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PaulROffline
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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 07:16 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top
Post subject: Visa restrictions for next few months

Had a look through the recent posts and can't see this being raised.....and it may be of intrest to the one's on here without Residency Permits who use the Hong Kong route for visas.

From China Briefings earlier this week:


Multiple-entry visas suspended

China has stopped issuing multiple-entry visas and slowed the processing time for single- and double-entry visas for foreigners in Hong Kong. According to travel agencies in the region, applicants are only being issued single-entry visas, with double-entry visas only being issued if airline tickets or detailed itinerary can be provided explaining why two entries are required during the same trip. The duration of stay for both single- and double-entry visas is 30 days.

It is also now being recommended to apply in advance of planned travel to the mainland, as processing times are slowing as well. Currently, a visa can take up to four days to process according to travel agencies in Hong Kong. The suspension, which appears to be both related to the upcoming Olympics as well as the ongoing political unrest in the nation’s western regions, took effect on March 28 and will last until October 17.

Chinese authorities are also said to be stepping up enforcement of other rules and regulations applying to foreigners on the mainland. A recent letter circulating on the mainland warns foreigners with residence permits in China to make sure they register with their local police station within 24 hours of arriving in China, and every time they return to the mainland from abroad. While these rules have been in place for years, the letter suggests that the authorities will step up enforcement of the regulations ahead of the Summer Games.


One thing I didn't realise is that if you have a Residence Visa, you still have to regester with the local police.......... Confused
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underh20
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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 07:21 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top
Post subject: Re: Visa restrictions for next few months

PaulR wrote:
Had a look through the recent posts and can't see this being raised.....and it may be of intrest to the one's on here without Residency Permits who use the Hong Kong route for visas.

From China Briefings earlier this week:

Multiple-entry visas suspended

China has stopped issuing multiple-entry visas and slowed the processing time for single- and double-entry visas for foreigners in Hong Kong. According to travel agencies in the region, applicants are only being issued single-entry visas, with double-entry visas only being issued if airline tickets or detailed itinerary can be provided explaining why two entries are required during the same trip. The duration of stay for both single- and double-entry visas is 30 days.

It is also now being recommended to apply in advance of planned travel to the mainland, as processing times are slowing as well. Currently, a visa can take up to four days to process according to travel agencies in Hong Kong. The suspension, which appears to be both related to the upcoming Olympics as well as the ongoing political unrest in the nation’s western regions, took effect on March 28 and will last until October 17.

Chinese authorities are also said to be stepping up enforcement of other rules and regulations applying to foreigners on the mainland. A recent letter circulating on the mainland warns foreigners with residence permits in China to make sure they register with their local police station within 24 hours of arriving in China, and every time they return to the mainland from abroad. While these rules have been in place for years, the letter suggests that the authorities will step up enforcement of the regulations ahead of the Summer Games.


One thing I didn't realise is that if you have a Residence Visa, you still have to regester with the local police.......... Confused


Don't believe a lot of what you read in That Rag.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has already issued a statement that it is false that they've stopped issuing multiple entry visas.

But then the truth seldom gets in the way of That Rag's reporting.

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Last edited by underh20 on Apr 15, 2008 - 09:00 AM; edited 1 time in total
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PaulROffline
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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 08:31 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Hmmm...........that's good news then Cool ........I've not been to the local police to register since l got my residency permit last year Very Happy.......I presume that bit is correct confused once you have residency you don't have to register every time you return to China ?

P.S..........if I get a visit from the PSB, can I say that UnderH2o said it was OK to be here Laughing
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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 09:45 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

I came back from HK on a new visa March 27, but neglected to re-register at my local police station until three days ago (April 10). It was a non-issue. I suppose every precinct won't be as blasé.

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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 10:57 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

What about the one month per restrictions?

I'm living on three month visas, since it's cheapest.

I hate Hong Kong, and I'd hate to spend four days of every month there.
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Andreas
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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 11:03 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

woaihuan wrote:
What about the one month per restrictions?

I'm living on three month visas, since it's cheapest.

I hate Hong Kong, and I'd hate to spend four days of every month there.


Well, then don't. Choice is yours isn't it? If you would do anything professional here you would be living on a one year Z visa anyway, painlessly renewed every year. Right?

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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 11:11 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Can't, not eligible. Must be 18.

...I hope October comes quickly. Maybe I take my wife to Canada for the summer.
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Andreas
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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 11:14 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Ah, ok, I see. That's a different story, I did not realize that (or better said, I forgot Embarassed). Hope it works out for you.

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Post  Posted: Apr 13, 2008 - 11:28 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

If she'd adopted you instead of marrying you, this would have been much easier.
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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 07:35 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

I'd just sign up for a Chinese language program and get an X-visa (student), then at least you can stay here legally without having to make those trips out.

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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 11:06 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

according to SCMP, officially there is still multi entry visas. the only problem is 'due to a systems upgrade, multi entry visas take indefinite period to process'
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deeroo
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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 01:53 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Based upon a link on another thread about applying for a Z visa in the home country of the applicant, would it be possible to apply for the visa though an agency in the US (one that I have used before) and then have the passport with the Z visa sent to me here?

I am just curious to know if I have to physically enter the country with the Z visa and have that entry stamp before I can apply for the Residence permit. Or would they even allow me out of the country to Hong Kong for the day to get the stamps if I have a Z visa issued on say April 20th, but I haven't left the country since I got here on Dec 29th (my original L visa was issued with 120 day stays).

These regs keep changing so quick that I want to get this taken care of asap.

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Last edited by deeroo on Apr 14, 2008 - 02:41 PM; edited 1 time in total
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woaihuanOffline
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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 01:59 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

120 day stays? How do you get that kind of L?

Is the in home country only rule applying only to Z visas?
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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 02:42 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

I got the 120 day visa last year from the US before all these crazy new laws started coming through.

I am not sure if it only applies for Z visas...when I find out more, I'll post it.

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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 05:27 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

yu888 wrote:
I'd just sign up for a Chinese language program and get an X-visa (student), then at least you can stay here legally without having to make those trips out.


hi,

Can you switch easily from a F visa to X visa?
What kind of document do you need?
Where did you sign?
language school or university?

thanks
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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 05:33 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

sbergman wrote:
If she'd adopted you instead of marrying you, this would have been much easier.


Haha... Sorry, couldn't help but laugh!

I'm glad I don't have to go through any visa crap any more. Waiting 8 months to finally get a work permit was more than enough waiting.

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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 06:30 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

One thing i do need to know is..........all of you guys and girls out there with residency permits....the little red book.....do you still regester at the PSB everytime you leave and return to China? Since I got residency last year I've not been bothering to go to the PSB for the pink slip.......should I be going Confused
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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 08:39 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

The rumors are true... foriegners can't apply for 3 month visa in Hong Kong anymore. My American friend went back to HK to renew his visa a week back, and he was only given 1 month, and was notified about the new policy change. As a result, he will be going back to the US. Sad Well he was unemployed here. But flying to hk every month to renew 30 days is too costly.

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Post  Posted: Apr 14, 2008 - 09:33 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

winterain wrote:
The rumors are true... foriegners can't apply for 3 month visa in Hong Kong anymore. My American friend went back to HK to renew his visa a week back, and he was only given 1 month, and was notified about the new policy change. As a result, he will be going back to the US. Sad Well he was unemployed here. But flying to hk every month to renew 30 days is too costly.


He could always pick up residence in Shenzhen.

I agree though. I'm doing the same thing and going back to Canada. The cost is high, but even more importantly, Hong Kong sucks and spending 1/6 of my time there getting visas is just stupid.

Plus I heard that pretty soon they're only going to allow those with letters of invitation from family, business, or Olympics tickets to get tourist visas.

For the first time, I'll say it.

F*ck China.

And I'll be back in February.
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underh20
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Post  Posted: Apr 15, 2008 - 07:29 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

woaihuan wrote:
winterain wrote:
The rumors are true... foriegners can't apply for 3 month visa in Hong Kong anymore. My American friend went back to HK to renew his visa a week back, and he was only given 1 month, and was notified about the new policy change. As a result, he will be going back to the US. Sad Well he was unemployed here. But flying to hk every month to renew 30 days is too costly.


He could always pick up residence in Shenzhen.


What's the difference between applying for residency in Shanzhen and anywhere else in China?

If you are talking about the special border visas valid only for Shenzhen, I hear they also have been eliminated.

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underh20
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Post  Posted: Apr 15, 2008 - 07:30 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

PaulR wrote:
One thing i do need to know is..........all of you guys and girls out there with residency permits....the little red book.....do you still regester at the PSB everytime you leave and return to China? Since I got residency last year I've not been bothering to go to the PSB for the pink slip.......should I be going Confused


Hey, Einstein, on which planet are little red books called residency permits?

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underh20
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Post  Posted: Apr 15, 2008 - 07:31 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

deeroo wrote:
Based upon a link on another thread about applying for a Z visa in the home country of the applicant, would it be possible to apply for the visa though an agency in the US (one that I have used before) and then have the passport with the Z visa sent to me here?

I am just curious to know if I have to physically enter the country with the Z visa and have that entry stamp before I can apply for the Residence permit. Or would they even allow me out of the country to Hong Kong for the day to get the stamps if I have a Z visa issued on say April 20th, but I haven't left the country since I got here on Dec 29th (my original L visa was issued with 120 day stays).

These regs keep changing so quick that I want to get this taken care of asap.


Might work. Or might not. It would be better if you were in Hong Kong because I'd think they would notice on the Mainland that there was no arrival stamp in your passport. You also wouldn't be in their computer system as having entered on a Z.

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woaihuanOffline
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Post  Posted: Apr 15, 2008 - 09:25 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

underh20 wrote:
woaihuan wrote:
winterain wrote:
The rumors are true... foriegners can't apply for 3 month visa in Hong Kong anymore. My American friend went back to HK to renew his visa a week back, and he was only given 1 month, and was notified about the new policy change. As a result, he will be going back to the US. Sad Well he was unemployed here. But flying to hk every month to renew 30 days is too costly.


He could always pick up residence in Shenzhen.


What's the difference between applying for residency in Shanzhen and anywhere else in China?

If you are talking about the special border visas valid only for Shenzhen, I hear they also have been eliminated.


If you lived in Shenzhen, it's no big deal to hop the boarder monthly.
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underh20
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Post  Posted: Apr 15, 2008 - 09:30 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

^ Very true.

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Post  Posted: Apr 15, 2008 - 09:55 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

The kid has good logic...some of us are just jealous he is so damned young Wink

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