L Visa is almost up, need assistance!

[brockli]

I'm a American citizen on a 60day L Visa. I originally came for the funeral of my grandparents, however my situation and outlook have changed. I'm currently in Beijing looking for work but still confused by the process to be allowed to stay in China longer.

I've asked around but it seems to be more confusing each time I speak to a new person. Some have said that in order for me to work and stay in Chin, I need to first have a job offer in contract, bring it back to the Los Angeles Chinese Counsulate, apply for a working Z visa, then be allowed back into China.

Another person said that I just need a Employer who can "sponsor" me and bring some forms to a local police office who then send out my application for a new Z Visa. Actually working for the sponsored company is not required, but they were not sure if the employer could be any run-of-the-mill business or some sort of certified foreign hiring company.

I've read a little on applying for some sort of resident permit but not sure if it applies to me since I do not plan on leaving and visiting China multiple times.

I'm open to all suggestions and details of the required process and will appreciate any feedback.

TL:DR American on L Visa who hopes to find work in China but limited by the time left on Visa and do not understand the process. Help.

[fanglu]

To be allowed to work in China legally you need a work (Z) visa.

To get a work visa you need an employer to 'sponsor' you. That is, they get a permission to work form (外国人就业许可证) and a 'visa notification' (被授权单位签证通知表) for you. You then use those two documents to apply for a work visa.

Generally a company needs to satisfy certain criteria to be able to hire foreigners (and thus get those documents) but the rules may vary. Have the company looking to hire you ask at the local foreign affairs office.

Once you have the documents you may be able to apply for the visa in China, or you may have to leave and apply elsewhere, eg in Hong Kong. The latter is more likely I think, but others can probably answer that.

Edit: The bottom line is you can't get a work visa and then look for a job, you need a job first, and moreover a job that satisfies whatever the Government regulations are for hiring foreigners.

[brockli]

Thanks, that answers my main question.

So what if my time runs out on the (L)Visa and I still haven't found a job? Lets say they don't give me an extension. Do I have to go back to the States and apply for a whole new L Visa? Can I also do this by going to Hong Kong, or another close Asian country and apply for a new Visa?

[889]

If you want another short-stay L visa, you should be able to get one in Hong Kong.

However, if you apply for an L visa in the US, you should be able to get a one-year multiple-entry L visa permitting a stay of 60 days each time (perhaps 90, if you're lucky, 30 if you're not). You can apply for this by heading back to the US. You can also apply for it by sending your passport back to a friend or a visa agency in the US while you're still overseas. But if you go the send-it-back route, you have to do so outside of Mainland China, that is, you have to be in Hong Kong or some other place outside Mainland China where you can sit for two weeks while your passport's in transit.

[jbradfor]

Quick question: did you get a single-entry visa or a multiple entry? [Just hoping.....]

[889]

Yes, take a close look at the visa you hold now. Is there an M (for "multiple") on the Entries line? Americans should get a one-year multiple-entry L visa these days as a matter of course, though at some consulates you may have to specifically ask for it.

[brockli]

Yup, mine's a multiple entry. What does this mean for me? And 889, how long exactly is the short-term L Visa that's available in HK?

[jbradfor]

Problem solved! [At least for a while.....]

Your visa allows you to enter China as often as you like until the expiration date listed on your visa. EACH time you enter you can stay for up to 60 days. Note that the expiration date lists the last day you can enter, you can stay for 60 days after that.

So, "all" you need to do is to leave China and re-enter. Pick a country nearby that you want to visit that doesn't require a visa for US citizens (e.g. Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore), and head there for vacation for a bit. You'll need to do this every 60 days.

[889]

And there's no minimum stay required outside Mainland China; you can enter Hong Kong then head right back to the Mainland and get another 60-day stay.

[brockli]

Wow this is amazing news. Seems like all I need to do is take a train to Macao, ride a boat to HK. Get my Visa stamped for departure, ride the boat back to mainland, stamped for arrival, and it automatically renews my visa for 60 days each time for the next 10 months. Is this correct?

Thank you both for the amazing amount of resourceful information and IMMEDIATE replies. I hope this post serves others who are in similar situations as I.

[roddy]

No need to go to HK *and* Macau, one will do. Basically you just need to step onto foreign soil - and for visa purposes HK and Macau both count - once every 60 days (or whatever your length of stay on your visa is). Hong Kong is the most common choice, but there's no reason you couldn't go to Korea, Mongolia, Japan, or anywhere else on the planet.

Quick edit: Check now to see how long it's valid for - one year would be usual in your case, but it pays to not mess these things up.

[jbradfor]

Thank you both for the amazing amount of resourceful information and IMMEDIATE replies.

Welcome. You're not the first person to be confused by this. Visas are confusing in the best of situations; I'm guessing your departure was both rushed and distracted learning the ins and outs of visas wasn't high on your list.

And there's no minimum stay required outside Mainland China; you can enter Hong Kong then head right back to the Mainland and get another 60-day stay.

True. But since you're there....