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JamesD · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 6:49 am Post subject: Quick visa outline

Rundown of visa rules FWIW. know a guy who works for the company and they are good at getting info straight. Didn't want to waste space with the whole article so cut a lot, worth checking the home site for updated info.
As in all things China, your results will vary by location/guanxi/local officials' willingness to adhere.

http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2013/07/25/china-releases-final-draft-of-new-visa-and-residence-permit-regulations-for-foreigners.html

..................Changes to Current Visa System The Regulations have increased the number of visa categories from 8 to 12..................
Currently, foreigners with an L visa may come to the country for tourism, family reunions or personal affairs. As this visa category doesn’t precisely correspond to the purpose of these various types of visits, the Regulations have limited the L visa to tourism purposes only
.............Dividing F visa into F visa and M visa. Under the current visa system, the F visa is applicable to foreign citizens who come to China for commercial and non-commercial purposes including business activities, scientific and culture exchanges, short-term study and internships. After the Regulations take effect, the F visa will only be issued to foreign visitors coming to China for non-commercial purposes, such as cultural exchanges and inspections. Meanwhile, a separate M visa will be added and will be issued to foreigners coming for business and trade purposes.

Visa System after September 1, 2013 Based on one’s purpose of entry, the Regulations have provided for the following 12 types of visas:

C Visa - ....NA to most here.....

D Visa - Applicable to foreigners who are to reside permanently in China

F Visa - Applicable to foreigners who come to China for exchanges, visits and inspections

G Visa - Applicable to foreigners who transit through China

J Visa - ....NA to most here.....

L Visa Applicable to overseas tourists (those traveling with tour groups can be issued a group L Visa)

M Visa Applicable to foreigners who come to China for business or commercial activities

R Visa Applicable to senior-level foreign talents and foreign nationals whose special skills are urgently needed in China

S-1....NA to most here.....

X Visa....NA to most here.....

Z Visa Applicable to foreigners who apply to work in China

The Regulations have categorized residence permits into the following five types:
Working residence permits
Study residence permits
Journalist residence permits
Family reunion residence permits
Personal affair residence permits
Processing time of residence permits

See more at: http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2013/07/25/china-releases-final-draft-of-new-visa-and-residence-permit-regulations-for-foreigners.html#sthash.K6COCkYv.dpuf

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

Went today to get my new Visa in Guangzhou (renewal of a contract) and the only thing that was different was the turnaround time. Last year (and every year before) you would get it back in 5 working days. This time they put on the receipt that I could come back and pick it up in one month. ONE MONTH Shocked

Well, my company was actually using an outside agent. They told me if we pay a little extra for EMS delivery, it would be delivered to my work in one week. She went to the counter in the PSB and paid the extra fee. I didn't want to be without my passport for the October holiday and as with many things in China extra Mao speeds things up. I am not sure how much the fee was because they are just going to charge it to my company but this service is apparently available (at least at this location).

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

Just for clarity, Banner41, you were renewing your Residence Permit, correct?

JamesD · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:15 pm Post subject:

muffintop · Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 803

My RP (Qingdao) also changed from a 1 week turnaround to 3 weeks. No additional documentation was required.

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

bobdaun · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 53

Just told today by the FAO at our university that from now on for renewing Residence Permits we have to submit all the paperwork to the PSB at least 1 week before the expiry of the previous permit, and that processing will take 15 working days (i.e. 3 weeks) instead of the previous 5 working days.

A593186 · Joined: 02 Sep 2013 Posts: 98

Maybe someone should have the guts to point out to the them (the PSB) that it is illegal for a government or any authority to keep an American's passport for more than seven (7) calendar days unless it is being held as part of a criminal investigation. This is per visa/passport "treaties" between America and China.

sui jin · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 184 Location: near the yangtze

M it is illegal for a government or any authority to keep an American's passport for more than seven (7) calendar days unless it is being held as part of a criminal investigation. This is per visa/passport "treaties" between America and China.

If this is true , it addresses the problem of governments holding passports as 'hostage' for no good reason, and surely is irrelevant when you have given your passport to an authority for visa processing.

dakelei · Joined: 17 May 2009 Posts: 351 Location: USA

Why do they even need to hold the passport the entire time? This makes no sense to me. Why can't they do all the processing crap and then, when they're ready to do so, call you and have you bring your passport into which they will then place the new sticker?

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

Bump!