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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Does China Electronically Store Entry Exit Records
Hi Guys,
I'm in the process of beginning to apply for a work visa. I have two passports (one is expired). I'm hoping to not include the old passport in my application, as it contains a large number of tourist visas, which I have been told will negatively impact my application. Therefore, I'm wondering whether the person that processes my application would be able to check the dates I entered and exited China through an online database--rather than having access to the stamps in my old passport. I'm American if that matters and my new passport has an active Q2 visa in it.
5 years 49 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
I would say 'yes, cops can retrieve the dates of visa issue/entry&exit'. I also read, they can't because they don't store the data by the passport's name, but only by the number.
I'd say, it's difficult to say for sure how do they store the data and you will know more if your WP application will get denied, but denial reason won't be because of large number of L visas. Chinese cops/Embassy issued all visas, so if there would be problem because of too many, they would deny issue of visa.
You should worry, if you have record of departures in no-more-visa days.
billwilliams22:
Thanks for the response. Can you just clarify your last point about "no-more-visa days"? I'm not fully understanding it.
icnif77:
Late departure or overstay, i.e. exit in days after visa expired already. Chinese cops are anal about 'not respecting of Chinese laws by laowai' ...
billwilliams22:
Oh,ok. That makes sense. I've never overstayed so that would not be an issue. Thank you for the information.
You shouldn't have anything to worry about. That's why they ask you to fill in the last stamped date of entry in the application. They don't have access to your entry and exit records because they don't communicate with the border security.
Case in point, they made me go to the border security office to get the last entry information for them because I was using the e-channel for the past two years and so had no entry stamps to China even though I had plenty of entry stamps to other countries during that time. In other words, they had no way of checking my entry and exit records online in my current passport, never mind my expired passport with a different number.
billwilliams22:
Ok, great. I was thinking that is the case, but wanted to check as I had been told they can't check by the police but that they can by the guy who handled my QI visa. Thank you for the response.
Last time that you entered China, did you re-register? THAT, they can digitally check. If your most recent residence permit is in your old passport, then they will want to see it.
Source: just happened to me.
billwilliams22:
I registered when I moved into my apartment a couple years ago and when I got my new passport/visa in the last six months. The police station in my tier 2 city told me to only register again if I move apartments.
Yes, I'm planning on making a copy of the last visa in my old passport (10 year tourist) and claiming that I lost that passport for the work visa application.
From what the police officers in my wife's family told her they only have a digital record of registrations (as you said). Appreciate the response.