Job Discussion Forums

ResiWorld · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 7:09 am Post subject: Clarification - dont be angry

Has anyone, personally, been on a visa run to Hong Kong WITHOUT a release letter or a PSB stamp in the residence permit. If so, when? I have seen conflicting posts on this, Noodle says "no", most others say "yes".

My single entry Z visa has expired, but my residence permit is still valid. I don't want to wast 1000 rmb for a train ride back and forth if nothing good can come of this. Returning to my previous school is not an option, I hope that place ***** in H E double hockey sticks, sans students and teachers of course.

I have had many better experiences since I've left, but the local police are on my case. They say I can stay as a tourist but I cant work. Maybe one of my schools can pull some of that magic guanxi stuff that seems so vogue. If there is no hong kong, or no magic, then I will have to go back home with my tail dusting the streets leading to the Shanghai airport.

Maybe there is a light, I always say "there are no rules in China," now i find there are some, but I'm sure there's a way around them.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

If your residence permit is still valid, you should be fine. You will have to give it up at the exit point and then get a new one once you're back in.

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Call a visa agency.
They should know the details in your case.

I've never had a Z visa myself, always got by on F's, but after 1 year I couldn't extend that any longer and I had to make a visa run. They told me that after 1 year in China everyone had to leave the country officially, so Hongkong was the best option. But dunno if Z's are different this way.

You can find those visa agencies in ad's in the Beijing Today, or magazines like that.

Regards,
Dajiang

journeyeast · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:33 pm Post subject: Residence Permit

The residence permit is essentially now your visa. Carry the green book with you, dont ever let the school claim that they should have it. Especially before you leave the area! You cannot go through customs without it, or a new visa issued by the local PSB in your passport.

Also,. When you leave the country or transfer jobs you will need to give up the residence permit and exchange it for another (If switching jobs) this will also require a leter of release from your present employer saying you completed the contract blaa. blaa.. (BUt this is only if you are switching jobs in China) Just be sure to exit before the epiry date of your Res. Permit and you will be fine..

Keith
www.journeyeast.org
www.CHinaSchoolReview.org

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

I hav never exchanged residence permits....their would be a new notation and stamp indicating a new location...Changchun, Dalian, and Beijing ..all on the same res. book..which now is a sticker in the passport...and I understand from other post on this forem that the release letter is no longer needed...I am just changing work locations now and maybe will have the info from the procedure...at least for Beijing.

journeyeast · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:11 am Post subject:

CJ: you're right. You dont change or turn in the residence book, they issue another stamp and renew the expiry date. My bad.. Regarding the letter of release, they're still enforcing that that in some places in Zhejiang.