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Q: Will switching to a business visa automatically revoke my status as a student?
Hi. I've been in Shanghai on a student visa studying for my master's. The program's three years. I'm about to finish my second year. There are no classes during the last year. I just have to manage to finish my thesis in the middle of all the parties. Nothing else.
So, what I wanna find out is can I get a full time job, sign a contract and all, get the working visa but still be a student at my university? Or will getting the business visa automatically disqualify me from my student program?
I asked a ton of people at my school and they all give me different answers (what a surprise).
Has anyone encountered a similar issue before? Can someone spare some advice?
Thanks
9 years 5 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
I was suspecting (since long time ago), both Scots and Hot are Chinese posters in real.
Finally, I have confirmation, because 'they didn't understand your Q (same as Chinese School's officials)', and (I can see) their written English also sucks
. Here and there!
In China, one visa replaces the other, and your student visa will be replaced with Z. You must exit China to Hong Kong, but most likely to your home country, and apply for Z in Chinese Embassy there.
I suggest, you dial SAFEA (Foreign Expert Bureau) for clear and detailed answer on your Q.
Enter 'SAFEA' in search above for address and contact no. in your Province/city.
Hotwater:
Hahaha, funniest thing you've ever written!
Mine & Scots written English is poor because we are Engineers & write as we speak, not like the real English teachers on here who can write all "la-di-da"! I'm also from the North of England & like the Scottish we don't speak "Queens" English!
Tell you what, if you ever get down to GZ let us know....we'll both be happy to buy your a pint as we go out for a beer together often. 
ScotsAlan:
The question has been edited since I answered, hence my answer appears wrong :O
icnif77:
You wouldn't trust 'written English assessment' to a Non-naive (Fidu) English teacher!?
I'm heading to HK soon. I'll send you PM, as soon as I get tickets to your area.
You can see, how they're bashing my written text here, so sometimes I have 'boomerang' feelings.
@Scots: 'this Board should have automatic sign 'edit-ted' (or 'add-it'
) displayed as soon as post is changed, IM-humble-O.'
icnif77:
Can I come to Guangzhou in T-shirt with A. flag and 'ARGENTINA' in caps written in proper English in front?
Or should I ask straight: 'Are you Celtics of Rangers fan?'
Me being coached on 'UK/Scottish/Irish matters' in US, long time ago.
Hotwater:
Don't listen to anything that you're told in the USA about Scots/Irish/British matters - they know nothing! Similar to most of your posts mate - full of hot air! At least my hot water is useful!
icnif77:
I thought, my Q : 'Celtics or Rangers?' would clear the matter.
I was couched by brothers from Glasgow, living in USA. We also had mutual friend from UK, manager of the bar in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, so 'sloncha' ('slainthe') all the way.
No offence mate, buTT......I'd guess from your reply, you're a Rangers fan.....
ScotsAlan:
Icnif. I bet your a great guy to have a beer with. Next time your in GZ get in touch. You will get a spare room, or a couch...
icnif77:
How did you know, I always need bed after I part-y with Scotts.....the 'Harp'
You can only work on a Z visa (or D visa of course).
You can't work on a business visa. A business visa is for business people making short trips into China. Technically they are working of course, but they are not being paid in China. Their main place of work is in another country.
So, you will be illegal if you are working in China on a business visa, or a student visa, or a tourist visa, an S visa and a Q visa.
You need a Z visa. Lots of info about Z visas here. Just use the search function .
Hotwater:
You can't expect someone studying for a Chinese masters to know how to use a search function!
ScotsAlan:
To use an old cliche..... the higher the qualification is, the lower the common sense (Apologies Dr M..).
But not to worry, the OP will probably graduate and walk into a job being in charge of your pension fund 
.
Thanks for the cunty answer gentlemen. By "business visa" I meant a visa for working. Work=business=job....get it? Pardon me for not being familiar with the full legal terminology.
And still, you wise Sirs did not understand my question, like the countless Chinese "school officials" I've asked this to. I KNOW very well I will need a different visa (type Z to be precise, just here's hoping to avoid more of your asinine comments). My question was if during my last year of studies I get a job and work legally with a Z visa, will I still get to keep my student status? There are no classes as such during the last year of master's here. I'll just be working on a thesis, which I can do from wherever and whenever, as long as it's complete by the end of the year.
yongge:
In other countries you can't hold two visas, once you get a work visa, it replaces other visas. Nothing prevents you from studying on a work visa. The purpose of a work visa is to prevent you from circumventing the system and working on a different visa. I don't see a problem traveling or studying or marrying, or doing whatever on a work (Z) visa.
ScotsAlan:
Yup. If the op gets a Z visa, it would mean he would actually have 2 resident permits. So they would cancel one. I agree its ok to study on a Z visa. The resident permits are the same apart from one word.
dongbeiren:
It is fully legal to study on a work visa so the switch of visa will not automatically cancel your status as a student or anything like that. I know people who have been enrolled in university classes on a work visa. In fact, it makes it easier for the school because it doesn't need to deal with your visa paper work and can still collect your tuition. So I wouldn't worry about it.
I was suspecting (since long time ago), both Scots and Hot are Chinese posters in real.
Finally, I have confirmation, because 'they didn't understand your Q (same as Chinese School's officials)', and (I can see) their written English also sucks. Here and there!
In China, one visa replaces the other, and your student visa will be replaced with Z. You must exit China to Hong Kong, but most likely to your home country, and apply for Z in Chinese Embassy there.
I suggest, you dial SAFEA (Foreign Expert Bureau) for clear and detailed answer on your Q.
Enter 'SAFEA' in search above for address and contact no. in your Province/city.
Hotwater:
Hahaha, funniest thing you've ever written!
Mine & Scots written English is poor because we are Engineers & write as we speak, not like the real English teachers on here who can write all "la-di-da"! I'm also from the North of England & like the Scottish we don't speak "Queens" English!
Tell you what, if you ever get down to GZ let us know....we'll both be happy to buy your a pint as we go out for a beer together often.
ScotsAlan:
The question has been edited since I answered, hence my answer appears wrong :O
icnif77:
You wouldn't trust 'written English assessment' to a Non-naive (Fidu) English teacher!?
I'm heading to HK soon. I'll send you PM, as soon as I get tickets to your area.
You can see, how they're bashing my written text here, so sometimes I have 'boomerang' feelings.
@Scots: 'this Board should have automatic sign 'edit-ted' (or 'add-it') displayed as soon as post is changed, IM-humble-O.'
icnif77:
Can I come to Guangzhou in T-shirt with A. flag and 'ARGENTINA' in caps written in proper English in front?
Or should I ask straight: 'Are you Celtics of Rangers fan?'
Me being coached on 'UK/Scottish/Irish matters' in US, long time ago.
Hotwater:
Don't listen to anything that you're told in the USA about Scots/Irish/British matters - they know nothing! Similar to most of your posts mate - full of hot air! At least my hot water is useful!
icnif77:
I thought, my Q : 'Celtics or Rangers?' would clear the matter.
I was couched by brothers from Glasgow, living in USA. We also had mutual friend from UK, manager of the bar in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, so 'sloncha' ('slainthe') all the way.
No offence mate, buTT......I'd guess from your reply, you're a Rangers fan.....
ScotsAlan:
Icnif. I bet your a great guy to have a beer with. Next time your in GZ get in touch. You will get a spare room, or a couch...
icnif77:
How did you know, I always need bed after I part-y with Scotts.....the 'Harp'
the answer isyes to your question . if you are working you will need a z visa. you are not supposed to be working on a student visa and you cannot have more than one type of visa. you ll need to fly home in order to change it. unless you don't mind working illegally on a student visa. you probably wouldn t get caught but employers could screw you over.
