i'm a U.S. citizen. when i first came to china, i was here on a z-visa. more recently, i think it switched from z-visa into "residence permit." i notice each time the residence permit only lasts for 1-yr.

1. why? cant i get one that lasts for several yrs? or is 1-yr the limit? i ask this cuz my passport pages are almost filled up.

2. what is the difference between "residence permit" and "D-visa?"

3. if i were to resign from my job, and be jobless (i.e. i have no employer, or perhaps work for myself), what paperwork do i need to apply in order for me to continue staying in China indefinitely? D-visa? or residence permit?

You may add pages to your passport at US embassy on any working days, it'll only take you half an hour or so...so far as I know, yes, residence permit is required to get renewed every year at least.

8lrr8 wrote:i'm a U.S. citizen. when i first came to china, i was here on a z-visa. more recently, i think it switched from z-visa into "residence permit." i notice each time the residence permit only lasts for 1-yr.

1. why? cant i get one that lasts for several yrs? or is 1-yr the limit? i ask this cuz my passport pages are almost filled up.

2. what is the difference between "residence permit" and "D-visa?"

3. if i were to resign from my job, and be jobless (i.e. i have no employer, or perhaps work for myself), what paperwork do i need to apply in order for me to continue staying in China indefinitely? D-visa? or residence permit?

1. There are up to 5-year residence permits for those who hold very senior-level positions in top enterprises. You're probably stuck with the one-year variety.

2. For all practical purposes, the "D" visa no longer exists. It used to be a form of permanent residency and has since been replaced by the green card scheme. It's extremely unlikely you'll qualify.

3. Jobless? Stay indefinitely?? Forget it. You'll have to get an endless supply of "L" or "F" visas renewable every 6 months or so.

Contrary to what underh20 says you can get a Z visa from an agency.

dfoo wrote:Contrary to what underh20 says you can get a Z visa from an agency.

I don't recall saying you couldn't get a "Z" visa from an agency. Work on literacy before you re-sit for IELTS, Dfoo.

If one gets a "Z" visa from an agency, it will only be the one-year variety that the OP has already complained about. And since OP has indicated he is worried about passport pages filling up too fast, a continual supply of agency processed one-year "Z" visas won't accomplish what he has asked about. There's also the pesky little issue of maybe being unlucky enough for the PSB to somehow catch him on an illegal "Z" visa. Or working on an "L" or "F" visa.

3. Jobless? Stay indefinitely?? Forget it. You'll have to get an endless supply of "L" or "F" visas renewable every 6 months or so.

I was talking about this. Now I'll get back to studying for my IELTS.