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senor boogie woogie

Hola!

I went with Mrs. Senor (beautiful Chinese woman) to the PSB in another city to renew my visa. Since I am not working officially, I am on a 6 month "L" visa.

As we left the office in the taxi back, I noticed that my visa has zero (0) entries. I heard from Mrs. Senor that they want me to stay in China for one year so I can be elligible for a D visa. Does this make sense to you?

I had my heart on travelling to Vietnam this fall. I have been researching trips inside China, but nothing really turns me on, so to speak. I have been to Yunnan, Hainan, Shanghai and Beijing. I see Chinese everyday, I want to look at something different and see different people.

Back to my "on topic" query, would it be difficult to get an entry from a PSB man and take my trip? I can't even go to Hong Kong for pete's sake!

Senor

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

On Z (and maybe F) visas, the zero (000) entries means how many times can you use that visa to ENTER China in the future.

You got the visa here so you are already in. That's my uneducated guess as to why they stamped it with 000. Can't use it again to come back in. If you have a "double-entry visa", the number would be 001-one more time to go and come (though they don't do these for L visas).

Also beware of the new regulation: if you are a U.S. citizen, whereby U.S. F-visa holders, even holding a 6 month visa, must exit China once a month. Not much problem if you are based in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, or Zhuhai, but a major headache depending upon how far north or west you are.

senor boogie woogie · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 3:28 pm Post subject:

Hola!

I have to leave China once a month? I have never heard of that, was not told that to me by my PSB official. Where did you hear of such a thing?

Senor

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

It's an F-visa thing.

You said you had an L-visa (though how'd you get a 6 month L?).

Google "F visa" and "China" and "Americans" and look for articles since June or July when the rules changed. Also search the Forum here 'cuz I think it was also talked about here. Again, look for more recent info.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I saw once-a-month-leave-the mainland visas long before the current spat between the U.S.A. and China began; in certain consulates they offered 12-motnh tourist or business visas with the rule that you must select a da each month on which you quit the PRof C territory - for Hong Kong or Macau, for instance; next day you could return.
But the visas issued to agents in Hong Kong do not have such stipulations, as far as I know. Those visas are issued by the authorities in Guangdong. I guess, it really depends on where you apply for the visa.

As for the obtention of a 'D' visa - I read you must spend 3 months in mainland CHina every year, to qualify. What you do during the remaining 9 months of the year is, perhaps, up to you - you can spend it in the PR of C too. I don't believe you have to quit the territory, though!

As for having a "zero" entry visa -that's common. When you apply you must specify whether you need a single-entry ("zero" as Senor called it though I believe it should be "1"), or a multiple entry = 'M' plus the CHinese character 'DUO".
He can apply for a re-entry permit at the PSB - they usually process such applications for a small fee. Whether going out to Vietnam discounts his time towards his obention of a 'D' visa I don't know!

cmoseley · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 299 Location: Touring

burnsie · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 489 Location: Beijing

Also curious about your D visa. How do you get a D visa by only being in China for a year? Who told you that you could get a D visa - the school or the PSB?

A D visa is for permanent residence in China and usually given for family members who live here but don't work.