Change of all Chinese visa regulations on July 1st 2013?

[zhouhaochen]

According to a report by the British Embassy, Chinese authorities are planning to radically change Chinese visa regulations on the 1st of July 2013. What exactly will happen, if it will happen at all, how it will be implemented, and when is of course not known to anyone.

We are trying to talk to the authorities and collect information and put the updates on our Chinese visa site

So far except that one report from the British Embassy we have not found any further information regarding this. We spoke to the 中国的出入境管理局 today and they said they have not heard of anything.

So not to freak out, it might all not be that way, but good to know better early than late. If anyone has any further information or websites we missed, please post here for everyone.

[fanglu]

Some articles I posted here last year mentioned a review of visa policies in 2013, so I guess this would be it.

[zhouhaochen]

It would be a pretty drastic change, with almost none of the visas most people are in China with currently available anymore and new ones that nobody understands instead.

[roddy]

I'm not sure that it's such a drastic change. L visa is presumably the most common and that's still there - although new rules on renewals may make a difference. The split of F visas into commercial and non-commercial activity makes sense (lets face it, F visas have been massively abused). A shorter term work visa, the Z2 makes sense for, eg, short term consultants, summer school teachers, interns. What's interesting is the X2 for short term study - private Chinese schools will be interested to see how that works, I suspect.

[icebear]

I also don't think it's a drastic change to be worried about. If they actually implement some of the proposed new visa types it will be a gain for professionals working in China legitimately. As always, its about how it is implemented. As of last week there still have been no implementing measures issued by the PSB and Labor Bureaus, only the draft law by the Exit-Entry Bureau (which isn't responsible for enforcement).

Anything until the implementing measures are released both those two authorities is pure speculation.

[roddy]

In my happy little dream world, the R1 highly-skilled specialist will only require an invitation from a Chinese company, not a full employment contract, and will be suitable for the self-employed and freelancers among us.

Any thoughts on Q visas? I reckon those'll come with special checks on whether you hold a Chinese passport still, and are still on a hukou anywhere.

[zhouhaochen]

We went to the 中国的出入境管理局 yesterday and there the lady at the counter confirmed that she has heard that there will be changes on the 1st of July, but that they have not been given any instructions on what they will look like and how to implement them.

I truly hope they continue to issue the old visa types for a grace period until the new system is in place, as the implementation of this in Beijing and across embassies around the world is definitely going to be one huge mess.

If anyone wants a Chinese visa, I suggest to try to apply before the 1st of July.

[roddy]

So, what's happening...

[Don_Horhe]

According to this, which slightly differs from the British Embassy report, the number of visas changes from 8 to 12 - F will split into F and M, L will split into L and Q, and two new types - S and R - will be introduced.

F - noncommercial visit

M - commercial/trade visit

L - tourism

Q - reunion/family visit

S - visiting foreign nationals employed or studying in China

R - highly skilled specialists

The remaining C, D, G, J, X and Z visas will remain essentially the same.

I'm not quite sure, though, how reliable of a source that website is.

[icebear]

The changes don't impact those renewing an existing residence permit - only new applications for new Z-visas.

[liuzhou]

There is more detailed information here.

[Brian US]

Possibly the worst time for my visa to expire July 31st. Link explaining criminal background checks now:

http://lawandborder....=2565#more-2565

If that is the case, then I should forget about applying for any kind of business visa (maybe "M") on short notice. Little worried how consulates will take a translated background check, let alone an "official translation"? Have fun with translating any documents from a court house and/or police station in Kalamazoo Michigan.

[xuefang]

In my happy little dream world, the R1 highly-skilled specialist will only require an invitation from a Chinese company, not a full employment contract, and will be suitable for the self-employed and freelancers among us.

Roddy, on what kind of visas freelancers, self-emloyed, those who opened a company in HK, have been until now? Or have there been any visa for people like us? I'm still on a student visa for the next 6 months, but have to find something else next year.

[zhouhaochen]

@Brian: How is the visa renewal going? I rushed to have mine done and just got it last week extended, thank God. I imagine it will all be possible, but would be good to hear from someone who actually did it, as opposed to some website that heared from some other website, that read somewhere on the internet...

[Saxondale]

what is this all about? http://blog.cucas.edu.cn/cucas-news/new-law-ensure-international-students-work-study-in-china/

does anyone have more information about this?

[Angelina]

This is the official English version of the Law

http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n84147/n84196/3837042.html

　　Article 42 The competent department of human resources and social security and the competent department in charge of foreign experts affairs under the State Council shall, in conjunction with relevant departments under the State Council, formulate and regularly adjust the guiding catalogue for foreigners working in China based on the needs for economic and social development as well as the supply and demand of human resources.

　　The competent department of education under the State Council shall, in conjunction with relevant departments under the State Council, establish an administrative system for foreign students working to support their study in China and set forth regulations on the scope of jobs and the limit of work time for such foreign students.

[shuoshuo]

"Work-study"- Now they've made it legal. Great news.

[ChTTay]

Reading the "law and border" website posted by Brian...

I currently live in China, then plan to go to HK to get my visa. Does this mean i'd need to supply them with a Chinese document from China saying I don't have an criminal convictions? Or one from my home country?

I have a scanned copy (original is in UK) from the UK saying I have no convictions.

I can report back here... Assuming im successful!

[Brian US]

@chttay

I'm pretty sure it's from your home country. China would of course be able to check for any criminal record you may (or may not) have in China.

@zhouhaochen

I'm applying when I go back to the US around July 14th. I will probably apply for a F visa, but I have concerns about the criminal background check. I just called my county courthouse in Michigan and since I don't have a record, there is nothing to print off. I even explained the situation for needing such a document, but was repeatedly told there is nothing that can be done. I understand the FBI does a criminal background check and gives a report even if nothing comes up, but that involves mailing in your fingerprints. I'm just hoping that since these new changes just went into effect and the Chicago consulate hasn't updated their application forms I can just get by this time without it?

[Kanjiology]

@Brian

Try asking your local police department. One of the requirements to take Chinese classes here at Tianjin was a criminal record check, so while I was still in the States at the time I went to my city police department and got a notarized criminal record check the next day all for $15, no fingerprints required. I'm from Florida, so I don't know how different it is from Michigan.

I am a student now and since I got the CSC scholarship I went down to the PSB here in Tianjin to get a new visa done. Everything went pretty smoothly.