Business (F) Visa Question

[consultant2b]

Hi,

I have a Business visa (F) with Multiple entries that was issued on 4th Jul 2011, and the "enter before" date on the visa is 04th Jan 2012, now when I applies for the visa, I choose the option that read "6 Month Multiple Entry F Visa". If I look at the dates on this visa, technically between 4th Jul 2010 and 4th Jan 2012 we have 6 Months, however, the "enter before" date suggests that I can enter up to the 4th of July, so lets say I enter on the 3rd of July and am here till 30 days after 4th of July (as the maximum duriation of each stay is 30 days) would that be legal? or would that be illegal.

In other words, is the the "enter before" date literally the last date before which you can enter and you have 30 days from then, or is it more an expiry day, and if I a in china on the 5th Jan, that would be illegal?

Thanks for any advice

[jbradfor]

You can enter on the day of your visa expiration (here, 04 Jan 2012), and stay the length of the stay duration (here, 30 days).

Not recommended to push it that close, however, in case your plane is delayed, etc.

[roddy]

I'd play it a day safer - it's enter before, remember. But yes, you can stay past the enter before date. Basically it means what it says, there's no catch.