China Visa Application
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China Visa Application in China (Renewals and Extension)
You could be applying for a visa either in your own country, within China or in a third country. If you have any doubts about your situation you should enquire at a Chinese Consulate that issues visas or at a Public Security Bureau Entry and Exit Administration office in China. China does not accept any postal or couriered applications from individuals.
China Visa Application in China (Renewals and Extensions)
It is not possible to renew or extend a visa or change a visa type. However, if you want to spend more time in China, want a multiple entry, or need to have a different visa type, you can - in many circumstances – apply within China. The procedure is very similar to applying outside China, but you must go to the Public Security Bureau (PSM) Exit and Entry Administration office for the municipality where you will be 'resident' on the night following the submission of the application. Smaller centers might not have good English speakers so it is a good idea to take a Chinese friend with you if you can. Ask at international hotels if you are not sure where the PSB Exit and Entry Administration office is.
The new visa runs from the date of issue (a small difference compared with visas issued outside China which do not start until you enter China) and the old visa is cancelled at that time. So, you cannot have two concurrent visas such as a student and work visa. It is a good idea not to apply until the old visa is about to expire as you lose any unused time on the old one. Do not be concerned that you may have a gap between visas while the new visa is being processed – if you apply just before a week long closure of the PSB office such as Spring Festival, you might get up to 10 days 'for free'!
Always make sure you apply by the last day of validity of the old one, earlier, if the expiry is on a non-working day, and that you have all the required documentation. If you are late applying, you have overstayed your visa and are subject to a fine and possible expulsion.
If you run into difficulties when at the PSB, it is a waste of time getting irate or trying to bluster your way through, it simply doesn't work. Stay cool and you will generally find the officials help and explain all they can.
Currently, it seems that one month is the standard period for regular tourist visas issued in China. Longer ones are available in some situations such as for persons married to Chinese nationals.
Complete the application form from the PSB Exit and Entry Administration office for the locality where you are registered as residing the night of the application, (ie AFTER you apply). It is probably easiest to take the application in yourself. If you have a friend submit your application there are additional regulations.
China Visa Application in China (Renewals and Extensions)
It is not possible to renew or extend a visa or change a visa type. However, if you want to spend more time in China, want a multiple entry, or need to have a different visa type, you can - in many circumstances – apply within China. The procedure is very similar to applying outside China, but you must go to the Public Security Bureau (PSM) Exit and Entry Administration office for the municipality where you will be 'resident' on the night following the submission of the application. Smaller centers might not have good English speakers so it is a good idea to take a Chinese friend with you if you can. Ask at international hotels if you are not sure where the PSB Exit and Entry Administration office is.
The new visa runs from the date of issue (a small difference compared with visas issued outside China which do not start until you enter China) and the old visa is cancelled at that time. So, you cannot have two concurrent visas such as a student and work visa. It is a good idea not to apply until the old visa is about to expire as you lose any unused time on the old one. Do not be concerned that you may have a gap between visas while the new visa is being processed – if you apply just before a week long closure of the PSB office such as Spring Festival, you might get up to 10 days 'for free'!
Always make sure you apply by the last day of validity of the old one, earlier, if the expiry is on a non-working day, and that you have all the required documentation. If you are late applying, you have overstayed your visa and are subject to a fine and possible expulsion.
If you run into difficulties when at the PSB, it is a waste of time getting irate or trying to bluster your way through, it simply doesn't work. Stay cool and you will generally find the officials help and explain all they can.
Currently, it seems that one month is the standard period for regular tourist visas issued in China. Longer ones are available in some situations such as for persons married to Chinese nationals.
Complete the application form from the PSB Exit and Entry Administration office for the locality where you are registered as residing the night of the application, (ie AFTER you apply). It is probably easiest to take the application in yourself. If you have a friend submit your application there are additional regulations.
The section What you must submit (for a visa application) explains what you need to get together before you apply. One point is that you must include 'photocopies of your passport id page, your current visa, and your last entry stamp; and a residency registration'. The residency registration comes from the regulation that all foreigners must register their accommodation details within 24 hours of arriving (48 hours in remote areas) – as explained below.
If you are staying in a hotel certified to accommodate foreigners - this excludes most budget hotels, but youth hostels affiliated to the Chinese YHA are ok – they can provide you with a hotel accommodation registration slip, (旅馆住宿登记 guan zhu su deng ji) for the night of the date you are making the application, not the one before! If you are not staying in a hotel, you must obtain an accommodation registration printout from the police station for the area you are living - and where you should already have registered. So if you are staying in a non accredited hotel or with friends or in an apartment but have not registered, you should either register or stay in an accredited hotel for one night in order to get the slip.
Maybe you are also interested in reading Chinese Visa Application in Your Own Country and China Visa Application in a Third Country & Regions.
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Travelers' Voices on China Visa Application in China
1.
Nov. 16,2009 05:03 Reply
Mrs.Liaw(Malaysia) said:
Hi,
I am a Malaysian and currently having my vacation in ShenZhen. Meanwhile, My husband is currently in ChangChun, serving as a Knowledge exchange in Ericsson company. He is now holding a "F" visa. I wish to go to meet up with my husband in ChangChun.
Is it possible for me to renew my current "L" visa to 3 months 0 entry?
Thanks & Best Regards,
MRs Liaw
Nov. 16,2009 21:16
Mr.armstrong(USA) replied:
China L visa is 3 months valid actually.
Nov. 16,2009 21:34
Mrs.Liaw replied:
The L visa i am holding currently is 6 months multiple entry with 30 days stay duration. Please advice.
Thanks
2.
Nov. 9,2009 02:27 Reply
Mr.jonathan(Singapore ) said:
Kindly advise me if i can go to Jiamen - Taiwan's island to stamp my passport and enter back in Xiamen again on the same day?
How many times can i do it as SG's passport holders are allowed less than 15 days without visa. Thanks.
Nov. 9,2009 22:19
Mr.Morton replied:
I think there is no limitation.
Nov. 10,2009 01:12
Mr.jonathan(SG) replied:
Thanks Mr Morton. Appreciate yr reply.
3.
Aug. 10,2009 10:52 Reply
Mr.giorgio(italy) said:
Hello, I'm Giorgio from Italy
I'm going to spend a 6 months term internship in a chinese architecture company based in Shangai, starting from October 2009 until the end of March 2010.
Last week I got my visa for China but I found a strange thing on it I want to share with you:
it's a 2-entry visa (and that's ok....even if I had applied for a multiple-entry visa, they told me I just could get 2-entry visa as it was my first time in China); the thing that makes me worry is the duration of each stay after the entry: my visa says 30 days...
after having asked the consolate employee about this term I've been told I'll be able to extend my visa once in China...is it true?
Is 30 days normal procedure or there's something wrong with my visa?
I mean 30 days is such a short term, will they really extend my visa for 5 month without complaining?
Otherwise I'd prefer to apply for a new visa (even if that should mean pay again :( )testifying 180 days (6 months)..
Looking forward your reply.
Thank you
_giorgio
Aug. 10,2009 21:57
Ms.Ashley replied:
It is right that duration of the double entry visa is 30 days each time.
You can apply for the extension of duration from the local public security bureau ehwn you are in China.
Aug. 10,2009 22:33
Mr.Roussell(France) replied:
Or you can turn to a visa agent to do a visa extension.
http://www.cn-visa.com/f_visa_extension.asp
Nov. 4,2009 22:47
Ms.jinky(philippines) replied:
hi,
Im a filipino and now im staying in Guangzhou china with an L visa im supposed to stay for 30 days but i found out that my ticket departs on the 18th of november which means i would be staying one day longer,is thta ok in the immigration??and my other plan is just to extend my visa to atleast 15-30 days,how much would that cost me?thanks
Nov. 5,2009 04:20
Mr.Benjamin replied:
I think you have to apply extension of duration in case of any unpredictable trouble when exiting China.
4.
Nov. 3,2009 22:28 Reply
Mrs.Mercy(Fuzhou) said:
I am Indonesian citizen with 2 girls,we are in Fuzhou as L visa expire until next year january.we going to let them study in Fuzhou next months, they are around 6-8 yrs old.can I just go to hongkong apply the student visa insteed go back to Indonesia for my children and how about me what kind the visa should I apply.I have to folow them if they study in here... thanks GBU...
Nov. 4,2009 02:08
Mr.Richard replied:
Please confirm this with the Visa Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong SAR.
24 hour Automatic Answering Telephone: 852-34132300
Live Answering Telephone: 852-34132424 (available at 10:00-11:00, 15:00-16:00 on workdays)
Fax: 852-34132312
Email: fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn
5.
Nov. 2,2009 10:49 Reply
Mr.Steven(China) said:
Hello I am teaching in HuaYuan Hunan Province and my L Visa expires November 6th, I was considering going to Hong Kong to get a new Visa but it will be my third visa and I am afraid I will not be issued another. Is there any easier way to either extend my visa or get another one? Thank you.
Nov. 2,2009 22:40
Mr.Horace replied:
if you are working in China, you should apply for a China Z work visa actually.
Nov. 3,2009 06:51
Mr.Steven(China) replied:
What do I need to apply for the Z Visa? I have an invitation from my employer with their address and all of the information. What else do I need? I am an American Citizen.
6.
Oct. 28,2009 02:03 Reply
Mr.kevin(china) said:
i was given a 10 day visa to go back to my country but i didnt have the money and the ten days are over what should i do?
Oct. 28,2009 04:23
Mr.Chris replied:
You can contact your country's embassy in China for help.
7.
Oct. 17,2009 03:49 Reply
Mr.Anil said:
Anil(Ireland)
Hai, my brother visiting Ireland and the Visa stamped from the date 10-10-2009 to 10-01-2010 but the duration of stay is 10 days in the visa. He also wants to visit Italy with us for this he should stay in Ireland atleast 30days So how can he extend his duration of stay for 20 more days and where can we apply.
Please reply me anyone soon because he is here from yesterday. email id: brindasmith@gmx.com
Thanku
Sincerely
Anil
Oct. 17,2009 04:50
Mr.Sean replied:
I think he can extend the duration of stay in Ireland. he should contact the Ireland Embassy in China for help.
Oct. 25,2009 09:40
Mr.anil replied:
thanku very much
8.
Oct. 9,2009 04:04 Reply
Mr.Franklin(Nigerian) said:
Hi, Am from Nigeria I live here in Zhengzhou city Henan province am working in an automobile company with a working visa. My wife and my new born baby came to China to visit me with 60days L visa and it will expire on 20th of october 2009, i will like to extend their stay for more 3months because my baby is still 5months and i want them to stay around me a bit. What should i do?
Oct. 9,2009 04:27
Mr. Noah replied:
you should apply for the extension of stay from the Local Public Security Bureau.
9.
Sep. 28,2009 21:29 Reply
Mr.Grace(Philippines) said:
Can you extend the china tourist visa for philippine passport holder?
Sep. 28,2009 22:15
Mr.Brian replied:
China visa can't be extended once expired. I'm afraid you have to apply for a new visa.
10.
Sep. 28,2009 08:57 Reply
Mr.Ershadur rahman(Bangladesh) said:
Dear sir,
I am md ershadur rahman,I want go china to see the fair who has been organist in October. pleases advices me how can i get visa to go to china.
Sep. 28,2009 21:35
Mr.Austin replied:
Apply for it from the china embassy in Bangladesh.