May 1, 2008...9:16 am
China Visa Update
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This week I attended an AmCham seminar on the new regulations for Chinese visas. I thought I’d share my notes with everyone so that you can all be informed about the new rules:
- There are no changes to the Z (work) visa procedure. These visas are converted into work and residency permits inside China upon entrance into the country.
- Currently people need to apply in their home countries for Chinese visas and cannot apply in Hong Kong (other third countries are currently okay at the moment including Macao). Only those with either HK work permits or HK ID can apply for visas in Hong Kong.
- Visa processing takes longer so you need to be prepared and apply in advance.
- For L (tourist) visas, you are required to have a copy of a hotel reservation a photocopy of a round-trip plan ticket.
- For F (business) visas, you are required to apply at the consulate/embassy in your country of residence. The consulates/embassies are only issuing 30-day single or double-entry visas. The following are the required documents: original letter from the Chinese government ministry; Chinese hotel reservation; photocopy of return plane tickets.
- F visas can be extended inside China only. If extended in Beijing they can only be extended to July 1st 2008. If extended in Shanghai, they can be extended for the standard 30 to 60 days and count as single entry (and supposedly beyond July 1st). Extensions take five working days and must be applied for in person.
- For the letter from the Chinese government ministry (usually the local foreign affairs office), this must be applied for by a locally registered company such as a WOFE or domestic Chinese company in the city where the person applying for the F visa intends to visit. IE if the person intends to visit Shanghai, the letter must be applied for by a company in Shanghai.
- Representative offices must apply through an agent such as FESCO to get the letter from the relevant ministry
- Those people who are in China for longer than 90 days continually or more than 180 days in a calendar year should apply to be on a Z visa, which would be changed to a residency permit inside China.
- F and L visas for senior managers can be changed to work and residence permits from inside China. Also all companies with capital over US$3 million can change F and L visas to work and residency permits for all employees. Representative offices also can’t apply directly for Z visas. They must apply for L or F visas and convert them to work and residency permits inside China.
- These regulations will most like last after the Olympics. The government is really cracking down on F visa holders who are actually residents inside China as they are really residents here, and should therefore be on residency and work permits and be paying taxes.
I hope this clears things up for a lot of people.
J.
P.S. It’s the Labour Day holiday in China, so I’m not posting for this weekend. I may post a book review on Lost Laowai though so please check there.
Update: Rich at All Roads Lead to China just posted a story that it looks like some multi-entry F and L visas are being canceled. He says the information is third hand but it is something worth watching.
19 Comments
May 3, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Did they mention anything about applying for z visas if the registered capital of the company is under 1 million RMB? We are a domestic chinese registered company, not a WOFE.
On allroads they said that it will be difficult to get z visas if your company has less than 1 mil. rmb in registered capital. since we are a service firm, our registered capital is tiny.
thanks for your help on this and for the post!
May 4, 2008 at 12:22 pm
[...] One-Eyed Panda’s Journal: China Visa Update - Good roundup of new (unofficial?) regulations governing tourist and business visas | china visa [...]
May 4, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Great update, thanks for making it all a lot clearer than most of the smoke that’s been drifting about on this subject recently. All I can add though is ‘about time too’ - the ‘guidelines’ have been loosely interpreted by locals and abused by visitors for far too long. Time to stump up what they are due, pay their way and be accountable.
May 4, 2008 at 3:02 pm
In an earlier post, you criticized people for “panicking” and “overreacting” to the ever tightening visa restrictions in China, and claim that these restrictions are only to deal with volume of visa applications. However, now it would seem that there is more at work than simply increasing visa application efficiency, or dealing with increased application volume; instead the government is now trying to get rid of the F visa “loophole” altogether. A loophole that, by the way, has benefited many Chinese businesses just as much as it has foreigners over the years.
For anyone trying to renew their visas over the summer, it seems like it’s time to panic. But I guess that doesn’t bother you, since your visa situation is set.
And if you think this is all about paying taxes, you are flat wrong. The government has enough trouble trying to get Chinese individuals and businesses to pay taxes on income. This is about new visions of “social order” and the perceptions among officials of illegal residents affecting China’s social stability.
May 4, 2008 at 8:18 pm
@small company z visa question: I’m not sure about what the rules are for domestic Chinese companies, you’d better check with the labor bureau. I do know that for foreign companies with less than US$1 million in capital you can only change the F visas of senior managers to work permits.
@discouraged: I stand by what I said in the earlier post, people shouldn’t panic until they get the full information. It just creates rumours that only cause panic. For those who are living here illegally on F or L visas, I sympathize but to be honest and to take a page from fellow blogger, Rich Brubaker of All Roads Lead to China, those people have been getting a free ride and not paying taxes and they know or at least should know now that they aren’t here legally. Yes, my visa situation is stable and I am not affect by the changes, but I pay taxes here and I realize that I’m guest in this country. I posted the information to simply make sure that for those who really want to stay here know what they can do to make sure they have the opportunity to stay in the country.
Also China isn’t cracking down on social order or anything like that. If one were staying illegally on a business or tourist visa in Europe, Canada or the US, that person be deported long ago. China is just bringing itself into line with other country’s practices.
J
May 6, 2008 at 4:34 am
[...] I had an opportunity to visit Beijing and Shanghai right at the end of the SARS scare, so I can comment from direct experience about the potential impact. The biggest challenge will come if we start encountering travel restrictions, as happened during SARS. Business in China still requires direct personal contact, so obstacles to travel will slow everything down. As others have noted extensively, the government is already doing its best to clamp down on visas. [...]
May 6, 2008 at 11:47 am
[...] Eyed Panda gives an update about the issuing of China multiple visa during the Olympic period. DANWEI provides a background for the visa confusion. Posted by Oiwan [...]
May 6, 2008 at 4:58 pm
What’s the situation for freelance workers like myself and Chinese spouse (on foreign passport) who for the past six years have always managed to find a way of getting F visas? We both work, often on short-term projects, for a variety of different organisations, some foreign, some local. Is it possible for people like us to convert to a Z visa? Any information gratefully received.
May 6, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I’m a student in China. I already have an F visa that expires in September. Could I be asked to leave even though I have a visa? Could I be prevented from traveling? I’m sort of hoping to visit qingdao. I don’t really enjoy beijing anyways.
I really can’t go back to the US (and thus couldn’t apply for another visa from the US) , … I’m an American but I’m based in the Philippines, and couldn’t afford to fly to the US just for the sake of another visa.
It seems like strict policies will only hurt them. I’m here learning their language, … yet it cost me ~$300 just to enter the country. I had to pay ~150 for a tourist visa to enter, and then another ~150 to get the F visa so I could stay at school. This is my second time entering, because I went to the Philippines over winter break. Back in September, I had to apply to my current university because the one in Beijing wouldn’t bother helping me get a visa to study at their school.
As compared to about a thousand dollars a semester for the university, the visa fee’s aren’t small sums of money. I’m a student. I don’t have an income, … I’m spending my savings in their country. It really discourages my desire to be involved with this country. I get shafted like that on visa fees, and then my school lectures us about traveling here. I hope I don’t actually run into problems, but rumors are floating around and they’re making me nervous.
What were policies like regarding visas for Olympics in other countries? Doesn’t the Olympic committee have some sort of requirements opposed on them so that they can’t go profiteering on visa fees when suddenly so many people will need those visas? and what about media? doesn’t the olympic committee have stipulations about allowing in free foreign media? Will reporters be able to get more than a 30 day tourist visa?
and, photo copy of hotel reservations? I haven’t stayed in many places here that would accept reservations. Actually, I don’t think I’ve encountered a business at all that even accepted foreign credit cards. These regulations don’t seem very practical.
In practice, … I wonder what will actually happen with these policies. I remember someone applying for a permit to tibet. To apply for the permit, he needed a copy of his plane ticket. To buy the plane ticket, he needed a copy of his permit. He walked back and forth between the two offices for days. Eventually they gave him the permit and plane ticket, and he went to tibet. It provides some headaches, but in the end it seems that the impossible policies are (by necessity) ignored.
May 6, 2008 at 8:01 pm
@What about freelancers?: My understanding is you need a locally registered company in China to sponsor you (IE either a domestic Chinese company or a wholly owned foreign enterprise). If you can’t do that or you are self-employed I’d suggest setting up a company in Hong Kong and then opening a representative office in China.
This is not a fast or inexpensive solution but it is the legal one. If you’re seriously interested in this idea please contact me privately by email (guise.in.china@gmail.com) and I can put you in touch with someone who can help.
@nairbv: You should be able to extend your F visa inside China in September without a problem. Should you be registered to study I think that you could go on an X student visa.
In terms if you could be asked to leave the answer is no, as long as you don’t break the law or do anything that would anger the authorities. If you had to leave the country to get a new visa you would be able to do so in the Philippines without any trouble.
I know the visa fees are higher and they can be a pain the butt but unfortunately there isn’t much you can do. As for your school lecturing you that’s normal. They take responsibility for you here so they’re going to act like your mom.
I hope everything works out.
J.
May 7, 2008 at 11:48 am
For L (tourist) visas, they are requiring much more than the “published” restrictions (tickets & hotel confirmations). It’s just the tip of the iceberg
When I arrived at the Chinese embassy in Bangkok with all these new documents, they then asked for copies of citizen ID cards of any Chinese citizens I would be visiting. (I had a letter of invitation with me from a host family). They also wanted ORIGINALS of hotel confirmations (no photocopies or faxes accepted). Also, my E-ticket confirmation was not accepted: they required original paper tickets in hand.
For a person intent on pouring thousands of dollars into the Chinese economy to see the Olympics, this treatment is demeaning. I promptly canceled plans for a China visit, as is happening with a number of my friends and acquaintances.
China is shooting itself in the foot. Throwing a party, but locking the door. Absolutely ridiculous.
May 7, 2008 at 7:20 pm
@J: Thanks for the tip. I didn’t know about this and have passed it onto some friends who are having family visit them here.
I don’t know if every consulate/Embassy will ask for the ID numbers of Chinese friends people are visiting as the visa process gives a lot of leeway to consular officers.
J.
May 8, 2008 at 1:03 am
[...] you heard about the new restrictions on getting the Chinese visa? Only in effect during the Olympics. Harder to get and allows less time in China. I am actually [...]
May 8, 2008 at 9:06 am
I am about to switch from an f visa to a z visa….. is it going to be a huge problem?? I know that there are factors such as registered capital, resume experience, etc…….. I have been out of school for two years, its a large company, but what other problems can i expect?
May 8, 2008 at 10:47 am
do I need visa to stay in macao? I’m, indonesian, It ussually not necessary, but is there any rules changes? thank you
May 8, 2008 at 11:15 am
I have a multi-entry F good thru mid-August. Came back to Kunming May 2 after a one week dental/medical trip to Bangkok. All smiles at Kunming Airport Immigration. Noticed only 1 other foreigner being pulled aside for special attention, while the mass of the rest of us were processed in less than 5 minutes each.
May 8, 2008 at 7:50 pm
@Jason: If you’ve submitted your resume and university degree to your company you shouldn’t worry too much. The decision is really in the hands of the local labour bureau and it depends on how well your company plays up the fact that you are needed to fill the job (not a Chinese national). I’ve heard of very few requests for work permits getting rejected.
As for what else to look out for, you’ll need to go for a health exam. It takes about an hour and is really thorough. Your company will probably pay for it so take advantage of it.
Also if you’ve already rented an apartment and registered at the police station you’ll need to re-register your visa. You’ll have to also re-register within 24 hours of re-entering China from a trip outside the country.
@Maria: I am not familiar with any visa regulation changes for Hong Kong or Macao, but it is best to check with the local Chinese consulate/embassy in your region. Mainland China landing visas for Singaporeans staying in the country 15 days or less have been suspended for the Olympics, so it is best to check.
@Harv: Good to hear, I assume that regulations are a little less strict in the non-Olympic venue cities — excluding that T place of course.
J.
May 8, 2008 at 10:22 pm
i am an american currently studying for one year (sept 07 - july 0
at blcu (beijing language and culture university) and i have a residence permit allowing me to live here, which expires on july 31 2008. i recently registered for an august 08 intensive chinese course at blcu and i am wondering if anyone knows if i am going to encounter problems renewing my residence permit vis-a-vis all these olympics restrictions. any info. at all would be helpful, thanks.
May 9, 2008 at 7:06 am
@meg: Since you’re on a student residence permit and are signed up for another course you can probably extend it with no problem. You should talk to the foreign student office at BLCU.
The only problem you may encounter is that you may not be able to get an extension past the end of your course (IE past the end of August if I understand your message correctly).
J.
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