Job Discussion Forums

aotearoa · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 10

I've applied at the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angles, California for a Business "F" visa instead of a working "Z" visa or a tourist "L" visa. I did this for two main reasons: One, I'm leaving for China this June 20 2003 and my employers in China tell me that there is not enough time for me to get the "Z" visa. Two, if I got the "L" visa I would have to have it for the whole time I would be in China (for just over 6 months). So on the advice of my Chinese employer I applied for the business "F" visa; my employer gave me a letter of invitation to send to the consulate in Los Angeles with my application, US$35.00 payment, passport, photos, and other documents. Do you think I will be able to get the "F" visa? If I don't get the "F" visa what do you think are the chances of me immeditaley trying to get an "L" visa if I am rejected for the "F" visa? Thanks a lot everyone for your help and take care now:-)

MrBackpack · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 14

noyb · Joined: 22 Feb 2003 Posts: 93

What's the practical difference between the tourist visa and the business visa? I mean, no matter which of the two you carry, you are not legally allowed to earn money in China.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

If your school officially INVITES you, then either the consulate can give you a work visa against a medical examination report that states that you are HIV-free.
If your school says you need to apply for a tourist visa or a business visa, then do it, but ask them to state that they are going to take care of your work visa in the country, which would involve a medical examination there. This is more common than obtaining a work visa from overseas, if only because of the hopeless disorganisation of China and its consulates abroad.
However, your school must have two permits - one from an education bureau, the other from the local police, to hire expats!

I have never heard of difficulties for people with a tourist visa. Their validity ranges from one month to 12 months (I have seen such a visa in a European country). What they offer you depends on them.
If they want you to obtain a business visa, I don't know whether you can get this legally; in some jurisdictions the CHinese consulates require proof of you owning a business, or being sent to China as a major representative of a business. Often a name card is enough.

If you can't get your business visa, fly to Hong Kong and apply for a tourist visa or a business visa there. Many travel agents can submit your application to thed visa-issueing office in Shenzhen (across the border!), and most don't care whether you are a bona fide businessman.
You can buy a one-month, two-month or 6-month visa. I recommend PHOENIX TRAVEL AGENCY in Hong Kong, which will safely obtain your and your fiancee's 6-month, multiple-entry visas for around 700 HK $ (one US dollar is 7.8 HK dollars).
The issuance takes half a day - you must hand in your passport by 11 a.m., they return it to you by 6 p.m. the same day!