Convert an F visa to a Z visa in Guangzhou without returning home

[Pengyou]

Is it possible to convert an F or L visa into a Z visit in Guangzhou without returning to the U.S. - or even going to Hong Kong would be acceptable.

[ChTTay]

You can go to Hong Kong for a new Z-visa then come back in. I am fairly sure you cannot "convert" your existing visa.

[liuzhou]

A Z-Visa is a short term visa allowing the holder to enter Mainland China to take up officially recognised employment. It must be changed to a residence permit within 30 days.

It would be bit illogical to give an entry visa to someone who has already entered. And we know the Chinese authorities are never illogical, don't we?

So, you have to leave to enter. Where you have to leave to seems to depend entirely on which PSB you are dealing with and whether the appropriate officer's wife had a headache the night before or whether his lunch was not to his satisfaction.

[anonymoose]

I converted an L-visa into a working residence permit in Shanghai, but that was about 6 years ago.

[liuzhou]

I converted an L-visa into a working residence permit in Shanghai, but that was about 6 years ago.

There have been several changes since then.

[Matty]

It might be a good idea to make sure the legal documentation requests that you apply for the visa in Hong Kong, it's been known to cause issues otherwise.