Visa Confusion???

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John7

Newbie

Joined: Mar 18, 2004
Posts: 6

Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 20, 2004 - 08:05 AM
Post subject: Visa Confusion???

Hi! I'm a little confused about a Visa situation, maybe you can help?

I have a job in Shanghai that begins the second week in August. The company will supply me with a Z Visa, however they said I can not spend all summer traveling around China with this Z Visa. They can not supply me with the Z Visa until a couple weeks before my job begins.

Therefore, I plan on getting an L Visa for a tourist, so I can travel around China from mid-June to early August (40-50 days). The problem is that an L Visa is for only 30 days, can I renew this in China and travel longer? Also, when I arrange my Z Visa in early August, do I have to go to Hong Kong and leave China to do this?

Lastly, would it be possible for me just to attain an L Visa for 30 days, then go to Hong Kong early to get my Z Visa, around the end of June and use this Z Visa to travel for 2 works before I begin work, so I do not have to ren the L Visa?

Thanks!

[/b]

jenming

FooJay

Joined: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 1675
Location: Right where you wanna be
Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 20, 2004 - 10:07 AM

Your L-visa should easily be extendible for 30 days, giving you a total of around 60. The only thing is, that it takes them a few days to do it, so you won't get the full 60. Also, it may give you trouble if you're travelling around when your visa runs out. I've never had to do any visa stuff outside of shanghai, so I don't know where it's convenient or possible to take care of that stuff.

You *will* probably have to go to hong kong to change your visa. You can go there one night, and get it all taken care of the next day and be back in China within 24 hours if you want.

your last suggestion will probably work, as long as the number of days all work out, and your company is willing to give you your paperwork in time.

Oh also, don't forget about a couple of thing things you have to do to get your Z-visa, like a health check and stuff, so it's possible you won't be able to use *all* that time for travel.

The only other option i can think of is getting a F-visa (your company shouldn't have a problem getting you one of those) for 3 or 6 months before you come.

HTH,

jenming