can anyone help me with information how to get this visa? thanks.

11 years 15 weeks ago in  Visa & Legalities - Shenyang

 
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Posts: 3025

Emperor

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You must go to the PSB Entry/Exit office at the city where your wife's hukou booklet was issued no less than 5 days prior to visa expiration, with your passport, registration form of address for foreign visitor's form from local police, ID photos, marriage certificate, your wife's ID, fill out application form, etc, and apply for the residence permit and pay fees (almost 1,000 yuan). Also do bring with you copies of all documents, you show original, give them copy.  

Be aware that many PSB only accept applications from Monday thru Thursday, and only open Friday morning to return documents, and it does take 5 days to process.

And in many places, first time applicants get a residence permit for 6 months, but it does not hurt to ask for one at least for a year, and multiple entries. This permit then will take the place of your tourist visa, and work as a visa.

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11 years 15 weeks ago
 
Posts: 205

Governor

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If you were married in America you will likely have to go back to America to get the marriage certificate certified by the Chinese Embassy there unless you have someone back there that can help you do that.  At least that's the way it is in Hangzhou.  Better to ask ASAP. 

 

Also they very rarely give 2 year visas.  I'd expect a 1 year at most. 

HappyExPat:

You can apply for, and should get a two year residence permit for as long as you are married, after having worked your way there with 5 years of being a residence permit holder.

11 years 15 weeks ago
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11 years 15 weeks ago
 
Posts: 115

Governor

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Thanks for the information. We were married in China.

 

Hope I get more input.

 

I plan to go 2 weeks before Visa expires.

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11 years 15 weeks ago
 
Posts: 253

Shifu

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The hardest part is actually done, you were married in China, so already got your little red book.  Happy above gave a good answer!

 

Next step is you need to go to the PSB (Entry-exit bureau is name they use in Guangzhou) where the hukou book resides.  If it is from, say the Guangdong province, you will have to go to the PSB in Guangzhou.  Hopefully the hukou book is from a place nearby.  Then, all you need to do is take a subway or bus to the PSB.  You can Google "city name" public service bureau or entry-exit bureau.

 

Bring everything, and I mean everything.  Wife's hukou, residence ID, marriage book, and copy of the important pages.  For you, 3, 2" photos (any nearby photo studio will know what you need), passport with valid visa, temporary residence permit (pink paper in Guangzhou), marriage book, and copies of each document. If you aren't sure, just make extra copies, and shred the documents later.  The good people at the PSB are happier when you bring too much instead of too little and waste their time.

 

Mine was done in Guangzhou, so your PSB could have different rules.  I received a 1 year, without even asking, and did not require a health certificate or proof of income, even though my wife brought some papers along just in case they asked.  You can ask for 2 years, but they might require more information, since those are reserved for people with work visa's typically.  But, the 1 year doesn't require you to leave every 30,60,90 days, so can't really complain about it.  After they were happy with everything I brought, they sent me upstairs to take my passport, and gave me a bill of 1,000 yuan, to pay at a local bank.

 

I'm getting my new visa and passport returned tomorrow, it went very smoothly and was a 6 day wait to get my passport back.

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11 years 15 weeks ago
 
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