F-Visa Question, BNU related questions

[weilian]

I'm studying in Beijing now, and due to visa complications, have decided to study at BNU in the fall. I have one pressing question that is becoming more common here: Must I return to the United States to obtain my F-Visa? Due to increasing flight prices, I had intended to spend the month of August in Thailand, visiting the consulate there.

Second, BNU hasn't given me a list of classes they offer and their website is less than clear. I've been studying for about four months in an intensive one-on-one program. I've studied through NPCR 1, 2 and 3 and Boya Book I and II. If there isn't a list of classes out there, what sort of level might I be placed in? How is their placement test?

司马威

[adrianlondon]

The placement test consists of multiple choice questions, which are largely ignored it seems, and then a short interview. They usually place you in a level too high, which is good.

Once classes start you have two weeks in which you can change levels. Changing down is easy; you just do it and notify the admin office. Changing up theoretically involves you being re-interviewed but in reality you can just do it as well.

Be careful not to scribble in the textbooks you buy for the first week or so, as if you change levels you can swap all your textbooks if their condition is OK.

As for the visa ... call the Chinese embassy in Thailand as everywhere seems to be different. You may need to prove you're living there, so if you can get a non-hotel address you might convince them.

I don't know much about the visa situation, but you may be OK. The rules between changing L -> F are different than those between F -> L. Do a search.

It seems China want the Olympics to be watched by chinese only as they worry the foreigners won't do the official thumbs-up, clap and wave thing you're meant to do after each competition ;)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7438367.stm

http://www.danwei.org/featured_video/the_official_olympic_cheer.php

The issue is China wants foreign students out of Beijing during the Olympics. They can block coverage of small-scale Chinese protests, but if foreign students join in, then it'll get reported. And they're paranoid.

[self-taught-mba]

1) thanks to OP for great thread title. Very impressive for a newbie to be so specific. Welcome.

2)

As for the visa ... call the Chinese embassy in Thailand as everywhere seems to be different. You may need to prove you're living there, so if you can get a non-hotel address you might convince them.

Don't know I think the exit stamp less than a month old will betray your story.

Historically, F>to>L not easy. Chines L visa >>to>>F easy. Also L's have been auto-extendable by one month whereas F needs new proof and /or agent.

--typed

[adrianlondon]

think the exit stamp less than a month old will betray your story

In which case, it'll be the same problem in the US

The fact you went to China, and then "came home to Thailand" to get another visa won't be an issue. Proving to the embassy that you do indeed live (generally - holidays in China notwithstanding) in Thailand is the hard part.

[self-taught-mba]

Proving to the embassy that you do indeed live (generally - holidays in China notwithstanding) in Thailand is the hard part.

Especially with no previous entry/exit stamps from Thailand.