Job Discussion Forums

[MsHoffman]

Hello,

I'm about to head off to the Chinese consulate to get my tourist visa (legit process for switching to legal work permit in Guangzhou), and I have a wacky question for you all:

I need a round-trip ticket to get a Chinese tourist visa, but when I go to the airport, can I cancel that (a very easy process), and purchase a one-way ticket for the actual trip or will I get in trouble at customs?

That is to say, if I present myself at the airport/customs area with a Chinese Tourist visa and a one-way ticket, will I be denied entry into China?

I ask because I have an aggressive savings plan in place right now that should (with lots of luck), enable me to travel after my contract is complete, so I don't have any current plans to return to the U.S.

Thanks,
MsHoffman

[Tazz]

eeeerrrr.....why don't you just get the legit Z visa to begin with.....? You won't need to buy a return ticket then.

[nomad soul]

[jimpellow]

Where the will be heading now allows the conversion of a tourist visa at the airport as of a few months ago. There have been two threads on this the last few months discussing it.

Obviously, the consulates abroad are not aware of this new procedure.

I would generate a fake exit ticket through a site which offers such, or a service that will buy you a ticket in your name and then cancel for a small fee.

[MsHoffman]

I gather from the above responses that customs will deny me entry into China if I have a one way ticket and a valid Chinese tourist visa. Ugh.

Sigh. Here's hoping I find some good last minute deals.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

If you have a Z visa (which necessitates jumping through hoops, the likes of which you already know if you have followed recent past discussions about degree authentication, and medical checkups), you will not need to present any ticket until you get to the airport, and it you will NOT be required to have a 'round trip ticket.

Any outfit that tells you otherwise is shaky and shady.

DO NOT ENTER CHINA WITH THE INTENT TO WORK BEFORE AND UNLESS YOU SECURE A Z VISA.

If it has been suggested that you do otherwise, RUN!

[jimpellow]

You are getting outdated advice from the regulars on this one.

Although it is true that normally arriving on anything but a z-visa is dangerous and a major red flag, the truth is that there are changes occurring (as always) which make you need to look at the present situation of where you will be applying. Some jurisdictions are bucking the trend of tougher requirements and procedures.

This seems to be your situation.

http://www.jmit.gov.cn/en/ShowNews.aspx?NewsId=2605

Not sure why you are still sold on the round trip ticket. I travel a lot and use the fake exit ticket ruse constantly. You can pm me for a site to get what you need for proof of departure.

If you do some reading, airlines are increasingly becoming real SOBs when it comes to refunding the return portion of a roundtrip ticket.

You might also look at a cheap throwaway ticket to Bangkok or such.

Considering Guangdong is a pilot province for the work visa (with proper paperwork presented) on arrival, the consulates should in theory be waving the exit ticket requirement when the applicant submits proof that the tourist visa will be converted.

Guangdong now also has a free transit visa (G) for 72 hours. You would have to ask your school if you could arrive for this and convert, and hopefully get correct feedback. I haven’t seen anything on converting and the arrival visa, but it would make sense.

This would save you from the expense of a tourist visa altogether. You are not eligible for it with a return ticket however. It must be onwards to a third country.

The downside to a transit visa would be that you would need to leave within 72 hours if there was a problem with converting at the airport.

[7969]

A one way ticket is more likely to be a problem at the airline check-in desk at point of departure than at China customs. No proof of onward travel is a red flag to many airlines who won't issue a boarding pass without it.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

[jimpellow]

Bud,

That really was not the gist of the argument offered by you and others before, was it?

"I don't understand why anyone would consider trying to bypass generally accepted protocol when alternates are dicey"

I actually think the visa on arrival is the accepted protocol now for Guangdong. I agree that I would be hesitant to go this route knowing the potential land mines and the uncanny ability of PRC Chinese to lead one over them.

I would prefer that the OP know the truth so she can make her own informed decision.

[MsHoffman]

This job is with an established public university that has been hiring foreign teachers for over a decade. They are Very wel-versed about the working visa on arrival thing and they've already processed my documents with immigration and my work permit has already been approved.

I asked a lot of questions throughout the process and they were very responsive and helpful.

Anyway, I'll just find the cheapest round trip ticket possible.

Thanks,
MsHoffman

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

[Curtinca]

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

[MsHoffman]

My feeling about all this is that I'm happy to be adaptable. The university lost a teacher last minute, so they're trying to get me there as fast as possible.

They did email me a copy of my work permit that they got from the immigration office. They didn't want me to get the tourist visa until the work permit came through.

So I think if things get a little difficult with immigration, my school will help me, and I think the worst case scenario is I might have to re-enter through Hong Kong, which is no big deal. I doubt very seriously that I would have to be "sent back."

I managed to find some good last-minute deals, so the round trip ticket won't be too much of an expense.

Wish me luck!

--MsHoffman