Job Discussion Forums

[JoeKing]

I tagged this question on to another thread, but I kind of need a quick answer so I am asking here too.

There are many threads regarding changing an "F" to a "Z", and whether it can be done or not.

I just want to know about getting the "F" Visa in the first place. Is it really that easy to get?

Yes, I know about the required invitation letter, but are schools one of the institutions that can submit them? The guidelines don't really say that.

And what reason do you give for being in China? It seems like you would have to give more of a reason than a vague "cultural exchange".

I talked to one visa service guy who sounded skeptical as hell about my chances getting one that way, even saying I needed a second letter from this end stating my purpose there.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me -pm me if you prefer.

It would be much appreciated, and next round is on me!

Joe

[johntpartee]

This doesn't answer your questions, so I'm not sure you wanna hear it, but for the life of me I can't understand why anyone would come here without a legal visa. If the school is giving you reasons why they can't get you a Z visa from the outset, don't deal with them.

[beckyshaile]

There must be, literally, thousands of websites that define what China's visa types are.

Fact is, you cannot receive payment for services on an F visa. It is not intended for employment in any way.

[JoeKing]

[sui jin]

If you want to get an F visa in you home country, I am pretty sure it is difficult and needs the proper invitation letter from a registered company in China. If you have friends in business here , maybe they could give you the letter.

You could also try the visa agents in HK (see my reply to your question on another thread).

Could I ask why you particularly want an F visa , rather than an L visa?

I think the 'thousands of websites ' will almost all be out of date , given the new visa policy/regs from July .
Check out a website called 'visa in china' , they are based in Shanghai but offer visa extensions and conversions, and for some you have to go to HK , but they are still (after July) saying they can get you a 12 month multi entry F visa (in HK) for about 700 pounds (!).
This means , I guess , that a 12 month F visa is still possible from HK. But this agent requires you to provide the business invitation letter.

[johntpartee]

[JoeKing]

[JoeKing]

[NoBillyNO]

The following is excerpts of printed and web material that I collected for my own purpose and is not intended as a source hence no link....

[Zhejiang_Man]

I flew into Hong Kong at 8:00 pm on Sunday, August 18.

I went to the office of a Chinese visa agent in Hong Kong at 9:00 am Monday August 19. I filled out a visa application form and gave them a passport-size photo. No other documents needed.

I collected my passport with a 30 day F visa at midday Tuesday, August 20. It cost HKD650.00. Had I chosen the 4 day service, the cost would have been HKD350.00 but the expense of 3 additional nights in Hong Kong far outweighs the extra cost of the express visa service.

On Tuesday afternoon, I caught a train to Lok Ma Chau border crossing at a cost of HKD39.00. One of the many entrances to the train station is next to Mirador Mansion, which is where I stayed. The train journey took 40 minutes and getting through Hong Kong immigration took 5 minutes. It took 10 minutes to walk to the China immigration checkpoint and then 15 minutes to get through China immigration.

I then caught the subway train to Shenzhen airport at a cost of RMB8.00.

There are lots of cheap flights from Shenzhen to almost anywhere in China; check www.http://english.ctrip.com/ and http://www.elong.net/ for details.

I have never heard of an F visa being converted to a Z visa.

Two years ago, my F visa was converted to a Foreigner Residence Permit.

My newly acquired F visa will be converted to a Foreigner Residence Permit.

[sui jin]

I guess from your moniker that you are in Zhejiang , but which city will convert your F visa to a residence permit ? This is unusual these days , I think . I agree, a few years ago , it was probably common.

My Uni in Jiangsu cannot convert my L visa to a resident permit , so that's why I have to go to HK to get the Z visa (which is valid only 30 days and worthless IMO because I am already here in China. It's an expensive and meaningless bureaucratic hoop).

[Bud Powell]

This is what is going on:

One may enter China with an F visa without the hassles involved in obtaining a Z visa (producing evidence of the requisite education comes to mind here). Once in China, some F visa holders seek employment with schools who either get the local authorities to issue a residence permit which will allow the person to live in China and to work as a teacher. If the local PSB won't do it, the prospective FT is sent to HK to secure the necessary documentation. What the school issues the prospective FT in order for him to acquire the teachers' residence permit is unknown to me. I've always entered China to teach on a Z visa.

I know of two people who repeatedly entered China on F visas yet managed to live and teach in China. I'm sure that they were fully qualified per Chinese law. Their 8 1/2" x 5" degrees sure looked like the real thing with the nicely tooled-leather case which we all know is standard issue with every degree earned in the U.S..

I wouldn't take this as gospel evidence that anyone else could do the same thing. I've also known prospective FTs who showed up at the school with an F visa, only to be turned away by the Powers That Be in HK.

Whenever one attempts to circumvent prescribed methods, he runs the risk of failure.

[IvanaShaanxi]