Job Discussion Forums

svrart · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:57 am Post subject: Visa and living location

Hello all,

After the end of my present contract I would like to live in a smaller village. The school wont be able to get me a visa or residence permit. So what are my options? Could I get a business / tourist visa for 6 months to a year? Do I need a residence permit to live in this village? How can this be handled? What other things do I need to think of when doing this?

Thanks much for your input.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You need to get a grip on the fundamental legal differences between China and where you come from!

You are NOT supposed to "live" in a village unless you are a paying guest at some hotel that has to be approved to house foreign nationals.

You can easily obtain a 6-month tourist visa - but you are not allowed to rent premises for living.
That's the spirit of the law, anyway; lots of people breach such legal provisions.

Spiderman Too · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:44 pm Post subject:

Roger's advice contradicts my understanding of the applicable law.

With an 'F' visa or a 'Z' visa (actually I should really call it an F.R.P.) you can rent any premises in any part of China where foreigners are allowed to enter provided that the premises are approved by the PBS for occupation by a foreigner.

One F.T. told me that an apartment he chose was initially rejected by PBS but after the landlord installed a new front door and a security grille on a balcony, the place was subsequently approved.

I do recall one forum poster recently reported that he moved into an apartment that was approved by the PBS only to be subsequently ordered to leave by the P.L.A. because they deemed him to be living too close to an army installation.

Anyway, do a search on these 2 websites:-

http://english.gov.cn/index.htm

http://www.chinatoday.com/

svrart · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject:

Hi Spiderman,

Thanks for the info.

I know roger is wrong, because currently I know many foreign teachers on tourist visas living legally in houses (not hotels).

Also thanks for the links.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Louras · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 288

I don't think the question is whether this is legal or not. It obviously isn't. Doable? Yeah, it's been done thousands of times without repercussions. Go for it!! Roger is just an annoying scottish terrier nipping at your heels cause he's alone w@nking off about this forum.

Spiderman Too · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:29 pm Post subject:

Clarifications:-

I referred to holders of 'F' (business) visas and F.R.P.s only, not holders of 'L' (tourist) visas.

Every foreigner in China must be registered with the local (nearest) PSB. If a foreigner stays at a hotel, then the hotel will do the registration. If you live on campus, the school will register you.

If the foreigner rents premises on his/her own, they must register themselves. A big fine applies if you don't register.

So, you MUST deal with the PSB if you going to arrange your own accommodation, or face a big fine.

When registering with the PSB they may elect to inspect your accommodation. According to the fellow who gave me the information, it's no big deal.