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Q: How many times is it possible to make a new tourist visa?
- How many times is it possible to go into Hong Kong and back into China with a new tourist visa? (UK National) -
Hi guys, I'm wondering if I was to go into Hong Kong every 60 days to renew (not extend) my tourist visa is it possible or is there a limit and they would suddenly stop giving me after such and such times etc?
Thanks
5 years 43 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
Your visa is not "renewed" by going into HK. Just resets the time limit of your allowed stay in China. You can do this as many times as you want for the duration of your visa as long as you're not caught doing anything illegal.
Your visa is not "renewed" by going into HK. Just resets the time limit of your allowed stay in China. You can do this as many times as you want for the duration of your visa as long as you're not caught doing anything illegal.
You weren't clear about the visa you currently have. Was is issued in HK or the UK? Was it issued in HK and is it good for only 60 days, single entry? Or do you have a multiple-entry visa for a longer duration issued in the UK?
Based on what you did say, if you have a 60-day tourist (L) visa issued in HK, and you need to get another new visa (not a renewal, not extended), you may be allowed to do that in HK only a couple of times. After that, you may be only granted a 15-day visa, or you will have to go back to the UK and apply for a new visa for a longer period. This information is based on the personal experiences of other people.
If you have a long-term, multiple-entry visa, you can make your visa runs to re-set the clock to any place outside Mainland China, including HK. Macau and Taipei are close and cheap, as are other nearby Asian countries. Instead of always going to HK, mix it up a bit to explore other horizons. Multiple stamps in your visa won't hurt you if you complied with the entry-exit and tourist laws in all other ways.
Ryan_JCc:
I have been here for 15 years, working in a university, my contract is over next week and my work visa will run out in August, but yes - someone mentioned about falling in love, lol its true, I have been with my gf now for 4 years and she is finishing her doctors degree in which she will be done by next June. I didn't want to carry on working as I have done for the full 15 years being here, in all that time I have not visited pretty much anywhere so would like to travel for a while instead of going home.
I have found out by going to the UK first and getting a 2-year multi-entry visa is best, so that is what I'm going to do. Thanks :)
icnif77:
You are entitled to 30-days Residence permit extension at the end of Contract. It's purpose is 'getting new employment in China without exit' or 'preparation for China exit'.
Last year, I got only 15-days RP extension for some reason, and before that RP extension grant was always 30-days.
Ryan_JCc:
^Thats why I'm going back to the UK to get a 2-year multi-entry visa which gives me 90days a time and I can in and out every with no problem within them 2 years.
I could be wrong but it sure sounds like you're doing something illegal such as working on a tourist visa. My spidey senses are tingling.
Jean.P:
That could be true . . . or it could be that Ryan fell in love and doesn't want to go home, or that he filled in the vacancy left by Booberry in the Jing party scene and he doesn't want to leave that, or he needs more time to canvas the Burger Kings in Shanghai looking for the love of his life, or . . . .
Ryan_JCc:
haha nzteacher80 you really shouldn't assume mate, as Jean.P said and explained above its merely finishing my 15 years of work here and not wanting to work anymore though travel as I haven't had time to do as I've always worked. Also this would be waiting for my Chinese gf to finish her doctors degree :)
nzteacher80:
My apologies. Most questions posted on here are from non-native/unqualified teachers trying to get someone to validate their excuses for breaking Chinese employment law.
I wish you all the best.
I have been doing that, every 60 days a quick side trip to Hong Kong, Vietnam or Thaikand, since 2009, and no one as ever said anything to me. But I do not "overstay", and follow ALL the rules.
If you get married you could get a "Q" visa. In that case I hope you kept all your historical records of your reationship. I worked in China for 6 years after getting married to a Chinese girl. Then I stopped for a year. I applied for and got a Q2 visa for a 7 year period. Each entry was limited to 180 days. But I went back to work the following year. They cancelled my Q and gave me a Z to get a work visa. A Q would be much cheaper tan a tourist visa in the long run.
