Job Discussion Forums

enigma · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 68

Well, I came to China on my 3-month tourist visa with the school's promise to change it to a work visa upon arrival. Sure enough, yesterday they brought back my passport with visa, as well as FE and Resident's Certificate. I was relieved.
Then I noticed that the visa expires in November! My contract is until June 2004. The school insists that, since the Resident's Cert is good until June, everything is fine. That sounded fishy to me, so I made them call the police department to check - same answer. But what do the local police in podunk China know? I'm pretty sure that I will have to present my visa when I leave the country, and that even if the Resident's cert is ok, i'll be in pretty big trouble if the visa is expired.
Thing is, I don't think the school is trying to lie to me - they have been upfront about everything else so far. I think they don't fully understand the situation, although they claim that it all worked out for someone who had the same issue before. What authority do I need to have them contact to clear this up?

Or am I crazy, and there really is no problem?

JamesD · Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2003 8:29 am Post subject:

This has been addressed a few times in past threads, you'll get a lot of conflicting answers.

I can tell you that my visa expired in 2001 and as long as my certificates are renewed and up-to-date there's no problem. I've been back to the west every year and have had no problem exiting or re-entering the country with my old visa since my resident's permit is recent.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Yes, this seems to be a new trend, and I wonder how one can exit and re-enter China with an expired visa! Do they accept a residence permit as proof that one was staying in China legally? It certainly is not a common practice anywhere in the world... I hope others can shed some light on this. I personally would not buy this from anyone if I had to accept such a visa.
I will begin to believe it when ten different expats corroborate this claim!

Peter · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 161

If you try to exit with an expired visa the fine is 500 RMB a day.
The border police will have a very good time with that money
At any rate, why run the risk?
Move heaven and earth to get to the right date or do a Hong Kong visa run.

Most likely your school admin do not want to admit they do not know and thus loose face.
If you land in the s;h;i;t you are the one that will be paying

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

As i was waiting in line to get my visa in New York City, posted on the walls, mention of the 500 RMB fine you would be subject to (per day) for not having a current visa

Buyer beware

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

china_gurl · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2003 9:35 am Post subject: I haven't had a problem

I know I'm not an authority, but my visa expired in January of 2003, I went to Canada in May of 2003 but had my green book. No one took my green book from me when I left, perhaps because I was leaving on a re-entry visa?

When I came back in August I didn't even get a new visa, I'm here with the green and red books.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

If I infer correctly, one must have one's residence permit when leaving the country for home. I still don't get why they can issue you with a 12 month work visa. I know the visa costs per month, but last time I had a work visa the residence permit expired on the day when my visa expired.
And, why didn't the Immigration take Chinagurl's residence permit away from her?
Since her visa had expired several months earlier they certainly had to check her residence permit.
I am still doubtful, but it seems that the authorities are getting more tolerant... whatever that means.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

During a span of three years, I left the PRC on three occasions and my green book and red FE book were never taken from me, even though I fully expected them to be. Question

The last time I left the PRC was in April of this year. Since then I have stayed in the US and I have my green book and red FE card right here in my house in Ohio. They finally expired in July. Question

A nice little souvenir I guess.

Peter · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 161

It is pure idiocy to expect that visa regulations are done by the book in China.
Local interpretations, the need for some money, corruption, etc, can make you a sitting duck with NO defence.
Give them an inch, they will take a mile......cover your a*s*s; eliminate all possibilities for getting caught