Job Discussion Forums

goldhair · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 23

I was just wondering how longs it takes to get a residence permit. I'm in Xian and its going to be 6 weeks before I get my residence permit and passport back. Is this normal?

johnchina · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 816

Sounds a little long. In Beijing, it takes a fortnight-ish, but there are (as always in China!) provincial variations.

fitzgud · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 148 Location: Henan province

No it is not the norm, when was your passport submitted and more to the point how much time was left on your Z visa for entry? You could even by now be an illegal, presuming that you as so many arrived to start work around the 1st of September. Should you worry? Yes.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

goldhair · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 23

I arrived on a Z visa.

johnchina · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 816

tw is right in saying that you're OK if your application is with the PSB prior to the expiry date of your visa.

fitzgud · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 148 Location: Henan province

Yes, if you are absolutely sure it is in the hands of the PSB, and not in a drawer waiting to see if there are enough students enrolled to warrant keeping you there. Yes, I am forever the sceptic. I tend to take a belt and bracers approach.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

In Henan, clearly stated five business days policy. Now is not a busy time for the PSB. VERY Strange

My second year I was in China, I kept asking when they were going to return my passport. Long story, the school didn't yet have the official right to hire foreigners, the time had expired, but the school didn't want to tell me, and they gave me a fake residence permit.. Caused big problems, not with that school, but with my next school, which was a great school. They had to try to deal with the mess.

Have you filled out the application for the residence permit? Do you know where the PSB is? You have 30 days from entry into the country to get your residence permit, which will be stamped in your passport. The passport has to be in the hands of the PSB before the 30th day. Have they gotten your Foreign Expert Certificate?

As you see from here, no where does it take 3 or 4, much less 6 weeks. You need to take it on yourself to get on your FAO's case

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

It's simple to check.

Ask the FAO to see the receipt. It is a smallish white form that shows receiving payment to process your documents.

It should show 800 RMB for 1 year or 400 for less than one year.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Guys, from my experience in Fujian, Guangdong, and Guanxi, it actually takes only a few moments to get it. Well, unless the employer is inviting the PSB for a dinner where he/she expects to get favors such as the visa. Say, a PSB takes it after a fine dinner and a few cold ones...it might take a few days then Smile

If i were told to wait so long as OP, i'd ask for reasons and then maybe i'd ask to go with my employer to the PSB together. You know that you do not have to give your passport to anyone's hands. It's a property of your government and you have to take a good care of it...just a point of view there