Job Discussion Forums

sandstorm_ · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1

Hi!

I've been trying to find some information about the duration of stay for my F visa but I can't find anything.

I got it in HK though a travel agency (Japan Travel Agency), it�s a F visa valid for one year with multiple entries. The thing is that on my old L visa (issued back home in Sweden) it says �Duration of each stay 30 days� but my new one doesn�t mention it. How do I know what the duration of each stay is? I�ve contacted the travel agency and they tell me that I can stay in China for 1 year, also I asked my gf school (she will teach here and I will be taking distance courses from Sweden) and they say the same thing but I think it sounds strange. Isn�t it 30/60/90 days on a F-visa?

Hope you guys can answer my question or redirect me to a post with the answer.

cujobytes · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:38 am Post subject:

I suppose if it says ON THE VISA that it's a ONE YEAR VISA then it's good for ONE YEAR. Geeeez.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You need not worry, old sport!

The old tourist visa forced you to exit mainland China every 30 days, right?

The new business visa is valid for one year and is a multiple-entry one, leaving it up to you to cross the border when and how many times you choose to do so.

I have seen one-year tourist visas on offer from Chiense consulates in other parts of the world; they usually had this 30-day rule. Breaking it could mean a fine for you -500 yuan per day of arriving late at the border... No more so in your case, I assure you.

johninchina · Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 15

Usually the 1st visa you get will be for 30 days. You can go to any public security bureau to renew it. Not sure how long for each renewal. US citizens can stay in China for 1 year. But, the 1st visa is 30 days then you have to go renew it. Like in Mexico, you can stay for a long long time. But the 1st visa is 30 days, the 2nd is 60 days, so on on. I'm sure China is the same way. They want your money just like any other country. If you get caught in the country after your visa expires, you will have to pay a fee, a large one I'm sure. It was 500 yuan per day. Not sure if it has changed or not. Just because the travel place said you are good for a year, look at the expiration date on the visa.