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joycelum
Newbie
Joined: May 27, 2004
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
May 27, 2004 - 05:36 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Working Visa in Shanghai - Exit and Re-entry permit |
Hi Friends,
I have a question that needs your help.
My hubby will be posted to Shanghai soon and I will be following as well. I understand that we will be given a visa to work and to stay. But, can I leave Shanghai as and when I like? I need to have the freedom to return to my home country. Do I have to apply for exit and re-entry permit EVERY time I leave Shanghai for a holiday?
Also, are there different types of working visa?
Appreciate your advise.
Thank you.
Joyce |
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jenming
FooJay
Joined: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 1675
Location: Right where you wanna be
Status: Offline
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May 27, 2004 - 07:50 PM |
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Just one kind of work visa, a "Z" visa.
When you get here, you will be required to fill out all the forms, and actually get the visa put into your passports. When you do that, you have to chose how many entries/exits you want your visa to be valid for. It costs extra, but you can choose "multiple", which allows you to come and go as you please.
there's no need to apply for re-entry permits this way.
hope this helps,
jenming |
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joycelum
Newbie
Joined: May 27, 2004
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
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May 27, 2004 - 08:14 PM |
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Hi Jen Ming. Kam Sia for your reply!
Must bother you with some more qns.
Other than 'Z' visa for my husband, what kind of visa will I hold, as a dependant? How about a Resident Visa? All in all, how many types of Visa must we apply for?
I am really confused with all these visa issues, esp after reading from posts on rejection of visa and requirement to know 'someone' in order to obtain a visa faster.... etc. Do I have to go HK to settle my visa issues?
I did not expect such complications prior to even think about relocation problems! 
Kam Sia again!  |
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LeiFeng
Raver
Joined: Oct 17, 2002
Posts: 440
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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May 28, 2004 - 11:47 AM |
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You husband just needs a "Z" visa. In general, dependents, like you, should also obtain the same visa - so you should get a "Z" as well (although this will not allow you to work yourself without applying for a work permit, etc etc).
I can say that no matter who you know in Shanghai, you will not get the visa any faster. My last Z was handled by people in the Labour Bureau and people in the Entry-Exit Bureau who were family friends - the best I could get was not having to wait in line like other applicants. The processing times would not vary (although I got the feeling they might if the work load was light - at Wusong Road it tends to be busy every time I have been).
Don't worry about visa rejection - have been here for 3+ years and that's the first time I have heard of somebody being rejected for a Z visa. It won't happen. |
_________________
Principal, XLNTE. Experience Excellence.
ben@xlnte.com.
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joycelum
Newbie
Joined: May 27, 2004
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
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May 28, 2004 - 12:24 PM |
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Thank you very much, Leifeng.
I am rather surprised that a work permit is still required for someone with 'Z' visa. I read from one of the articles that we have to go for an interview before our visa will be approved. Is this true? If it is, what kind of interview will that be?
Do we have to go for a medical examination before our visa will be approved?
I know I sounded paranoid in my earlier postings. Maybe I have read too much into those difficulties that were encountered by other friends in the forum. Why then is it so difficult in their visa applications? I dread to think of going to HK to apply for visa.
I read somewhere that one kind person has posted a step by step guide on visa application. I should cream through the forum for the post. |
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LeiFeng
Raver
Joined: Oct 17, 2002
Posts: 440
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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May 28, 2004 - 12:44 PM |
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I had no interview for my Z visa. Because the US makes it inconvenient for Chinese citizens to get visas and fingerprints and photographs them, China has announced it may start interviewing US visa applicants. They certainly do not have the resources to interview every applicant, but if you are American, be prepared for the possibility. Personally I think it's more they "reserve the right" to interview and the whole thing is just a way to save face in the media.
The Z visa is just one part of working here. A Z visa allows you to enter the country for the purpose of employment (or to accompany an employed family member). Everybody with Z visa needs to apply for a residence permit which allows them to stay in China - without a residence permit, you can only stay for 30 days on that Z visa before you must leave China. To get that residence permit, you must have completed a complete medical - which can be done in your own country (download the forms from the Chinese embassy in your country) or here (approx. cost 800 RMB). It's generally more convenient to get it done here as a medical completed in the US must be notarized, the notary's stamp authenticated by the State, the State's authentication must be authorized by the US State Department and all of the above sent to the Chinese embassy in your country for authentication. THEN you can use the foreign medical results here. This all happens after you've entered on the Z though. You husband will also have a work permit - like the residence permit, this is a small book resembling a passport. The work permit gives your husband permission to work. The Z visa allows him to enter China for the purposes of employment.
It's really not complicated - your husbands employer will handle almost everything for you, if they are worth your salt. The people with visa problems are, for the most part, here in China doing their own thing.
I am sure my accumulated postings on Chinese visas are enough to fill a small book by now. You can search on the site to turn up answers to almost every conceivable question. |
_________________
Principal, XLNTE. Experience Excellence.
ben@xlnte.com.
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joycelum
Newbie
Joined: May 27, 2004
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
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May 28, 2004 - 01:20 PM |
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LeiFeng, really appreciate your help. Thank you very very much.
You have answered all my doubts!
I guess it is time for me to accept the 'truth' that I will be LIVING in Shanghai. It is funny sometimes. Going to a place for a holiday is different from living in that place. Expectations will be there. I really hope it is a correct decision. We believe we can survive in the country cos we are Chinese too. There will be no language problems though I don't think I can 'cheat' my way through to speak like their country people. Our accent are different. It is the way of life that is of concern to me. Behavioural patterns are different too. Having said all these, I am still looking forward to our posting in Shanghai.
I would like to take this chance to thank everyone for their posts and replies cos it is indeed a very good medium for anyone locating to Shanghai.
Cheers! |
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One_Brick_Shy
Rocker
Joined: May 20, 2004
Posts: 765
Location: Out looking for a brick, of course.
Status: Offline
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June 10, 2004 - 07:17 AM |
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There will be no language problems though I don't think I can 'cheat' my way through to speak like their country people. Our accent are different. It is the way of life that is of concern to me. Behavioural patterns are different too. Having said all these, I am still looking forward to our posting in Shanghai.
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No worries about this either. If they ask where you are from just tell them you come from the north, south, east or west of China. I have Korean friends who are here learning Mandarin and most locals don't know they are not Chinese. Probably due to the fact it's a large and diverse country with many dialects. Regarding way of life, you'll catch on very quickly. I am doing so and I'm not Chinese.  |
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The only difference between you and me is that you're you and I'm me. |
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LeiFeng
Raver
Joined: Oct 17, 2002
Posts: 440
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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June 10, 2004 - 05:10 PM |
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Joy, if my postings have been of any help, I glad. Come on over. Go with the flow. Remember that minor annoyances are just that: simply minor annoyances, focus on the good things and, above all, remember to have fun! |
_________________
Principal, XLNTE. Experience Excellence.
ben@xlnte.com.
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