Job Discussion Forums

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

I have recently read from other sources of two z-visa applicants who were turned down for the z-visa as their passports did not have at least five years validity remaining. They were told that this is a new requirement to allow for the possible extension of the resident permit for up to five years.

Not quite sure what to make of this yet, but more potential headaches for the applicant if true.

alonzo9772 · Joined: 23 Sep 2016 Posts: 55

I hope it is not true. It is illogical. For a twelve month contract job, all that is needed is for the passport to be valid for twelve months from the date of the flight. They are assuming that the person is going to stick around there for four years after they are finished working.

Alien abductee · Joined: 08 Jun 2014 Posts: 527 Location: Kuala Lumpur

I have a hard time believing this. Sounds like someone didn't understand what they were told and got the story wrong. Wouldn't be the first time. Post the info you read so we can all see it.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

It is not the most logical thing for them to do, but then again a lot of the changes have not been.

The five year permit is given to certain foreigners who meet certain conditions, some of them seem dependent on factors after they arrive in China. I would think that if this was true, it would be their way to cover themselves so no foreigner was walking around with a long term stamp in an expired passport.

The below is from about 15 days back. There was another on an immigration lawyer blog about a week back. I can't find it now, but will post it if I can pinpoint it or any other examples to see where this is heading.

"So today I went to apply for new Z visa with all the correct paperwork. Everything checked out until the embassy staff looked at my passport expiration and saw that I only 3 years remaining.The staff then told me that there is new policy which states that your passport must have at least 5 years remaining in order to obtain a new Z visa. The staff explained that the old Z visa was 2 years renewable and that with the policy change the new Z visa would be five years renewable. Just to clarify the embassy's website did not state any of this and man I wish I knew about the new policy beforehand. So I hope this info is useful to someone."

Alien abductee · Joined: 08 Jun 2014 Posts: 527 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Does "certain foreigners meeting certain conditions" apply to esl teachers? Every esl teaching contract I've ever seen is one year, two at most. It's highly unlikely anyone on a short term contract is going to qualify for an extension of up to five years to a residence permit. There's too much information missing on this story for people to start getting alarmed.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

AFAIK, the basic requirements for a passport in order to get a resident permit and a job in China is at least one year validity remaining of your passport and six blank pages. (Count on losing the first few pages of your new passport to a Chinese visa, a couple of yellow reminder stickers, and a residence permit).

If the OP is eligible for a five year visa, he'd be well-advised to talk to his local Chinese Consulate, his own consulate/embassy, or to a visa courier service to get the scoop.

The visa courier guys stay on top of visa and passport requirements.