New Members DefeatMeNot Posted November 30, 2011 at 01:53 PM New Members Report Posted November 30, 2011 at 01:53 PM Hello everyone, next year August I am going to China for exchange but before that I was hoping to do a 6 week - one month work placement there as well. My employer would provide me with invitation letter to apply for a Business class F visa and it would run out after my service is done. My issue is that my university in China will also provide me with an invitation letter in which I can then apply for a visa. I am told they will arrive in mid-late July. If I received my student and work visa in July and went to work first, am I allowed to have both visas? I haven't travelled anywhere since I was a child and the first place I travelled to as an adult didn't need a visa. I e-mailed the Chinese embassy in Britain but they said they don't know about China's visa requirements. Thanks for the help. Quote
Lu Brian Posted December 1, 2011 at 12:22 AM Report Posted December 1, 2011 at 12:22 AM Hello, Nope. I'm afraid not. You can only have one type visa at one time. And please pay attention that F-visa can't be changed to L-visa/ X-visa directly in China. You need to to leave China to get another L/X -visa after F-visa. L-visa for traveler X-visa for student Quote
New Members DefeatMeNot Posted December 2, 2011 at 12:57 PM Author New Members Report Posted December 2, 2011 at 12:57 PM Yes, I am aware I can't exchange them. I would be getting two different invitation letters but I found out that it's impossible. Sigh. My first job interview ever and I have to reject it. So depressing. Thank you for your help! Quote
jbradfor Posted December 6, 2011 at 06:44 PM Report Posted December 6, 2011 at 06:44 PM Others have stated (I have not done it) that you can change an L-visa into an F-visa without leaving China. So you could do your work placement on an L-visa and get it changed once your school starts. There is obviously a risk to that as well, as officially you are not allowed to do work on an L-visa. However, others have stated (I have not done it myself either) that the chances of being caught are pretty much zero, especially if you keep a low profile and are not paid. Just a suggestion. Quote
Matty Posted December 17, 2011 at 10:45 PM Report Posted December 17, 2011 at 10:45 PM You should just be able to change from one F-Visa to another with some paperwork from your school. I've changed F-Visas a few times between schools (in Harbin). Quote
New Members DefeatMeNot Posted December 18, 2011 at 10:33 PM Author New Members Report Posted December 18, 2011 at 10:33 PM Thank you for the reply, would I need to leave the country for that because I wouldn't be able to afford it. In any case, I had to decline the work interview anyway. Quote
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