Job Discussion Forums

[Justateacher]

On September 2005 I started working in Guangzhou with a z-visa.
I rented an apartment with a 2-year lease.

My school forgot to register me with the police. I didn't know I was suppose to register.

My Z-Visa expired on July 2006.

I have been on a Business Visa / Tourist Visa / Business Visa since.

I have found another job and will be applying for a Z-Visa again.

I will be leaving in a few days and re-entering on March 1.

What should I do upon my return in March? Register with the lease I have been living on to the police. Get a Hotel?

How much of a fine will there be? Every time I re-enter does the slate wipe clean for registering, so that the "fine-clock starts from fresh?

Whoever has some knowledge on this, please share it with me. I just want to know what I am up against.


Thanks.

[Bayden]

Whoops, wrong thred.

[Steppenwolf]

I am not sure you will have to pay a fine, but next time be a little more straitforward and ask your employer to register you with the P.S.B.
Maybe the lease can be updated or rewritten so that a new starting date appears?

[upchuckles]

I'm in the process of getting my Chinese visa now and was just reading this. I think it is something like 500 rmb per day up to a certain amount.

http://z-visa.com/work/law_exit_entry.htm

This other link may also apply but I dun wanna read through this law crap anymore. http://z-visa.com/work/law_control_entry.htm

[laska]

My experience:
For your new Z visa / residence permit you will need your most recent yellow "Registration form of Temporary Residence." I believe you can get one of these (if you ask for it) whenever you stay in a hotel in China that is legally allowed to have foreigners stay there. For example, youth hostels in Shanghai (~RMB 70/night) will give one to you.

You can also get one by going to the police station, admitting that you forgot to get one last time you came into China, and paying a fine. The fine (in my experience--I've paid it) is maximum RMB 500. However it is negotiable.

[jeffinflorida]

Let me also ask, ok I will be working for a company and they told me to get an F visa. They own the buildings where I will be living and we have only a 3 month contract.

While they are not a school they are allowed to hire foreigners so do I tell them to also register me with the PSB?

Of course i want to avoid any legal issues - especially in Guangdong - so what advice might you have on this issue?

Should I ask for any additional documentation from this company and/or the local government?

[Yu]

I did not register with the police on the third time I moved. Did not know where the station was, decided not to do it.... so then some people found me and kept coming to my house to tell me to register. Eventually my ayi helped me figure out where to go and I did not have all the papers I needed. She brought them back a few months later. No fine. I think the fine is something corrupt ones collect and I did not have to pay anything. I was here for 7 months or so before I registered.

[laska]

My two cents.

Don't know about Guangdong, but at least in Shanghai I don't think they will come looking for you if you don't register.

However, you need the yellow registration form to do things with your visa. I assume you need it when you extend your visa (don't remember, but most likely) and you certainly need it when you change to a residence permit.

All in all, it's probably good to register, but in any case I think your worst case scenario is a RMB 500 fine.

Yu--the fine is on the books, at least here in Shanghai. One time I paid the fine, one time I didn't: It depends... on the police officer's assessment of the situation.

To the original poster: Actually, when your school got a residence permit for you, they had to have a yellow registration form for you, I think. I assume you've left the country and come back in the interum or something? Anyway, it doesn't matter. You can get one yourself if you need it.

[laska]

Sorry, Just a Teacher. When you come back, I would just try going and registering with they police. You will need your landlord's phone number. Don't think you need to show them a lease contract. Doubt anything will come up. But if it does, bargain yourself out of the fine. "I just got back, I'm registering with the police like I should." I think it's no problem.

[laska]

Sorry, Just a Teacher. Didn't read your original message closely enough--was tired.

When you come back, I would just try going and registering with they police. You will need your landlord's phone number. Don't think you need to show them a lease contract. Doubt anything will come up. But if it does, bargain yourself out of the fine. "I just got back, I'm registering with the police like I should." I think it's no problem. Alternatively, a hotel.

[Justateacher]

Thank you all. YOu have put my mind at ease. I will register and try to be as humble as I can and negotiate if I must. 500 RMB is not the end of the world. Again, thank for all that posted.

Justateacer