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Posts: 114

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Q: Student visa finishing soon, how to get tourist visa . . . Please HELP !

I'm asking this question on behalf of my dear friend in Beijing. She's studying and her student visa is due to expire, and so is the visa she needs to stay in China the tourist visa? Also, they will be going to Korea after they get the tourist visa here in China. Will they need a tourist visa renewed whilst in Korea too? Please help !

I've told her to get tourist visa for now, but I'm not sure how many entries are permitted. So it will be likely after she gets her visa in China, she will also need to get one again while in Korea to come back into China?

Hope someone knows what to do ....
Thanks!

11 years 42 weeks ago in  Visa & Legalities - Beijing

 
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Posts: 3025

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The type of visa she will need to stay in China will depend on what she will do while here.  If continue her studies, she will have to renew her student visa.  If she will work, then she will need a work visa, if just stay at home and do nothing but visit places, then a tourist visa wll do, and so forth.

 

If she goes for a tourist visa, on her application she will have to request three different things :

1.-  Validity of the visa : the period of time the visa will be good for.  It can go from 3 months to 2 years, I suggest she asks for one year.

2.- Number of entries:  Since she plans to travel to Korea, she will need at least two entries.  Visas are issued with one, two or multiple entries during their period of validity.  I suggest she asks for multiple entries, and must indicate travel plans abroad to get it.  Otherwise she will get either 1 or 2 entries.

3.- Length of stay : The number of days she can stay legally in China after each entry.  In theory it can go from 30 days to years, in practice is very much limited to 30, 60 or 90 days for new applicants of the "L" visa.  My suggestion will be to ask for 90 days with a good letter of explanation showing reasons to stay that long, and maybe will get it or if not will get 60 days.

 

Whatever she does, SHE MUST LEAVE CHINA BEFORE HER STUDENT VISA EXPIRES< DO NOT LET HER OVERSTAY.  Maybe she should use time left here to go to PSB and see if they will change her visa locally.  If not, either go to KHG or back to her home to get the new visa, or contact a visa agency and pay their fee once you are sure they can get her the visa.

jyao87:

Thanks so much for your help. Really appreciate it !

11 years 42 weeks ago
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11 years 42 weeks ago
 
Posts: 305

Shifu

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happyxpat seems to know his s*** on this know point even adding answer, listen to his advice.

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11 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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2 questions, is she going to stay a student or is she actually working? If she is at school, the visa should not expire until the end of the semester in early July.

If she is going to South Korea, why can't she apply for her tourist visa there?

 

It's not a time to play around with visa issues especially in Beijing.

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11 years 42 weeks ago
 
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I also considered the possibility of her applying for a visa at the Chinese Embassy in South Korea while there, but one thing did worry me.  At least I do know that in Hong Kong you can get "L" visas for one year sometimes, 6 months most of the time, two entries or multiple, and 60 days stay, normally no problem with nationality.  In S. Korea she may face the risk of denial and being told she must apply at her home country.  Then she will be in S Korea without a way to return to China, and forced to go back home for another visa. 

I have heard rumors of Chinese Embassies abroad denying visas to non-natives of that country where they are located.  Do not know how true or false this could be.  But yes, it is another possibility to consider.

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11 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Yeah! Her trip to korea will be a short one. And running around in a foreign place could be difficult.

Problem is, it's school holidays, and because she not studying, her university won't supply her with visa. So I guess best option is getting a tourist visa in Beijing with double entry right? Then she can revert back to her student visa once school commences?

Also, does anyone know where to go in Beijing to get her visa processed?

Thanks Smile

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11 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Be aware of one thing.  In China you can not have two different visas, when the second one is issued, the first one is canceled forever.  If she goes back to study, will have to get a new student visa.

A two entry visa will work, but for the same cost, why not ask for multiple entries ?.

If she is studying now, and classes will be over in about 2 to 3 weeks, and she will continue to study, why not pre-register now so her student visa can be extended another term.  That will be the easier and most logical solutrion.

jyao87:

Yeah a multi entry would be more logical. Her uni is being difficult. They said she's on holidays and not actively have classes, so there for she's not a student so they won't provide her anything! They didnt even provide her with an option ! So the only thing now is to get this tourist visa, and then reapply for student visa when the new semester starts. She doesn't start till mid September. It's quite ridiculous. So best solution would be; transfer to 3 month or 6 month tourist visa with double or multiple entry in China right ? So what's the place called where she should go in Beijing? Thanks so much for your advice!

11 years 42 weeks ago
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11 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Yeah a multi entry would be more logical. Her uni is being difficult. They said she's on holidays and not actively have classes, so there for she's not a student so they won't provide her anything! They didnt even provide her with an option ! So the only thing now is to get this tourist visa, and then reapply for student visa when the new semester starts. She doesn't start till mid September. It's quite ridiculous. So best solution would be; transfer to 3 month or 6 month tourist visa with double or multiple entry in China right ?

So what's the place called where she should go in Beijing?

Thanks so much for your advice!

HappyExPat:

It is called PSB, or Pubic Security Bureau, Entry/Exit Administration. In Beijing, located at : Lama Temple and Guozijian 雍和宫国子监 2 Andingmen Dongdajie (by Xiaojie Qiao), Dongcheng District 东城区东城区安定门东大街2号 Mon-Sat 8.30am-4.30pm. 8402 0101

11 years 42 weeks ago
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11 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Click below for map showing location of PSB in Beijing.

http://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=m@177000000&hl=en&src=api&x=53961&s=&y=248...

jyao87:

Thanks so much you've been a real help.

11 years 41 weeks ago
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11 years 42 weeks ago
 
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You're welcome, Jyao87, that is what we are here for, to help each other.

Do me a favor please, so we know, write and tell us what happen when she visits PSB.

jyao87:

So update on this visa situation. She went to the PSB, and they told her she needs to go hk to get her tourist visa before it expires. And she can't transfer her visa in china. Have you heard of this policy?

11 years 41 weeks ago
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11 years 41 weeks ago
 
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So this mean she must go HK.??

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11 years 41 weeks ago
 
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Yes, I have heard that before.  Some visa agencies claim they can successfully get you a visa without you having to leave China, but I myself am always scare of "fakes", and what may look to you and me as a normal visa, could be a fake one and get me in trouble at the border.  So, a trip to Hong Kong is a safe bet now.

Make sure she will arrive there in the afternoon.  Next morning she can be early at the Chinese Embassy (as they open), present her documents and application, ask for one day service (cost extra), and between 2 and 3 pm she will walk out with her passport and new visa, and can return to Beijing that evening.

 

Remember to tell her to ask for a one year, or minimum 6 months validity, "M" entries (or minimum 2 entries), and 90 days stay (then they will either give 90 or 60 days).  Cost exactly the same.

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11 years 41 weeks ago
 
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Thanks again Happyexpat, your answers have really helped

 

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11 years 41 weeks ago
 
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