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Posts: 2

Governor

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Q: What kind of visa do I need to do freelance web design for American companies while living in China?

I am an American freelance web designer interested in moving to China. I've been learning Chinese on my own for about 6 years and want the full experience to really sharpen my language skills. I'm open to taking language classes there, if necessary for visa privileges. My client base is American. Because of the nature of my work, location is not a big factor. I plan on continuing to maintain and complete projects for these clients while I'm in China. Therefore, I'd like to know what kind of visa is necessary. Any problems doing what I'm proposing?

9 years 52 weeks ago in  Visa & Legalities - China

 
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Posts: 1439

Shifu

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Freelancing, as in being a professional in something but yet not attached to an institution, does not exist in Chinese mind, therefore barely exists in Chinese regulations.

This is going to be a grey zone. Technically, you need a Z visa in order to be able to work legally. Whether this applies or not to foreign-based freelancing, no one can answer for sure, but don't worry, no one will bother to go and check anyway.

 

You can apply for any type of visa, corresponding to what suits best your situation, keeping in mind you will not be granted any kind of official recognition, and that your activity will not sponsor you a visa or anything else for that matter. Meaning that if you come as a student, you will be able to stay only as long as you remain a student.

Good luck !

jojo5678:

Thanks so much for your quick and detailed reply.

9 years 52 weeks ago
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9 years 52 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2488

Emperor

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I say you dont need a work visa as all of your clients are in the states and there will be no money earned in china and no paper trail.

The easiest is of course a travel visa and you should look into that first. You will get one but the question will be how log they will give you and if you need to leave periodically and the return again. Which can be a pain depending on where you plan to stay.

Next option is a business visa. From my experience you dont need to show any actually business dealings in China and they are easy to get. Some people have the same length troubles but they seem to be targeted at people who have had multiple visas issued. My employers have no issues getting 1 year busines visas again and again.

If all of that is too much or doesnt suit you its on to the student visa where youll need to register within a program which your happy with and its easily extended with no forced exits.

Any visa you choose is fine and perfectly safe. Hope you enjoy your stay.

mike695ca:

I dont think hes even eligible for a work visa as hes self employed and no one would sponser him.

9 years 51 weeks ago
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Robk:

Nope, he isn't. Technically he isn't earning money in China like you said which means technically he wouldn't be working illegally. 

 

Even so, working as a "consultant" which is kind of what a freelancer does... is one of the loophole occupations with a non-residential visa. The government threw it in there when they realized how RETARDED it is to have foreign-Chinese marriages and give them visas that DO NOT allow the foreigners to work in China... idiotic.. and against human rights. 

 

So he can really just get any visa, which should suit him fine since it sounds like he will be a student learning Chinese. 

 

 

9 years 51 weeks ago
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9 years 51 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2531

Emperor

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Hello there, 

 

I am in EXACTLY the same situation as I started off as a freelancer for technology development and design and then later into running a small business. 

 

I live here based on a marriage visa Q1-Q2. You could actually work here on a student visa, tourist visa, business visa (if you can get one) or maybe bribe a local training center or company to loan you out one. 

 

When I tell Chinese what I do, they don't even really comprehend it. It's like beyond their mental capacity to think someone can work for others but being physically located in  China. To be truthful, a lot of foreigners can't even comprehend it. Many people can't understand what they couldn't do themselves so simply think it is impossible. 

 

So honestly, you don't have to tell them anything. If they ask how you earn a living, just say savings. When they ask me, I tell them I work for Apple as a consultant or something. Doesn't even matter. They just want to make sure you aren't teaching English haha. 

 

 

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9 years 51 weeks ago
 
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Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77