Job Discussion Forums

[LarssonCrew]

So, here's the deal.

I'm entirely baffled about the Z visa process.

Here's the deal:

I work[ed] at a university last year into this year. Unfortunately due to the Residence Permit finishing too early, when I went back home my residence permit expired before the end of term [stupid university].

Anyways, the residence permit finished half way through June, and then I went to the PSB.

I was expecting to just be given an L visa, but, here's the part which annoys me, they made me jump through about 6 hoops to get the extension until I left. I needed stamps, letters, forms, everything. I went to the police station for the blue residence information permit, and they refused to give it to me, stating I was getting it only two days before my visa expired.

So I called my friend and he pleaded and begged[maybe gave some cigarettes] but it got done.

Now here's another thing, when I moved houses I lost my FEC, yes I know it's stupid.

I assumed it was merely like a passport, submit money and documents and get a new one.

Well, they told me two weeks after it was lost that I needed to submit an article in the newspaper stating it was lost. How confusing, paid for an entire weeks advertising [200 a day, 1400 in total] for a tiny square stating I'd lost it. They finally gave it to me after a month.

In the meantime I went to Hong Kong to reactivate my visa whilst I waited for my university to get all the things together for my FEC and invitation letter.

Anyways here's the thing, today I went in there[the PSB] thinking I'd get ANOTHER extension on my L visa whilst I waited for an invitation letter.

For once, the woman at the desk[who knows me and my friend by now] smiled and was very friendly and happy[unusual!]

She saw my FEC and said I could apply directly for my residence permit. However, I was entirely baffled. I have heard that you cannot go from an L straight to a Residence permit, so why was this allowed?

I assumed I'd have to collect my things, go to HK, change to Z visa, come back, change to Residence permit, however the local PSB with my FEC will allow me to apply directly for a RP.

Any ideas why? If this is the case why do people do visa runs for Z visas?

Is it because my expired RP was with the same university? Is it only people transferring RPs who have to leave China to go to HK or home?

So my basic point, why do they make the most MUNDANE things like the residence form[have to get for every L visa even though it's exactly the same every single time, and they check every detail, every character], and yet when it comes to the law that you can only transfer from a Z visa to a RP, they've ignored it?

Also incase any one is interested, I *cough* didn't work the eight weeks I was waiting for my new FEC and my invitation letter *cough*.

[walkinginmemphis]

I see NO problem with these so-called hoops. Why should someone walk in claiming something get what they want without proving who they are, existence of previous documents, current legal status, etc.? You think you can just walk in and get such critical immigration documents in the U.S.? Absolutely not. Do what they tell you and leave it at that.