huaqiao06 Posted January 9, 2009 at 07:35 AM Report Posted January 9, 2009 at 07:35 AM I've just completed my university course in Beijing. If I want to travel China for several months after my x-visa (residence permit) expires, is the best solution to go to Hong Kong and apply fresh for an L visa? what sort of L visa am I likely to get, having previously been on an X? 2/3/6-months? multiple-entry? is there any chance of changing my residence permit to another visa type without leaving Beijing at all? appreciate any advice Quote
huaqiao06 Posted January 11, 2009 at 10:37 AM Author Report Posted January 11, 2009 at 10:37 AM anyone? Quote
huaqiao06 Posted January 15, 2009 at 07:22 AM Author Report Posted January 15, 2009 at 07:22 AM everyone else travelling too I guess... Quote
huaqiao06 Posted January 18, 2009 at 11:53 PM Author Report Posted January 18, 2009 at 11:53 PM one last try? Quote
gougou Posted January 19, 2009 at 12:03 AM Report Posted January 19, 2009 at 12:03 AM A friend of mine got a 6-month multiple F in Beijing, if I recall correctly through Traders Link. Last I heard those were still impossible to get in Hong Kong without a residence permit there. Quote
SuperGoose Posted January 20, 2009 at 03:47 AM Report Posted January 20, 2009 at 03:47 AM You can probably get an F visa in Beijing through Traders or Leeo. Prices are pretty steep still, probably around 3000rmb for a 6mo multi-entry. When does your X-visa expire? You may have some troubles because of the spring festival, businesses shut down, etc. If you can get it changed to an F-visa, that would be much cheaper than doing a visa run to HK, not to mention, depending on your citizenship, you might only get 2-3 months on an L visa. Not sure how easy it is to get F-visas down there right now. Quote
huaqiao06 Posted January 21, 2009 at 10:29 AM Author Report Posted January 21, 2009 at 10:29 AM Traders Link said that under current govt policy, X visas cannot be changed to other types without leaving China. The Leeos guy said he 'might' be able to get me an F after 5 February for 2500RMB. The chances seem to increase over time (after the holiday period). Problem is that my current visa expires 10 February and I have an apartment to unload (lease runs till April). For my nationality they're currently only granting single or double-entry 30-day L and F visas in Hong Kong, and the HK-based agents I've contacted have said they can't get more. Quote
roddy Posted January 21, 2009 at 10:46 AM Report Posted January 21, 2009 at 10:46 AM Hong Kong's not the only option - I got a 2*90 day stay L visa in Chiang Mai no questions asked about two months back - direct from the consulate, not an agency. Not fantastic, but better than what was available in Hong Kong, and cheap. 'Course, I was in Chiang Mai anyway. Quote
huaqiao06 Posted January 21, 2009 at 01:57 PM Author Report Posted January 21, 2009 at 01:57 PM will try the Chiangmai consulate and the embassy in Bangkok then. Are there direct flights Beijing-Chiangmai? Quote
roddy Posted January 21, 2009 at 02:15 PM Report Posted January 21, 2009 at 02:15 PM Beijing > Bangkok or Beijing > Kunming > Chiang Mai - (only two flights a week). I wrote up a little about this before, a search for 'chiang' will turn it up. Edit - here. Quote
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