Job Discussion Forums

ayahyaha

I have what seems like a simple question that no one here (school, PSB) can answer for me. Sorry to post on a new thread but my time is running out and I'm getting NOWHERE with anyone.

I have a Z visa. It expires January 30. I need to get an L visa to bridge the gap until my next job starts.

My next job is in a different city than I live in now. Can I go to the PSB in the new city and get an L visa, or must it be done in my current city (where I got the Z visa/RP)?

My first thread is here: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=78112&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

I THINK you can get an L visa anywhere they are issued as long as the residency permit on the Z hasn't expired or been cancelled. If you're a US citizen, try contacting the embassy at [email protected]; otherwise, your country's embassy will know.

ayahyaha · Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:55 am Post subject:

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

ayahyaha · Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:15 am Post subject:

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

Don't tell them you are moving to another city, it makes it to easy for them to say no. They just want to make you another persons problem and avoid doing any work themselves.

Tell them you want to travel around China and don't know where you will be and want to get it taken care of now.

ayahyaha · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:47 am Post subject:

According to the nice English-speaking lady in the next town's visa administration (Exit/Entry Bureau) one MUST get their new tourist L visa from the SAME place that the Z visa/RP was issued.

(She also said they can arbitrarily refuse to give me an L visa.)

That is not what the local Exit/Entry said, of course.

Hooray.

Maybe the difference is that I want to do it a week before the RP expires? If I wait until the last day perhaps it won't be a problem in any city? But that is risky.

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

Yes, that sounds bogus. I don't know for sure, but when I first got to China I thought I was going to have to get another L visa when the old one expired and I e-mailed the Chinese Embassy in Beijing and was told in no uncertain terms that I could get it done anywhere visas were issued. This doesn't SPECIFICALLY address your dilemma, but it seems kind of odd that it would be totally different for a Z.

ayahyaha · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:44 am Post subject:

Update: The local Exit/Entry was completely full of it.

After much whingeing and persistence on my part: The head party member for my school called the head party member at Exit/Entry and said it was okay to give me an L visa (although only for two weeks).

Exit/Entry turned around and asked for the following documents:

--my school's official business registration (or something like that)
--another document from the school stating that they would be responsible for my actions etc. for the duration of the tourist visa (!?!)
--my receipt from registering at the police station when I first arrived here

It was more complicated than that, but there's a taste. It took all day (8:30am to 4pm) and several trips back and forth between the PSB and the police station.

Supposedly I pick up the visa tomorrow morning.

Then I cross my fingers that I will be able to extend the L visa without a problem in a different city.