Job Discussion Forums

quanxie · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 91 Location: The Sticks

Has anyone been issued one of the new work visa/residence permits from outside of China? I mean with all of the offical documents in order, and you go to the Chinese consulate office, do they issue the old work visa or the new combination one?

Thanks for your help
Phil

edited to please the fussy.... although "z" really is taken from the z in gōngzu�....

Spiderman Too · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 4:23 am Post subject:

Phil

They are two seperate things.

The 'Z' visa issued overseas has a 30 day time limit.

After arrival in China, and within 30 days, the holder of the 'Z' visa and/or his/her employer should apply for a Foreigner Residence Permit. The FRP used to be a small green booklet.

The new FRP looks like a 'Z' visa, is pasted into your passport and allows multiple exits / re-entries during it's period of validity.

It may be correct to refer to the new one as a "Z" visa but it would be confusing to do so. It is, in effect, simply a new style of Foreigner Residence Permit which can only be issued within China.

quanxie · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 91 Location: The Sticks

Spiderman thank you for your reply...

And it makes sense that a residency permit would only be issued in the country of residence... More specifically, I currently have the old FRP permit and sepaerate "work visa" which will expire on 7-1 and I am being told by my new school it is better to leave for Hongkong and be aply for a new "work visa". I was hoping to hear from someone who has had recent experience with be issued a "work visa" from outside of China... Do you only get a standard a"work visa" and then have to apply for and pay again for another FRP-Visa sticker in your passport?

Thanks
Phil

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Volodiya · Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 7:12 am Post subject:

Spiderman's information looked spot on, to me. Z visa is obtained outside the country, at a consulate or Embassy of China: the FRP stamp is placed in your passport by the local authorities, after you arrive at your post. Both are based on granting you permission to live and work in China. The Z visa grants you permission to enter the country to work, and the FRP grants you permission to remain in the country to work.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

So, Volodiya what I am getting is that FRP replaces the Z visa as we know that Z visas are no longer issued along the FRPs anymore. Please forgive me if I am wrong here.
Cheers and beers