Current Visa Policies

Posted Nov 11, 2010 11:48am by SashaBeijing

Joined: Sep 12th, 2008
Posts: 11

Hi everybody,

I'm wondering if anyone has any up to date information about visa policies? Let me explain my situation...

Currently, I am on a year-long L visa that is good for 90 days at a time. I will go to Seoul next weekend, and then will have 90 more days in China. On Feb. 11, 2011, my visa will expire. I am wondering what my options are.

I have asked a few people and they have told me that right now, there is no way to change an L visa. Can anyone confirm or deny this? If it is true, is it just because of the census?

I don't have to worry about it so much right now, but I'm just afraid that it will come to be mid-January and I will be in a bad position where I either have to go to Hong Kong every 30 days, or book a $2000 flight back to the US.. I'm really trying to avoid both of those things!

Thanks in advance for any advice/information.

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SashaBeijing

Joined: Sep 12th, 2008
Posts: 11

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: SashaBeijing on Nov 12, 2010 2:25pm

Really?? Nobody on here knows anything about this? Come on... this is the Beijinger! I was expecting at least 10 private messages from visa service people by now.

ocelot06

Joined: Apr 16th, 2009
Posts: 10

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: ocelot06 on Nov 12, 2010 2:45pm

I think it's really hard to convert visa for now.

I try to convert my L visa to an F visa.

I got only a few offers for F visa with 6 months period and the price is above a fly ticket for Europe !!! I don't understand the market right now.

At that price, you go to Europe and ask for a 1 year L visa ! Did someone got a 1 year L visa recently in Europe ?

crystal927

Joined: Apr 13th, 2009
Posts: 254

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: crystal927 on Nov 12, 2010 3:44pm

if you want to stay long,you may convert it to F instead of leaving beijing

if you have any visa problem,just contact me ,i will try my best to help you
e-mail:crystal86927@126.com
phone:13466794927

laura19860905

Joined: Dec 2nd, 2010
Posts: 17

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: laura19860905 on Dec 3, 2010 3:04pm

if your L visa has extended twice ,then you have to go to hongkong to apply for F visa ,then you can come into beijing again

laura

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zyc1998

Joined: Feb 19th, 2010
Posts: 18

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: zyc1998 on Dec 3, 2010 3:31pm

It can be convert to F. but you have to apply it 12days in advace and the process needs 25days.

Ella

18701375401
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Best wishes

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Ouyang Xueyu

Joined: Jun 5th, 2008
Posts: 31

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: Ouyang Xueyu on Dec 4, 2010 3:36am

Hi!

It seems your visa was issued outside of China. So you just need to exit and reenter again before Feb. 11. [Enter before] Then you'll be good until May.

SashaBeijing

Joined: Sep 12th, 2008
Posts: 11

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: SashaBeijing on Dec 4, 2010 10:22am

I'm still a bit confused about when my visa expires.

I was issued a one-year, multiple entry L visa in Chicago, USA. My visa says "Enter Before 18 Feb. 2011" and my most recent registration form says "Departure Date - 2011/02/21." I first arrived in Beijing on March 9, 2010.

So... does my visa expire on 2011/02/18, 02/21, or 03/09? If I leave the country again before 02/21, will I be allowed back in, and if so, for how long?

I have not extended this L visa yet, so will I still have to go to Hong Kong?

I plan to travel for the Spring Festival holiday and will leave on Jan. 15, and I plan to come back into China to go to Yunnan. When should I come back to Beijing if I need to change my visa??

Thanks for the help!

Ouyang Xueyu

Joined: Jun 5th, 2008
Posts: 31

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: Ouyang Xueyu on Dec 4, 2010 6:59pm

You are allowed to leave and come back as much as you please until 18-02-2011. You have to enter before this date and are allowed 90 days (if the visa says duration of each stay = 90 days). You just need to finish your travel before this date. Then you're good until May.

zhuwensen

Joined: Mar 19th, 2010
Posts: 14

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: zhuwensen on Dec 7, 2010 10:34am

There is a great deal of misinfo on this matter.

Of course it is possible to get your visa issues resolved in the mainland without the waste of a trip outside the country.

Suggest you contact Frank Xu.
Frank.0601@yahoo.com

SashaBeijing

Joined: Sep 12th, 2008
Posts: 11

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: SashaBeijing on Dec 30, 2010 7:10pm

Can anyone else confirm that I just need to enter China before the day that says "Enter Before" on my visa, and then I get another 90 days? If that's really the case, then that saves me a whole lot of trouble!

ashley_fei

Joined: Jun 19th, 2009
Posts: 92

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: ashley_fei on Dec 31, 2010 9:06am

Just need to enter China before the "enter date" on your visa page,and that is for sure if the "stay duration"is 90days ,you can stay in China for 90days.

The satisfaction we get from a lifetime depend on how high we choose our difficulties.

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SashaBeijing

Joined: Sep 12th, 2008
Posts: 11

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: SashaBeijing on Jan 3, 2011 7:44pm

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

One last question...

My visa says "Enter Before Feb. 18, 2011."

I'm looking at booking a flight back to BJ that would land on Feb. 17 at 11:15 p.m. Is that too much of a risk? If I don't get to the customs counter until midnight, which is Feb. 18, would they not let me back in? I have a hard time believing they would do that, but then again, this is China...

zhuwensen

Joined: Mar 19th, 2010
Posts: 14

Re: Current Visa Policies

Posted by: zhuwensen on Jan 3, 2011 7:59pm

I wouldnt cut it so close, but it's up to you.

You are dealing with government people and you could be arriving with an expired visa if your plane is delayed or some other intervention occurs.

I dont know what to do if one arrives at the airport with an expired visa. i suppose that they will give you a temporary travel visa on the spot in that case, but that's a guess.

The worst case is that you cant get on the plane in your home country if some life event intervenes -- then you really are stuck