Job Discussion Forums

Lao_Tsan · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 2

Sorry to add to the plethora of visa questions, but I couldn't find an answer to my rather strange question.

I've been teaching in China for two years now and have collected two tourist visas and two residence permits. I'll be switching to a new school next semester, and I won't be able to get over to the new place in time to switch my residence permit. The school has asked me to get a tourist visa and come back (which they'll reimburse me for).

This won't be too inconvenient for me since I'll be out of China traveling anyway. So here's my concern, will I have any problems getting a third tourist visa and then coming back and switching it over to a residence permit for a third time? I've never heard of this happening, but with the maze of bureaucracy, I wouldn't be too surprised. Does anyone have any experience with this?

jamesmollo · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 276 Location: jilin china

why not get the school to extend it before you go travelling, this is normal practise when changing schools at this time. If this is not possible, you can get as many tourist visas as you like, as far as I know.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Have your current school help you extend your RPF for another month, the cost should be a few hundred RMB. You don't really want to get a tourist visa then have it "converted" into a RPF -- you'd never know if the new school, assuming it is in a different province, will not be able to do it. The safest thing to do is to extend your RPF.

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

There is no reason that the school cannot simply have the PSB renew your permit early. I will be leaving my current university of many years and going to a new school. I will renew my permit and documents 12 weeks before I even begin my new contract ....... which of course allows me to remain in country or travel with the multiple exit/entry of the permit ...... just be sure the PSB will do it .... if you stay in the same province you should not even need a new health certificate ......

Just have someone make the call, I've had no problem with it ...... thus letting me stay or travel

Millerlong · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 147 Location: Shanghai, China

Lao_Tsan · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the help.

My current school won't extend my visa, they seem to pretty much be done with me. The new school is quite a distance, and since they're paying for it either way I think it might be simpler just to get a new visa. I'll ask again though and see what I can get done.