Job Discussion Forums

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

I was wondering if someone could tell me if it is a problem to enter China with a 30 day tourist Visa and then turn it into a Z- Visa? Will immigration give me a hard time because my return ticket is not for 90 days even though I have only a 30 day tourist visit? If anyone would give me some advice I would appreciate it!!

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

Nobody cared about my return ticket... then again I guess I came in on a Z visa.

Do a little research, this topic has been posted on several times.

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:16 pm Post subject:

Both years I have arrived here with a 30 day Tourist Visa and then the School has arranged the Z Visa for me during the 30 days - there were no problems. I plan to do it again this year.

The only problem I had was at the Brisbane Airport last time. The first year I had a 12 month return ticket, but the second year I bought a one-way ticket and the Airline would not let me board the plane without a ticket out of China (within the 30 days) - so I bought one to Hong Kong to please them.

So, the 30 day Tourist Visa part seems to be no problem - only that SOME Airlines are not happy with the one-way ticket. So, this year I plan to get a 30 day Tourist Visa and a 12 month return ticket as I did the first year.

fat tony · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 86 Location: UK

Which airline wouldn't let you fly without a return ticket?

Does anyone know of airlines that do?

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Ronda Place,
Do you mean that you have a open ended return ticket or a set date to return in 12 months? I will purchase a ticket to leave on May 27 and return on August 20. I am just trying to make sure that this is not going to be a problem. I found a 3 month gig to try and get some experience. I have to return to school in December to finish my MA and then I will be working in Asia for a while.

Guest · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:08 am Post subject:

The Airline was ROYAL BRUNEI - which was the cheapest ticket and best (direct) flight at the time.

Yes, I got an open date ticket (to be used anytime within the 12 months) as the School year is only about 10 months long.

I will do that this time when I go back to Australia for a few weeks at the end of June.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Humm, I still do not know if they will harrass me for having a return ticket that is 90 days from my date of entry!!! Anyone else have any info on this subject!!!

mike w · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:32 am Post subject:

Arriving on an 'L' visa is not a good idea. The new rules now in force in Beijing and Shanghai will not allow an 'L' visa to be converted into a 'Z' visa - unless you get a job with a dubious organisation.
If you intend to work, you should arrive with a 'Z' visa.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Mike,
They do not seem to want me to come on a tourist visa and then turn it into a Z visa after I arrived. I just want to spend the summer in China.

mike w · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:06 am Post subject:

The law in China states that it is illegal to work on an 'L' visa.
Some cities/provinces strictly anforce the law, while others turn a blind eye if it suits them. Such is China.
You pays your money - and you takes your chance.
Personally, I would not come to work in China without a 'Z' visa - in any situation I would at least be working legally.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I don't understand your intentions well enough, but like some others here, I would opine that you ought to get a legal job.

In reply to your queries, here is:
- You won't face any problem from the CHINESE side as you arrive here on a one-way ticket and a 30-day visa. The CHinese don't ask for proof that you have moneyto support you or to flyback. In case you fall on hard times they will likewise pass the buck.

- You can enter mainland China without any hassles from HK, Macau or any international airport inside the mainland, and later get an EXTENSION, normally for one month to 30 months.
This presupposes you are LEGAL, i.e. you STAY AT APPROVED GUESTHOUSES or HOTELS, which report their guests, any guests, to the local police station. The police keep records, and if you request a visa extension it will be granted based on these records.
If you intend getting a job your employer will have to get a visa extension too until all the formalities are done with; count on some 2 weeks for this. However, hardly any employer would hire you right away on a tourist visa; they would want you to teach during a time during which you would be assessed; call it "probation period". This seldom is less than one month! Thus, you will need a visa extension. Whether the employer wields enough clout over the local police station to weedle an extension out of them is dubious but possible.

Don't forget to come with enough cash or, better still: traveller's cheques!
One month thou sayeth? Make that U.S. yoyo 500! Plus some cash for an outbound ticket!

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Roger,

As I previously stated, I was going to purchase a ticket leaving May 27 and returning August 20. Ypu said that you did not understand my situation. I think I explained it clearly.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Maybe I should take the summer camp job. At least the guy is offering me a letter to get an F Visa. While you might not be able to work 12 months with this I think that a summer camp would actually fall under an F-Visa. Here is what it says on the Chinese Embassy's webpage:

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

An F visa is fine and prefectly legal for short term work in China.

As far as the Z visa goes, I will go against the grain and say that it is better not to get it outside of China. Why? because the Z visa will bind you to an employer that you've never met in a city you have not visited and a school that could be in the middle of nowhere.

On top of that, you would need to pay out of pocket for a medical exam that will run over $1000 in the U.S.A.

bradlarsen · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 74

I've always worked in China with a 30 day Visa, which I renew into a 3 month L visa. Reason being, none of the schools ever made the attempt to get me the z visa. The only problem I had was with a private school, who found a teacher who would work for less than me. They sent the local Chief constable, to check my passport, etc. and while I was in the police station, he said I was working illegally, and had to leave. I just happened to be friends with the head magistrate, and a top government official for the city I was in, and got on my cell phone, and had my Chinese friend, explain the situation. The next thing I knew, the policeman came back into the room, with a sheepish look on his face, and said I could go back to the school, and that there was no problem any more.
I'm heading over again, for my 3rd trip, on an L visa, and will check out the schools, and lots of freelance work, when I arrive. I would never comitt myself to a school, before I leave, because you have to be there in person to see what's going on, and you have to tell them what, YOU will work for, not what they want YOU to work for. Getting paid weekly, airfare in advance, 100RMB min. per class teaching, not by the hour, like most schools try to make you teach. If it's a 45 minute class, I get 100RMB minimum.
Just use a little common sense, and don't let them try to walk all over you, and you will have lots of" FACE", while you are in China!