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Q: Returning to Shanghai
I was in Shanghai for about 4 months during summer 2013, I worked teaching English on a tourist visa but before I could get the work Visa I had to return home. I explained the reasons to my employer and we parted on good terms.
I feel that I left China far too soon so I have decided to return for a year or so. I will just be looking for a basic TEFL teaching job again.
However, just before I left I was starting to hear more and more about the tightening of visa rules etc. and so what I'm wondering is - has anything really changed since I was last there?
Will I still be able to go to Shanghai on a tourist visa and receive a work visa while I'm there or is it necessary to organise the work visa before I leave? (this would be a problem as I want to leave within 1-2 weeks)
I've heard conflicting reports so just thought I'd ask here and try and get a clear answer.
10 years 10 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - Shanghai
no matter where you are going to for work in China, do you seriously want to take a chance of getting caught working without the right visa?
if you have an employer already lined up, they should provide you with the correct official documents for the 'Z'.
Apart from anything else, your employer can screw you over big time if they hold out the possibility of a 'Z' while you are working for them.
there should be plenty of jobs being advertised now offering the official documents for a legitimate 'Z'
Maybe I didn't make my question clear enough, sorry. I do intend on getting a Z visa but for convenience sake I want to leave for Shanghai as soon as possible which would mean leaving on the tourist visa. I haven't a job lined up yet but I am confident of getting one when I arrive.
I'm pretty sure someone told me that just before I left they were changing the rules so that if you were on the holiday visa and all ready in China you would need to return home before you could change to the Z?
Is there any truth in this?
ironman510:
Yes you'd need to return home first..50% Chance you get get a Z visa in HK if all the documents are correct. But no other visa's are available in HK now. Don't forget about your FBI check or Security check, you'll need it now. So much for leaving in 2 weeks..
The rule is now supposed to be that you have to go home to apply for the Z-visa but I've also heard that some places with guanxi can arrange for you to go to Hong Kong to get it. Hopefully others on here could confirm or deny that as I can't guarantee it. Have you tried applying for any jobs yet?
ironman510:
I'm in Shenzhen, our school does this, it works in HK 50% of the time.
There is nothing conflicting anymore, we'll clear it up for you as Sorrel did.. Yes laws are stricter and Update: No more Hong Kong visa runs unless youve got a HK ID.
As we said to another guy today: Take the Macau gamble at your own risk..
Was hoping that wasn't the case but thanks for the info.
dimm2hcom:
For your cases if you couldn't get any Z visa before you back. You can try for the tourist visa first. For last month it still got 6 months M or S2 visa available but it got too many false company doing that. Now in mainland you gonna extend only have 3 months maximum.
Simple, you know the law, follow the law and you will have less problems (emphasis on less).
According to the law you can't change your visa status in Mainland China.
But when you get the right papers for ur Z visa you go to HK and get it in 24 hours.
Them come back to SH and apply for ur residence permit.
I ve done this before.
sorrel:
you might have done it before, but now the rules are more strict.
there is no guarantee that the HK 'run' option is still there.
Personally, i would not take the chance as it might prove a waste of time and money, whereas returning home for the correct paper-work will cause fewer problems.
Robk:
Actually....
You are allowed in one specific province to do JUST that... and that province is...
Jiangsu.
According to the law you can't change your visa status in Mainland China.
But when you get the right papers for ur Z visa you go to HK and get it in 24 hours.
Them come back to SH and apply for ur residence permit.
I ve done this before.
