Job Discussion Forums

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

Dear Campers,

I entered China on an L visa (60 day) on September 22nd. My visa runs out on November 20th.

This is a Monday. Unfortunately, this is the only day I am going to be able to get to a PSB office as I am fully tied up in the middle of nowhere until then.

My question is, in order to save a trip to Hong Kong and back, am I allowed to submit my passport for extension in Shanghai or Wuhan on the 60th and last day of validity, or would this be considered too late?

Can anyone tell me much about the PSB in Shanghai? Are they fairly mellow about this stuff? How long does the extension take? Is another sixty on the cards or will I have to settle for another 30. Also, is this extension convertible in Shanghai into an F or Z visa?

Thanks Folks.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

You weren't asking the most logical question.

It doesn't matter WHERE you are in order to apply for a visa extension - what does matter is whether you are doing so in a legitimate situation of need.

A visa extension is granted if your alleged purpose of continued stay in China is plausible and you have a legal address; the PSB must be in the picture of your current whereabouts by dint of hotel registration slip or formal application for residency.
I have a hunch that you are freelancing and are not registered with the PSB; I doubt youn can get a visa extension.

And of course you cannot choose to get a work visa or an 'F' visa if you arrived on a tourist visa and have no local sponsor that wants the PSB to grant you a different visa.

You can apply for a visa extension roughly one week before expiry of your visa.

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

I will have a hotel slip, as I will be staying in a hotel in Shanghai and therefore have the legal address you mention.

I have had my Chinese visa extended twice in the past in Leshan, Sichuan and in Guilin, Guangxi province. I also made an inquiry in Guiyang, Guizhou last year and it also seemed to be rather painless. There were no problems scoring an extension. There are plenty of tourists all over China extending their visas. So, I wouldn't worry too much about giving a "legitimate reason".

Some cities in China have a better reputation than others when it comes to getting a visa extension. So, back to my initial question, how is the PSB in Shanghai for visa extensions?

Also, I will have a sponsor in a few weeks. So, back to my initial question, can my extended tourist visa be converted in Shanghai into an F or Z visa?

Is the 60th day of the 60 day visa toolate to apply?

Thanks.

Millerlong · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 147 Location: Shanghai, China

Yes, tourist visa can be converted to an F or Z. I was able to do it in Shanghai with no problem.

WordUp · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 131

Tourist visa cannot be converted into a Z visa in 95% most places in-country.

The Shanghai PSB won't help you much, you would be better served to contact the folks at Emoo.net and use their services. They just increased their visa fees but it is still cheaper than going to HK.

If you use Emoo.net, they can issue you a temp res. pass (so can any hotel in Shanghai) while your visa is processing. Takes 2 to 6 days. They can mail your passport back to you. I've used them several times before.

Millerlong · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 147 Location: Shanghai, China

[quote="WordUp"]Tourist visa cannot be converted into a Z visa in 95% most places in-country.

Perhaps true, but a tourist visa can be changed into an F visa and an F visa can easily be changed into a Z visa. Just get any registered company in China to stamp an invitation letter for an F visa and then change that F visa into a Z visa.