Lost job, have Chinese wife.

[senor boogie woogie]

Howdy!

I am an American living in Hangzhou, who has lived in China for almost eight years.

I am currently on a "Z visa", but no longer working at my place of employment. There was a falling out:tong and we parted company Dec. 31, 2008. I received a letter of seperation from the school both in English and in Chinese. This current visa does not expire until July 31(I have more or less 100 days left from this posting.)

I am married to a Chinese national and have been for the past seven years. I have decided that I would rather have a spousal L visa with her. I realize that people under this visa are not allowed to work, but I don't think that will be an issue.

First question, am I currently illegal? I have my visa and my residence permit. I would not worry at all if I just left the country, but I am worried that if I go to the Entry/Exit cops in July, they are going to ask me what I have been doing the past seven months.

What I have thought on doing is to go to Hong Kong, get a three month visa down there and then come back and get it extended here. There should be no questions about the "old" Z visa, just that I have a new L visa and I wish to get it extended in country to "visit relatives". My wife is not "native" to Hangzhou, but is from another city in the province. Would we have to go back there, or could we do it in Hangzhou?

Secondly, my wife owns a company, and I want to know what the rules are about getting an F visa, by saying that I am doing business with said company as a "consultant" or something along those lines.

I love living here and do not want to go back to the United States, especially now, but I am going to have to make a move soon and want to know what would be best in my situation.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Nervous Nellie.

[flameproof]

I have no idea, but.....

Secondly, my wife owns a company, and I want to know what the rules are about getting an F visa, by saying that I am doing business with said company as a "consultant" or something along those lines.

I think the F visa is designed for business visitors that visit China for business. But you are a resident. This would solve your problem only for a short while. Can't you get a Z visa with your wife's company?

PS: can you get again 3 Month visa in Hong Kong? Better check with FBT directly: http://www.fbt-chinavisa.com.hk/

[roddy]

Go along to the PSB and ask. I doubt you'll be in any kind of trouble - if anything they might be annoyed with the school for not letting them know you'd left. They should be able to issue you an L visa, but they might need to see your wife has registered as a temporary resident of the city.

[liuzhou]

Your Z-visa is irrelevant. It expired when you got your residence permit, which replaced it. Technically, the residence permit is tied to your place of employment when it was issued.

So, unfortunately, technically you are illegal.

However, it is rare for this to be enforced and I doubt very much that the border people would say anything. They won't know you have parted company with the employer.

I'd go the spousal L visa route.