What are the steps to do it? I'm panicing right now. Cuz we're going to Shanghai soon. And it's not taken care of yet.

The company has contracted to get you both a Z visa? Have you submitted the required documentation and had a med screen? If not, don't panic. There are a lot of people who arrive in Shanghai on the L visa and complete the process after arrival (med screen, paperwork, etc).

Contact the company and see which approach they are taking. If time is getting tight, make sure that there is enough time to have the med screens done and translated (to obtain the Z visa prior to arrival). Additionally, there are occassions where the transtition between L and Z requires departure from the mainland, generally to HK... make sure that should that be the plan, the company will pay transportation, accomidation and expenses.

Well, actually my husband hasn't even found a job in Shanghai yet. But I do need to fly the latest 2nd week of Oct. Otherwise the airline won't let me get on there. So if he just starts to look for a job in Shanghai with an L visa, anybody would even think about hiring him?

leidelaohu wrote:

babygirlduedec2007 wrote:Well, actually my husband hasn't even found a job in Shanghai yet. But I do need to fly the latest 2nd week of Oct. Otherwise the airline won't let me get on there. So if he just starts to look for a job in Shanghai with an L visa, anybody would even think about hiring him?

Can I cordially ask what the heck you are thinking of ? Jesus H Keerist

I'm originally from Shanghai. And both of my parents are still there. My husband said it's probably better for me to have the baby there anyway since both the baby and I will be taken good care of. My parents wouldn't be able to come to US for as long as we want them to. And the daycare here is horrible. Don't want to put our baby into a daycare anyway. Recently, a 9-year-old killed an infant in daycare. Anyway, that's why we're thinking about moving to Shanghai for a while.

and regularly you hear of kids getting hit by cars and dropping out of apartment windows here. A case of a 9 year old killing an infant in daycare is also sad but hardly enough indication its a systemic problem.

Anyhow, you have your reasons I suppose but we had our baby in the States where it was much safer and comfortable for us as we were in one of the best maternity wards in the Bay Area. Nothing comes close in Shanghai. No parents no ayi's...just the traditional dad mom and new baby. But then again listen to your husband, I am sure he knows best. Do understand the grandparents being helpful part though.

Anyhow, back on topic, you can change the L to a Z after your husband's company figures out all the necessary documentation and if its a large MNC with enough capitalization, you won't even have to leave the country to process the new residency permits etc...otherwise, paperwork gets done and you need to leave and re-enter on the Z-visa to finish the process.

just go to your embassy's website, there's special visas for Chinese/Shanghainese and their spouses. Your situation is different than most people's on this forum, so it's unlikely most of us laowai will have expert/accurate advice. The Chinese government also has new plans for returning Chinese citizens, job seek help, government mandated salary. If you have skills, it may apply to you.

If you're coming from the US:

http://shanghai.usconsulate.gov/chinese_visas.html
http://houston.china-consulate.org/eng/vp/default.htm

babygirlduedec2007 wrote:Well, actually my husband hasn't even found a job in Shanghai yet. But I do need to fly the latest 2nd week of Oct. Otherwise the airline won't let me get on there. So if he just starts to look for a job in Shanghai with an L visa, anybody would even think about hiring him?

Any reputable company will expect to change his L to a Z, pay for his health check and his trip out of the country. If you're traveling on a Chinese passport, doesn't he get an automatic visa for being family?

You can't get a Z visa until you have a job, so of all the things that you could be panicked about, your husband's Z visa should be pretty low on the list. I think the worst that can happen is he'll have to get temporary resident permits every time he leaves the country and exit periodically.

mswp wrote:

babygirlduedec2007 wrote:Well, actually my husband hasn't even found a job in Shanghai yet. But I do need to fly the latest 2nd week of Oct. Otherwise the airline won't let me get on there. So if he just starts to look for a job in Shanghai with an L visa, anybody would even think about hiring him?

Any reputable company will expect to change his L to a Z, pay for his health check and his trip out of the country. If you're traveling on a Chinese passport, doesn't he get an automatic visa for being family?

You can't get a Z visa until you have a job, so of all the things that you could be panicked about, your husband's Z visa should be pretty low on the list. I think the worst that can happen is he'll have to get temporary resident permits every time he leaves the country and exit periodically.

I thought with a Z visa, he could get a one-year permanent resident status. So within that year, he won't need any visa to re-enter China. That's not how it works?

He holds a US passport. Me holding Chinese passport doesn't him an automatic visa. He'll have to apply for a L visa everytime he goes to China.

If he gets a real job and qualifies for a work permit, then he can get a 1 year residence permit (unlimited entry/exit).
Since he is a spouse of a Chinese passport holder, there may be other options, like the 'marriage visa'.
Also, some visa laws changed in August, and since your situation is a little more unique than most expats here, the US/China embassies would be the most help/safest source of advice.

CoffeeHawk_0 wrote:If he gets a real job and qualifies for a work permit, then he can get a 1 year residence permit (unlimited entry/exit).
Since he is a spouse of a Chinese passport holder, there may be other options, like the 'marriage visa'.
Also, some visa laws changed in August, and since your situation is a little more unique than most expats here, the US/China embassies would be the most help/safest source of advice.

Thank you, coffee. I finally asked my parents to call the entry & exit Bureau. What they were told is that I can call the Chinese Embassy here and get our marriage certificate notarized there. After that, they'll issue him a permanent resident card. That's it! I can't believe how easy it is. It's kinda ridiculous that the people from Chinese Embassy in Chicago didn't tell me that.

Thank you guys for all the help. I really appreciate it.