Job Discussion Forums

baltomatt · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 20 Location: Xi'an, China

I know I will be converting the 3-month single entry z-visa to a year residency permit when I arrive in China, but on the application for the Z visa, after I check "Single entry valid for 3 months", I am asked what my longest intended stay in China will be. Do I say 90 days (since my application is for a 3-month visa), or do I say 300 days (the length of my contract). I am probably overthinking this, but I need to get the visa less than a week before my flight, so I don't want to mess this up and have to drive back down to DC and spend another $170.

Thanks in advance.

Miasaurus · Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 24

LOL... it is so funny that you ask this, because I was unsure of the very same thing. I decided to leave it blank until I found out, which never happened, and I realized the day after I dropped off my application that it was still blank.

I picked up my Z visa on Monday, no problems at all. I guess they don't care? Ha. Sorry I can't help more.

My visa says 000 days.

Yes, Ma'am · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:48 am Post subject:

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

Yes, just leave it blank. The clerks will understand, or direct you to fill it in.

By the way that 000 days really means 30 days from date of entry or until the granting of a Residence Permit, whichever comes first. Keep on your school to make sure they don't put off securing your Residence Permit very long. You should be taken to get a physical early on as well as a trip to the local police to register where you are living. Just make sure that the PSB (public Security Bureau, or Gong An in Chinese) has your residence permit application and passport on or before the 30th day.