Job Discussion Forums

[Ralf]

Hi there,

my working visa and residence permission will expire by July 15, but I would like to stay a little bit longer in China and travel around. So I have in mind to apply for a tourist visa and thus have a chance to stay 30 days longer in China. Yesterday, one friend mentioned that I first have to leave China by July 15 and re-enter China thereafter to activate my tourist visa - is that correct? Do I really have to leave and re-enter China? Sounds silly, but as we are in China, I wont be surprised....
Helpful remarks are highly appreciated!

Thanks,

Ralf

[tw]

I tried doing that 2 years ago and was told by my then boss that her connection told her it was not possible. But in reality I think if they have the right connection it can be done and can be done within China.

[tony lee]

Just go to the main office of the PSB and explain what you want to do. Must be done no earlier than one month before the other permits expire (but before they do expire). Need your passport and residence permit and some money (maybe a photo too). They will keep all the stuff and send your passport back by messenger after three or four days. Easy to do and you can do it yourself but you do need an address where they can deliver your passport and get a signature for it so maybe your FAO office is most convenient,

Most FAOs will do it for you

usual period is 30 day tourist visa.

You don't have to leave the country to do it

[Ralf]

OK guys,
I will go tomorrow to the office and start the application. Hope things go well....
Regards,
Ralf

[richie122]

I'm sorry, but what is the PSB office? i've never heard anything of it, but i keep reading about it all over this website. thanks again

[tw]

PSB = Public Security Bureau AKA the police station. These are the folks you meet at immigration when you first arrive in China and when you leave China. They are the ones who issue such documents as the Resident Permit for Foreigners and the work permit for you to get your Z visa in your home country.

[Roger]

I think if the OP applies for his tourist visa post July NOW the PSB men will laugh him out of their office! IT's way too early to apply for a visa extension!

I am not aware of any rule changes, so I would presume that you can still get an ordinary extension to your visa, albeit for tourist purposes, from the PSB where you have been registered.
This presupposes that you are a legal resident. If you do not live in the originally designated place you may have difficulties.
A visa extension should be applied in the week preceding the expiry date of your visa. Perhaps you could present them with a release letter. I am suggesting this because I reckon the PSB must make sure you are not just decamping in order to escape the long arm of the local law.

[tw]

Sigh. Again, Roger, please follow the threads. richie122 is not the OP. He posted a similar question at www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=32077 and is following up with another question here.

[Hainanien]

I've changed from a resident permit to a tourist visa in country twice. Once in Guangxi & once in Hainan.
Both were done the last days of my permit expire date,
both I just walked in & got the 30 day L visa with no hassle.
Both took 3 working days to process.

When I changed to a L visa in Hainan from the res permit that was issued in Guangxi, the first time,
I had to give them a copy of my registration with the local police saying where I was staying.
Guangxi the year before, I didn't have to show where I was living when I changed to an L visa, they may have assumed I was still living at the school.

Be safe & bring the registration papers r approved hotel receipt with you when ya change showing where you're staying.

It may have been the copper at the Haikou PSB or policy, I'm not sure...
When I tried to get an extension or another 30 day L visa they said I can only get one of them & I had to leave country to get a new L visa.
My friend talked them into giving one more extension because I was out of time. They then said I Can't get 3rd in Haikou.

I have a friend from the U.S. fresh off the plane with an L visa & he had No trouble getting 3 extension in the same PSB.

In Guangxi, summer of `04, I got 3 L visas no problem, the first was a change from a res permit.

Provincial differences maybe... or prejudice in the desk guy in Haikou maybe.... the fact I've been in country two years & it was my 12th visa... maybe. TIC!

I'm American.

[Roger]

[tw]