Housing Permits and Resident Permits

[lalibela]

OK, is has just been a bit of a mess this whole week, running from one place to another to get everything sorted out without nowing a word of chinese. Today I paid for 6 months at the dorm, in order to get the "housing permit" (i don´t know if that is the appropriate name for that) one needs to apply for the residence permit for one year. Well, the really nice women at the dorm´s front desk just told me that they can only provide a housing permit for 6 months, cuz that is what I´ve paid. My problem is that I will need to pay 400 RMB for the residence permit and i don´t know if I have to pay the 400 again when I apply for an extension of this permit, or if it goes automatically (which I really doubt) once I´ve paid the whole rent at the dorm. I mean, is it so difficult to understand that I might be changing dorms and that it is therefore stupid to be paying for the whole year? or am I obliged to stay at the same dorm for the whole year if I want to get my residence permit for a year? or is it just me not understanding the chinese system????

Thanks for any reply!!

[Qcash3]

I am not sure if I completely understand your situation, so please forgive me if my answer is wrong. Are you worried that you won't be able to get a residency permit without a "housing permit?" Or is it the other way around? I think that with a residency permit, you can enter in your original address, and once you decide to move, change it within 30 days of your move.

Quentin

[lalibela]

Yeah, that is my problem, I am afraied I won't be able to get a residency permit without a "housing permit". Thank you for your reply!!! I´ll speak to the administration office tomorrow and see if they can help me with all this!!!

Thank you again!

[billiardsmike]

I only got a housing certificate for four months and had the same concern. I winged it and applied for residency permit anyway. I'm picking it up tomorrow and I'll let you know how it works out.

[lalibela]

Thanks billiardsmike!!!

[billiardsmike]

Just got back. Even though my housing certificate is only through November, the Residence Permit is valid through July 31st. I just need to worry about registering my new address if I move. I believe that would be minimal, if any, charge and can be done at any local police station.

What you get from the dorm is a housing certificate, saying you do live there currently. That will be given to the PSB as part of your Residence Permit application.