Job Discussion Forums

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Ni hao!

I have a question for the visa experts.

A colleague of mine (my DOS, in fact) has been in China for almost five years - and has recently been told that he will have to leave the country for one month - and then come back - in order to renew his Z visa. No problem with that, as he is/was planning to return to the UK and do a CELTA course during his 'forced' leave of absence.

So far so good.

Here's the question: Does he have to wait for his Z visa to expire in December - before he takes the one month off - or could he take his 'one month off' in June. The CELTA course he's planning to take will be held in June. i.e., if he has to wait until his Z visa expires in December, he'll miss the CELTA course.

I know visa rules have been in a state of flux recently, and it's possible that no one has a definitive answer, but I'd really appreciate any input from people in the know. The teacher in question is concerned because he came to China many years ago when a university degree was not a requirement. Since this is now an issue (and he already has a Z visa) he wants to be sure that he will be able to renew his Z visa, rather than having to start over and apply for a new Z visa from scratch. Without a degree, he fears he may not be elliglible.

I wouldn't normally bother the forum with a visa question, but since this is my DOS, and a good friend, I am hoping someone may have a clue.

Thank you for any help you may be able to offer ... and Happy May Day 快乐国际劳动节！

[thechangling]

As long as the school can get him an official invitation letter, getting issued a new Z visa to enter China should be no problem. Depends on the schools relationship with the PSB in that city and province.
Remember a Z visa is only for admittance into China after which it gets converted into a residence permit (RP) and FEC within about 30 days of entry.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Ni hao thechangling:

I appreciate the quick reply!

Here's the thing: He doesn't want to go through the hoops of applying for a new Z visa. It's too risky without a degree. He wants to renew the Z visa he already has, since, as you know, it's much easier to renew a Z than to apply for a new one, if you follow me.

As simply as I can phrase it, he wants to know if there is a rule about when you have to take that 'one month off'. i.e., does he have to wait until his Z expires (in this case, December) or can he leave the country a couple months before it expires (in this case, June) and still renew the visa he already has ... rather than applying for a new one.

This is so confusing I feel guilty even asking.

[choudoufu]

kent,

his z-visa was cancelled five years ago. it was replaced with a residence
permit, which has been renewed annually.

there are a few provinces that enforce the 5-year suggestion. thing is,
that province will also (maybe) enforce the degree request.....in which case
he may find he's no longer welcome in that particular location.

if the school wants to keep him, they should apply for a new work permit
and visa invitation......well before his rp expires. if the rp dies, he surely
needs a new z-visa.

if heading back to the westernworld to get a new visa before expiration,
he could ask the school to have his rp cancelled. not sure that matters,
tho, i believe the embassy would automatically cancel any active permits
or visas when pasting in a new one.

if they can't get it, he would still have time to find work in a new location
where the suggested policies are not enforced.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Thanks very much for clearing that up! Fyi, it's Hebei Province.

I will pass your comments on to my colleague and let him lose sleep over it.

[golsa]

[SledgeCleaver]

[litterascriptor]