Job Discussion Forums

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

My passport expires January 2014, but this July 2013 I will be changing schools and provinces.
My new FEC and Residency Permit will be processed this July 2013.
Will renewing my passport after July be a problem, or should I renew my passport before my new FEC and RP ?

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

If you're asking what I think you're asking then Getting a new passport after July isn't a problem. If you get your new residence permit placed in your current passport then get a new passport it just means that whenever you need your passport (like leaving or entering the country) you need to bring both of them with you. When you get your next next residence permit it'll be placed in your new passport and at that point you can retire the old one. I always like to get a new passport as closely as possible to the expiration date of the old one so as to maximize its value to me and if that means getting a residence permit in the old passport then renewing the passport I'll do it (I've done it). Which province you heading to? Some provinces have consulates that are easier to get to or deal with, if you believe reports that some people make about them.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

kungfuman · Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 3:20 am Post subject:

haha Whack A Mao! I get it! I get it!

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

hilena_westb · Joined: 13 Nov 2012 Posts: 130

Passports are required to have 6 months and 3 pages available (more than documented). Besides this, it's better to renew the passport prior to renewing Chinese documents as you will simply have to do them all again as you must have the documents in your new passport. So, just do it after you renew your passport. Keep in mind that you'll have a new passport number, so make sure your employer knows the situation and all applications support the new passport number, otherwise it'll be an issue. Take your old passport along with you when renewing, so the authorities clearly SEE that it was a renewal issue.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

Yeah, I'd get the passport now and save hassles later. I don't think your new school would even try to get a visa/permit for your current passport, unless it's a six month contract, and maybe not even then. If you're American, the process is quite easy and painless. And it takes 10 business days from the consulates here in China. Canada has a couple of hoops (e.g. a witness to your Canadian-ness) to jump through, I think, and I'm not sure of the other countries. While your old (now-current) passport will be canceled upon issuance of the new one, the residence permit is still valid for China's purposes. So yes, you will have to carry two passports until all the new docs and entry stamps are in the new one.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Thanks for all the replies.
For the reasons stated above it does seem best for me to renew it now rather than later.

lemak · Joined: 19 Nov 2011 Posts: 368

They wouldn't extend my wife's Residence Permit as her passport expired before the end date of the permit.

God only knows what policy they'll apply to you.

Good choice to get the passport now.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

Ran into the same situation just yesterday.

They require 6 months validity remaining on your passport, BUT if applying for a one year visa/RP, it will only be valid up until the same date as your passport.

Luckily for me I only lost out on two weeks.

Save yourself the hassle and get a new passport first.

I don't know about other coutries, but those from the UK are required to carry two passports, one with the visa and the new one. Once the visa/passport has expired we are required to cut the corners, identifying the passport as expired.