SirDude Posted March 6, 2011 at 08:54 PM Report Posted March 6, 2011 at 08:54 PM Hi Everyone, I'm having a problem understanding the Visa process. I am currently enrolled at a US college, but take my classes online, so I want to go live in China for one year to be closer to my girlfriend and better my Mandarin / culture skills. I had a visit to the Consulate of China in Chicago, IL the other day and the lady wouldn't tell me which Visa I need until I could tell her what I wanted to do. haha I tried to explain to her that I want to rent an apartment in Guangzhou for one year, but I am not coming to China to study or work. Does anyone have advice on which type of Visa I need to accomplish this? Thank you and have a wonderful day! SirDude Quote
889 Posted March 6, 2011 at 09:10 PM Report Posted March 6, 2011 at 09:10 PM As an American, you should be able to get a one-year multiple-entry "L" (tourist) visa, permitting a stay on each visit of 60 or perhaps 90 days, if you're lucky (and 30 days if you're not). Since you'll be in Guangzhou, you'll find it easy to hop down to Hong Kong every two months or so, exit Mainland China then re-enter and get a new 60-day (or whatever) stay on your visa. Don't even bother to apply for a visa permitting a 12-month uninterrupted stay. You're not going to get one. In any event, you might have difficulty if you start giving a long, detailed explanation of your plans when you apply for your visa. Keep it simple. 1 Quote
gougou Posted March 7, 2011 at 02:34 AM Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 02:34 AM If you're planning to work on your language anyway (and assuming that's not the degree you're already enrolled in), you could sign up for a language course somewhere, which would give you an X visa allowing uninterrupted stay. Quote
889 Posted March 7, 2011 at 03:02 AM Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 03:02 AM But if you're enrolling in a school only to get sponsorship for a visa, it'll cost far more all-in than simply getting an "L" visa and hopping down to HK when needed. Quote
SirDude Posted March 7, 2011 at 05:24 AM Author Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 05:24 AM Thank you everyone for the information. I am majoring in International Business. The US University I am going to transfer to (after finishing my AA degree) uses the Confucius Institute (both here in the US and the schools in China) for the Chinese Culture and Mandarin lessons. However, I won't be attending the C.I. for at least a year. Too much on my schedule as is. So getting a student visa is out of the question for now. The HK solution sounds simple enough and my girlfriend is already talking about weekend get-aways! haha The only question that comes to mind now, is, do I need to apply for some kind of Visa to enter HK every 30, 60, or 90 days? And can I apply for it from the US or do I need to do it once I am in China? Thank you again for all the help! Have a great day! SirDude Quote
yonglin Posted March 7, 2011 at 05:35 AM Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 05:35 AM ...do I need to apply for some kind of Visa to enter HK every 30, 60, or 90 days? Not if you hold a US passport (also, HK immigration officers are about the least confrontational I have every encountered!). I recall Chinese visa fees being quite steep for US citizens though, so you may want to check on that. Re the student visa, I think gougou meant that you could just take a language course. This has nothing to do with what you do at school at home. Quote
889 Posted March 7, 2011 at 06:31 AM Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 06:31 AM China visa fees are steep for Americans, but they're the same amount -- about US$140 -- whether you get a long- or short-term visa. So regardless of the length of stay, make sure you apply for and get a one-year multiple-entry visa in the U.S. If you apply in HK, you'll only get a short-term visa for your US$140. Quote
skylee Posted March 7, 2011 at 12:38 PM Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 12:38 PM China visa fees are steep for Americans, but they're the same amount -- about US$140 -- whether you get a long- or short-term visa. The amount is also the same as that charged for a US visa for Chinese. Quote
jbradfor Posted March 7, 2011 at 08:36 PM Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 08:36 PM In any event, you might have difficulty if you start giving a long, detailed explanation of your plans when you apply for your visa. Keep it simple. What would you recommend for the reason? Chinese language self-study and travel? Quote
889 Posted March 7, 2011 at 09:08 PM Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 09:08 PM Sounds to me like he's taking a tourist trip to China. Babbling on about studying Chinese, the girlfriend, the plan to stay a year, etc., etc., is just asking for trouble. Quote
fanglu Posted March 7, 2011 at 09:57 PM Report Posted March 7, 2011 at 09:57 PM I agree with 889. Also, the reason you want a multi-entry visa (if anyone asks) is so you can go to Hong Kong without having to reapply. Quote
SirDude Posted March 8, 2011 at 12:18 AM Author Report Posted March 8, 2011 at 12:18 AM Thanks for the info about entering HK. I'm happy to hear I don't need to do anymore paperwork. haha As for the Visa fee, yes, $140 USD. Quote
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