I'm currently on an X visa (which has been extended by one month already). It expires on the 29th of February.

I'd quite like to go on to a 6 month business visa but a friend tells me that the visa rules and regulations have recently been updated and that this is no longer possible.

Does anyone have any new information? I was a little worried that the information here was a little outdated.

How quickly can agencies process a visa for you? Or does it look like I need to make a quick trip to Hong Kong!

Please let me know

Many thanks, Catherine

Because of the Olympics, things are much tighter than they used to be and fraudulent visas are harder to come by.

If you've been here on a one year X, you probably need to leave and come back. If it was 6 months, I would skip the time/expense and go to Pudong.

I think the possibility of getting in trouble with an agency visa is greater now -- all the more reason to go the legitimate route and trek out to PuDong. There are a number of officers there who speak English.

Since it appears your not doing business, why would you want that visa? Just go to PuDong and get an L visa. Neither F nor L allow you to earn an income, and if you get a real job (as opposed to an under-the-table teaching job) your employer will get you a work visa.