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weshh1
Joined: 20 Oct 2013
Posts: 87
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 Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:57 pm Post subject: Summer program visa question (need advice) |
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Hi everyone,
I am accompanying my family on a trip to china this summer for a conference and I have found a teaching position at a English summer program 10 days after the family trip ends. The camp position is 30 days, so my total time in china would be roughly 45 days.
The university summer program has informed me they can only issue a visa invitation for 33 days starting right before the program. They have also informed me that I cannot work at the summer program using a 60 day tourist visa.
I have received my visa invitation from the program and am unsure how to make this work with my family trip. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated here.
Am I able to receive two visas (one for my family trip starting June 12th and one for the teaching position)? Could I leave the country after the family trip and use the second visa to re-enter China from a neighboring country?
Thank you very much!
Last edited by weshh1 on Mon Apr 11, 2016 5:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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7969
Joined: 26 Mar 2003
Posts: 5782
Location: Coastal Guangdong
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: Summer program visa question (need advice) |
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| weshh1 wrote: |
Hi everyone, I am accompanying my family on a trip to china this summer for a conference and I have found a teaching position at a English summer program (XJTU) 10 days after the family trip ends. The camp position is 30 days, so my total time in china would be roughly 45 days.
The university summer program has informed me they can only issue a visa invitation for 33 days starting right before the program. They have also informed me that I cannot work at the summer program using a 60 day tourist visa.
I have received my visa invitation from the program and am unsure how to make this work with my family trip. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated here.
Am I able to receive two visas (one for my family trip starting June 12th and one for the teaching position)? Could I leave the country after the family trip and use the second visa to re-enter China from a neighboring country? |
It sounds as if you want to apply for and receive two different visas before you enter China. You can't do that because you can only hold one visa at a time in your passport. You can leave the country after one visa expires, apply for another one and then return. Hong Kong is your best option for that, and a company I can recommend is Forever Bright in Kowloon (they've got a website you can check out for visa info). |
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weshh1
Joined: 20 Oct 2013
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you very much. I was wondering if I could hold 2 visas at the same time (I suspected I couldn't). Thank you for confirming this.
I already have the visa invitation for the program. I think I would have to apply for this visa ahead of time (before I leave the US).
I really don't see how this could work. |
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wangdaning
Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 3154
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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| You do have 30 days to convert the work visa to a residence permit. |
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7969
Joined: 26 Mar 2003
Posts: 5782
Location: Coastal Guangdong
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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| weshh1 wrote: |
| Thank you very much. I was wondering if I could hold 2 visas at the same time (I suspected I couldn't). Thank you for confirming this. I already have the visa invitation for the program and it would be the second visa I would need. I think I would have to apply for this visa ahead of time. I really don't see how this could work. |
Get an L (tourist visa) for the first part of your trip, then before your program begins leave for Hong Kong, apply for and obtain the second visa.* Then return to China. The visa agent I linked to above can get most visas either the same day, or within 48 hours. Contact them and ask.
* You never mentioned what type of visa this is (sounds like a business visa?), or what your invitation letter says. If it doesn't specify which city you must apply for the visa then you can apply anywhere (incl Hong Kong). If it says you need to apply at some consulate in the US then I guess you need to make other plans. |
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weshh1
Joined: 20 Oct 2013
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 12:13 am Post subject: |
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I think it is called an invitation visa. I asked them and that is what they told me.
At the top it says invitation letter of duly authorized unit.
This is what it says about where to apply for the visa. Sounds like I have to apply to the Chinese Embassy in the US.
"Please apply forthwith for visa at the Embassy (Consu late General /Consulate/Office) of the P. R. China
In -- USA-- or the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry of the P. R. China
in --------- SAR with this letter."
The ------- part is crossed out on my invitation. The --USA-- part is USA typed into a blank. Maybe they could issue me one with Hong Kong typed in the blank? |
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JamesD
Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Posts: 934
Location: "As far as I'm concerned bacon comes from a magical happy place."
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| Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:55 am Post subject: |
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| weshh1 wrote: |
I think it is called an invitation visa.......
The ------- part is crossed out on my invitation. The --USA-- part is USA typed into a blank. Maybe they could issue me one with Hong Kong typed in the blank? |
You have an invitation letter which should note the type of visa; L, F, X, Z, D,......
You could ask them for a new letter which specifies HK or a neighboring country but bear in mind that the invitation letters come at a cost so it is not a free and simple process for them to change this. Also, with the fluid application of rules, getting a visa from a neighboring country is not guaranteed. HK is the best bet. |
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wangdaning
Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 3154
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| Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:10 am Post subject: |
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| Thing is you could enter if it is a work visa and then have a month to process it in China. You come in for your vacation, then after that they process it. That is if they are getting you a work (Z) visa. |
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weshh1
Joined: 20 Oct 2013
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 5:38 am Post subject: |
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I really cant see anywhere on the visa invitation where it says what type of visa it is for. Seems like getting HK added is my best bet if they cannot modify the date.
Pretty sure it's not a work (z) visa, the duration of stay filled in on the invitation is only 33 days. |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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| weshh1 wrote: |
I really cant see anywhere on the visa invitation where it says what type of visa it is for. Seems like getting HK added is my best bet if they cannot modify the date.
Pretty sure it's not a work (z) visa, the duration of stay filled in on the invitation is only 33 days. |
I believe that you really should get a consultation with a lawyer in China about it. Someone with lawandborder.com or chinalawblog.com for example.
I really don't think anybody here is qualified to tell you what you need, nor in all likelihood is the school. I have my doubts that the school is even attempting to do this legitimately.
I bet they are looking to issue you an F visa, which technically is not proper. But there is a good chance the local officials will look the other way, and a slimmer chance you may get expelled.
I should also note that HK will no longer always issue a work category visa after an applicant has initially come to China on a tourist visa. This seems to depend on which jurisdiction you will be located in for the non-tourist. This is to prevent people from coming to China before they have the proper visa.
At the least, a good visa agency as suggested above would be smart to use before you decide on your own.
Good luck! |
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weshh1
Joined: 20 Oct 2013
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you very much for the help.
The secretary of foreign affairs has informed me that she has requested a new visa invitation that includes Hong Kong on it.
I just sent an email asking what is the exact name of the visa I will be applying for. I will contact a visa agency once I receive this information.
I will also check out the two sites you posted jimpellow.
I definitely want to be as sure as possible that I can make this all work before I book arrangements.
I just realized this will probably make the flights a bit more expensive and this has raised a lot more questions.
Can I get into China on a tourist visa (June 12th) with a one-way ticket? |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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| weshh1 wrote: |
Thank you very much for the help.
Can I get into China on a tourist visa (June 12th) with a one-way ticket? |
You should be able to show an exit ticket. Since you are so good at sleuthing, you can find "secret" sites that can generate a great looking fake ticket free of charge. There are also a couple that will buy the ticket in your name, and then cancel it for a small fee of around 10 dollars. |
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weshh1
Joined: 20 Oct 2013
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting..... thank you Jimpellow.
If I get a 60 day tourist visa, I could legitimately book a round trip ticket (with return flight after the summer program ends). This would be ideal for my situation.
With a 60 day tourist visa could I still just go to Hong Kong and get a different visa for the summer program? Would that cancel my previous tourist visa and my return flight still be valid?
And finally,
Any advice on cheapest way to get to Hong Kong from mainland China?
I really appreciate all the help in this thread. It has been very helpful in making this a feasible opportunity. |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 12:24 am Post subject: |
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I'm getting a headache from all this. Haha
What I would do, if you feel the round trip would be best, is book the round trip ticket. Then I would generate fake tickets as needed to fulfill any visa/entry requirements. Show what you need to, to whom you need to, and when you need to and minimize costs.
You can pm for a site suggestion. |
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