Job Discussion Forums

[jeoconne]

I will be working in China in August but I would like to arrive early to travel around before school begins. I have noticed that a Z-Visa requires me to apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry and that the Z-Visa itself is only good for 30 days. Assuming this information is correct, what options do I have if I want to arrive early (say more than 25 days before school begins) to travel?

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

Come to China on an L visa, then go to Hong Kong to apply for the Z visa when the time to begin work approaches. You'd better make sure your Z visa paperwork indicates you'll be getting the Z visa in Hong Kong.

[jeoconne]

I was told by several people that as an American I cannot get the Z-Visa through HK (in spite of some contradictory information on this site) and so it will have to be done in the USA.

I do not plan on getting an L-Visa, traveling, then going all the way back to the USA to get the Z-Visa as it is way too expensive and time consuming.

If there is no way to get some sort of extension on the Z-Visa then is it possible to get two visas at once in the USA - an L-Visa and a Z-Visa? I could then take them both with me in my passport, use the L-Visa for travel, then re-enter in HK and use the Z-Visa. Somehow I doubt this is possible, but I am not an expert in these things.

And thank you for your reply.

[johntpartee]

Two visas? UNPOSSIBLE! Unless things have changed drastically, you can get your Z visa in Hong Kong. I believe the only way you can do what you wanna do is come here with the L, then go back to HK for the Z.

[LanGuTou]

You cannot, under any circumstances, have two visas at the same time.

Possibly, and it is only possibly, if your new school are accommodating and have people available, you could arrive on the 'z' visa, head straight to the school, go through the formalities of obtaining the RP (five days) then begin your traveling, returning to the school to take up the teaching position later.

You can ask about this and they may refuse but it is worth a try. You then do not have to bother about a visa run to HK.

Some of it depends on the school's relationship with the local PSB and all of it would depend on you arriving here before the FAO's summer break.

[RonHex]

why not travel for 29 or so days before you take ur passport to the psb? (i would suggest you give yourself a few days grace in case your FAO is slow sorting out your res permit)

[Teatime of Soul]

You don't simply take your passport to the PSB.

You first need a medical exam. Wait for results. Days pass. Then apply for FEC. Days pass. Then go to the PSB.

Oh, and remember to register with the local police withing 24 hours of arrival to your city.

Once you sign the contract at your school, the clock starts ticking on your teaching time available. Your school may not be too receptive of you slicing off a chunk of that time at the front end.

As ever, this is China so your mileage may vary.

[Mister Al]

With the registration at the local police office, your medical examination, FEC application and finally the RP application you are talking a minumum of 10 days I should think.
I suggest that when you arrive you try to start the formalities underway as soon as possible and do some travelling around your local area. You can stay in hotels with a photocopy of the relevant passport pages and an official stamped receipt from the PSB indicating that they are in possesion of your passport. Save the long trips for later.

[jeoconne]

Thanks for all of your help, but as I see it the solution depends on whether or not I can get my Z-Visa in HK. I have been told that since I am an American I cannot do this in HK, I must go to the USA. Is there anyone out there who can convince me otherwise? I would very much like to get a definitive answer, one that I can trust because once I head out from the USA with an L-Visa I will expect to be able to get my Z-Visa in HK without having to turn back around. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks again.