Job Discussion Forums

beautification · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

I have a gut feeling I'm about to get screwed....

My work visa expires on the 20th, but should have expired on the 31st as for my contract. I have a plane ticket already bought for the 31st (I know stupid on my part), but is it relatively easy to get my work visa switched to tourist visa in order to stay in the country until the 31st? A Hong Kong visa run is somewhat of an option if needed, but not desired.

My boss says we are going into to get it extended but I don't know if I trust him.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

A tourist visa usually valid for 30 days from the day of entry, and it might be extended through applications to the local public security bureau.
........................................................

Visa Extensions are dealt with by the local Public Security Bureau (Gong'anju). The period of extension varies, but if travellers hold a 30-day visa, they can expect to obtain an extension of 15 days to one month. Second extensions are rarely granted. The penalty of overstaying your visa in China is at least RMB300 per day.

...........................................................................................

http://www.welcome2cn.com/visa/index.html
Extension of Visa

Foreigners who want to stay in China beyond what their current visa allow need to apply for an extension to their visa with appropriate reasons.

The extension application should be made at the municipal public security bureau 7 days before the visa expires. Multiple visas cannot be extended.

Foreigners who wish to apply for extension or alteration of visas or certificates need to provided the relevant documents:

1) A valid passport and visa as well as the documents regarding accommodation registration
2) An fully completed application form for extension or alternation
3) Documents and papers supporting reasons for extension or alternation

The duration of visa extension:

1) F Visa: the total extensions add up to no more than 1 year and each extension should be less than 3 months
2) L Visa: The L visa held by visitors could be extended once with the duration no more than 1 month; L visa held by family visitors could be extended three times with each duration under 3 months
3) C Visa: C visa only could be extended once with the total duration less than 7 days

Foreigners who are disallowed to extend:
1) Foreigners whose duration of stay is shortened and those whose residence right are deprived
2) Individual travelers who have no sufficient traveling expenses
3) Family visitors who has no special reason for extension when their visa expires

beautification · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

Sorry ... but you didn't know this was happening for quite some time now? You haven't had your visa for nearly a year and knew from day-1 that the dates were of issue? Urgency is self-inflicted.

Extend your visa ... and learn from your own mistakes.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

I would be down to your local main police station with a translator with either your passport or a copy of it and state that you need an extension. They will have you on file. Don't leave it up to your boss. The police will blame you if your application is late in. 300 RMB a day fine and you are finishing, guess who will get stuck with paying it?

beautification · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

Orrin · Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 206 Location: Zhuhai, China

I am in a similar situation, and I�m not sure exactly what the next step should be. I recently completed my contract with my school a couple of weeks ago. My wife (who is Thai) and I both had resident permits which expired on the 10th of December. That day we went to Macau to convert to tourist visas, hopefully 90 day visas. Unfortunately, for a price for a total of HK$1250, we were given only 30-day visas.

I have been talking to, and have interviewed with two schools, one here in Zhuhai, and another in Guangzhou. The GZ job looks good, and should begin soon, but the ZH job doesn�t start until Feb. I would prefer the GZ job, but they are dragging their feet in continuing the process. All the while, I am holding off making a commitment to the ZH school until I hear something definite from GZ.

I am running out of time!! Does anyone have any advice?

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Go to these sites and have a read

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&q=China+mainland+visa+z+Hong+Kong&btnG=Search

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=China+mainland+visa+Hong+Kong&btnG=Google+Search

.........................................

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

getting a tourist visa should not be a big deal. For your peace of mind, have someone from the school go with you to the PSB, check to see if there is any problem changing over to a tourist visa when your z-visa expires, and then you can have peace of mind

However bear in mind that time will still be limited because by the time you get your tourist visa, several days would have expired

TO ANYONE OUT THERE>>>PLEASE MAKE A STICKY>>>ALWAY MAKE SURE YOUR CONTRACT GIVES YOU AN EXTRA MONTH AFTER YOUR LAST PAY DATE!!!
IF YOU ARE PAID UNTIL THE END OF JUNE< HAVE THE SCHOOL ADD THE MONTH OF JULY AS AN UNPAID MONTH

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

Schools pay half price for a Z Visa that is 11 mo. versus 12 mo., (440 vs. 880RMB).

So, they are not particularly inclined to grant the extra time unless asked to.

Usually, they will take the FT and docs to PSB a few days before expiration (must be done within 7 day window prior to expiration) and get a 30 day tourist visa so the FT can finish contract and maybe have a little time before expiration.

It's a fairly common thing.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

It used to be very common in South Korea when I worked there, but I never knew a reason for it, but that makes sense.

beautification · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

Please let us know how it all worked out.

beautification · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

just another laowai · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 373 Location: Beijing

I was in a similar sticky situation a few days ago myself.
Quit a job under some... well... interesting circumstances. New job waiting for me back in the US with real pay and an *beep* boss who expected the world out of me while micromanaging 18 employees. Him bitching and screaming caused me to draw a line and stand it. Needless to say, I was not at work the next day (technically the same day... hooray for 18 hour work days). With me having a limited time left on the visa, him knowing it, and him refusing to grant a termination letter... I turned to a decent service here in Beijing that got me over to a 30-day tourist on rush (2 day service) for about 2000RMB. That's full service complete with termination letter and shipping it elsewhere in the country to an office that quite frankly doesn't give a damn.

They could have actually extended the Z for me if I wanted to, but, I didn't want that really, just an extra 15 or so days to finish up my packing, arranging relocation, finish up a few things I need to take care of and get out... sure as hell beats an overstay (again)