| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
bluetortilla
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:43 am Post subject: Multi-entry Permits |
 |
|
I was just told by the Chinese Consulate here in Japan that first I need to procure my Z visa, next go to China, then WITHIN 30 DAYS apply for a multi-entry permit if I want one. I would imagine I do since I'll be living next door to HK.
Does that sound right? Any snags to watch for? Expensive?
If you don't have a multi I assume you have to get a permit every single time you leave, and if you forget you can lose your visa. That's how it works around here anyway. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
7969
Joined: 26 Mar 2003
Posts: 5782
Location: Coastal Guangdong
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| It's not a matter of if you want one, you will need one as the Z visa is only valid for 30 days after entering China. Your school will take you to the local public security office and apply for the residence permit (multi entry visa) for you. You just need to show up, take a photo and sign some forms. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluetortilla
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 5:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks. The consulate didn't know that! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
big_big_bang_theory_fan
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 105
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
Despite popular belief, you CAN legally be issued a multiple entry Z visa. It's right there on the application and if you can convince the embassy/consulate to do so - they have the right to do so. This would include conditions such as entering China 30 days prior to actually beginning employment and you intend to enter/exit/re-enter China prior to that date - allowing you to obtain your necessary working and living credentials without the garbage of a Z visa and needing to leave the country.
It's done, been done, and can be documented, though unlikely to be done these days. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad-ish
Joined: 21 Oct 2010
Posts: 153
Location: Moving up the food chain!
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| so once i have a residence permit, i have multiple re-entries automatically? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dean_a_jones
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Wuhan, China
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Correct, the RP will allow you to come and go as you please during its validity. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad-ish
Joined: 21 Oct 2010
Posts: 153
Location: Moving up the food chain!
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
great, thanks dean!
i've been planning my vacation for months already  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluetortilla
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| big_big_bang_theory_fan wrote: |
This would include conditions such as entering China 30 days prior to actually beginning employment and you intend to enter/exit/re-enter China prior to that date - allowing you to obtain your necessary working and living credentials without the garbage of a Z visa and needing to leave the country.
|
What's all this then? How much time do teachers normally have to prepare for a semester of college English teaching? It helps a lot to get to know the facilities and people!
Shouldn't that be obvious to immigration? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bluetortilla wrote: |
| big_big_bang_theory_fan wrote: |
This would include conditions such as entering China 30 days prior to actually beginning employment and you intend to enter/exit/re-enter China prior to that date - allowing you to obtain your necessary working and living credentials without the garbage of a Z visa and needing to leave the country.
|
What's all this then? How much time do teachers normally have to prepare for a semester of college English teaching? It helps a lot to get to know the facilities and people!
Shouldn't that be obvious to immigration? |
Just don't leave the mainland, even for Hong Kong, until you have the residency permit in your passport. It won't likely be worth the trouble, even if possible, to get a multi-entry z-visa. Big headache if you leave before you finish the process.
As far as getting to know the school facilities and people, and preparing for the term, that varies by school. Some are more hands on than others. Many have never considered either idea. Hopefully, you'll land in a friendly, organized school that will make you feel confident entering the classroom that first day. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dean_a_jones
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Wuhan, China
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bluetortilla wrote: |
| big_big_bang_theory_fan wrote: |
This would include conditions such as entering China 30 days prior to actually beginning employment and you intend to enter/exit/re-enter China prior to that date - allowing you to obtain your necessary working and living credentials without the garbage of a Z visa and needing to leave the country.
|
What's all this then? |
This is a person who is talking unhelpfully about hypotheticals and technicalities. Most teachers who enter China on a Z visa will do so on a single entry and should not leave again until the paperwork has been processed and they have obtained their RP.
In terms of time, many schools will have you arrive with a weeks notice so you can attend a few meetings, settle in etc. Often they are somewhat flexible on this front, so ask about when classes start and see if you can get yourself in a bit earlier so you have time to get yourself set up, deal with any problems etc. Some schools will give you a plan for your courses and some materials, others will expect you to figure out what you need to do with your time on your own. Often the latter is not possible until you have had the chance to meet and assess the level of the students you are working with. If you can get it early, it is most helpful for sorting out your housing and getting comfortable and settled in the city, get your bearings etc.
The one annoyance is that they may want to wait for all FTs to arrive before they start the whole z visa to RP process so the school can deal with you all at once. In that case, just make sure you don't arrive so early that you are tight on time for this (as stated you have 30 days to make the switch), or that you can go and sort it out on your own if you feel able to do so (things like the medical, visiting PSB etc.). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluetortilla
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Very clear and helpful Dean, thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 10:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dean Jones nailed it. Thanks.
Though the option of a multiple entry visa exists on the application form, the actual options ended around 2004. Travel Document Services (a courier service) told me this when I made my first foray into China in 2004. Nobody has bothered to removed it from the application. The residence permit controls one's entry and exit from China. The Z visa merely allows entry within a 30-day window. (My first Z visa allowed a 90 day window for arrival, but that seems to have changed since then). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
big_big_bang_theory_fan
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 105
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Miles Smiles wrote: |
Dean Jones nailed it. Thanks.
Though the option of a multiple entry visa exists on the application form, the actual options ended around 2004. Travel Document Services (a courier service) told me this when I made my first foray into China in 2004. Nobody has bothered to removed it from the application. The residence permit controls one's entry and exit from China. The Z visa merely allows entry within a 30-day window. (My first Z visa allowed a 90 day window for arrival, but that seems to have changed since then). |
Explain this so-called policy to my wife that came here last year 6 weeks prior to my own arrival with a 3 entry Z visa.
Know reality before "speaking." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kev7161
Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 5880
Location: Suzhou, China
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
Instead of opening a completely new thread, I'll hijack this one ---
Recently I got a new passport. I still have my old passport which was valid through next March. I still have my current Residence Permit affixed in my old passport.
The guy in charge of getting renewed RPs at my school told me that I should bring my new and old passport (with the RP) to him right after the CNY holiday (around mid-February) and he would get a new RP affixed to my new passport. Does this sound legit to anyone in the know? Has anyone had this same situation and is this SOP? I plan on traveling out of the country during the holiday so will this pose any kind of problem when reentering (obviously, I'd bring along both passports)? Any other info I should know about? Thanks for your advice.
PS: I went ahead and got my new passport so far in advance because often the embassy's office hours clash with my working hours, so I got it done when I had free time to do so. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ariadne
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 960
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
I reentered China this term with two passports... the old one with my RP and the new one I got this summer at home. Since then I have had a new RP put in my new passport. So yes, you should be OK, but why the heck go through all that? Tell your FAO you need a new RP in your new passport before you go home for the holidays. Why risk the possible delays due to an agent who doesn't quite 'get it'? Tell your FAO you would be willing to pay the difference if it's a money issue... and it probably is.
Even though I have an RP in my new passport I'll take my old passport when I travel, just in case someone wants to see any entry/exit stamps or the original Z that allowed for the RP.
. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
