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Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Have rules requiring returning to your home country for visa applications been relaxed?

I currently need to get off an F and onto a Z.

Have long-term (3-6 month) multiple F visas been reinstated? Currently limits are 1 month stay double entry F visas.

UPDATE (from my correspondence with the HK visa office)

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

Write to them and ask, explain where you are and your situation.

I found them to be very cooperative during the Olympic period when I thought I may have to get a Z. Fortunately I was able to transfer my RP to another province.

[email protected]

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

I heard that October 16th was the day when things are supposed to return to normal.

I assume 'back to normal' means 3/6 month f visas will be available form places like forever bright and f to z conversions will be possible (or less tricky) within mainland borders again.

I just read it on a message board somewhere..

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

People started getting Z visas in Hong Kong about three weeks back.

...............................................................................................

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070927045000AAeqm3u

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The PRC.
5th Floor, Lower Block,
26 Harbor Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Tel: 25851657,25851680,25851794.

Z Visa (Work Visa)

Required Documents
1. Your valid and actual passport with blank visa pages and at least 6-month period of validity (counting from the day you submit the application);
2. Fill in the Visa Application Form (Q1), attached with 2-inch passport photo (black & white or colored are all accepted);
3. A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit (original and copy) and a work permit for aliens issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security or foreign expert's license issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, P.R.C.

4. Family members of the laborers who come to China for work should provide the visa notification letters (telegram or fax) issued by Chinese authorities or other documents (like marriage certificate, birth certificate and so on) which can sufficiently prove the relative relationship, but the approved employment document is not required.

Costs:US $100 for American, and $30 for Citizens of other countries.
The regular processing time is 4 working days. For express service, additional fees of $30 for 1 working day processing (applications presented before 11:30 am may be picked up between 2:30 pm-3:00 pm on the same day), or $20 for 2-3 working days processing will be charged.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Oct 17th (16th) was the date the PSB gave me when I wrote about it last month.

We'll see soon what really happens. A lot of schools here that have teachers who are past their 30 day limit

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

fitzgud, thank you. I have sent off an email and will post whatever I get back.

Anda, that information in the link is over a year out-of-date. Do you have confirmation of visas being issued in Hong Kong?

arioch36, thanks for that piece of info.

Unfortunately, China is a country where the idiom "the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" often applies.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Lorean a man posted here on Daves that he had got a Z two or three weeks back and got it through the hotel I posted.

The other link had the following with a telephone number and they would have someone on hand who can speak English and should be able to give current info:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The PRC.
5th Floor, Lower Block,
26 Harbor Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Tel: 25851657,25851680,25851794.

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

Loved this bit:

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

anda

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Thanks everyone for information.

I just called the 'consulate', they said I should call this number tomorrow: 3413 2424. Apparently, today is a holiday.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Just got this in my inbox:

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

Lorean,

If you need to obtain a letter of invitation please ask, beg, and plead that the Z visa is to be issued in HK. This should be clearly stated on the letter. It will go a long way to smoothing the way.

Beware that you may now be more of an expert regarding visa's than the people at your school.

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

There may be a possibility for single-entry F visas