Applying for a new Visa 2 months before expiration?

[mackie1402]

Hello.

 

Sorry for the title name, I'm not too sure how to name this question.

 

I am currently studying and have a students resident permit. That will expire at the end of April 2015. I have to go back to the UK during Chinese New Year for family reasons, but this is just a couple of months before my visa expires. While I am in the UK I am planning to apply for a new visa. I will be marrying my Chinese fiancee later in the year so am hoping to apply for a 6-month/1 year S1 Visa (I read this to be "Other private affairs exceeding 180 days).

 

Can I apply for this visa in February whilst I am back home even although I still have a residence permit until the end of April?

If I apply for a new visa whilst I still have a residence permit, if the new visa is denied, will I still be able to return to China until the end of April, or will it mean my current visa will be stopped too?

Finally, is this even the right visa if I am planning to marry my Chinese fiancee this year (have to meet family, friends, prepare etc).

 

I am aware that getting a visa during Chinese New Year will take longer but I plan to work out the days needed, so that shouldnt be an issue.

 

Regards

 

 

[MarsBlackman]

I unfortunately can't answer all of your questions. However, I've applied for new visas in the past before the previous visa' expiration. They simple stamp the old visa with a red stamp saying "canceled". 

 

For what its worth, I doubt they would cancel your old visa and residence permit if your new visa application is denied. They only stamp "canceled" to ensure you're only traveling on a single visa once the new one is issued.

 

While these forums are great for people's personal experience and vast knowledge, I would also contact the UK embassy/consulate in China before you go home. 

[catherineak]

Can I apply for this visa in February whilst I am back home even although I still have a residence permit until the end of April?

 

Now as far as we know that 6 months china visa have been stopped in china,so if you want to apply for 6 months or S1 visa in your own country ,advice go to your hometown chinese embaasy to get the right information.

 

If I apply for a new visa whilst I still have a residence permit, if the new visa is denied, will I still be able to return to China until the end of April, or will it mean my current visa will be stopped too?

 

If the new visa is refused ,is denied,then your current visa student visa if not expired ,then your current student visa can still use it enter into china.

 

Finally, is this even the right visa if I am planning to marry my Chinese fiancee this year (have to meet family, friends, prepare etc).

 

As far as we know ,because we deal with different country of foreingers ,in our experience,if you have been already married with chinese,then you can do Q2 for 2 years visa ,or also have 6 months Q2 visa ,in hk to do it ,And also for your own country can finished one year china visa business visa in china ,without leave china finished one year for you,I think that this two visa type will be suitable for you.

For china visa service if you needed,Please make sure to arrange your visa things before one month,so that to arrange for your visa in china or your own country.

Hope this information will be helpful for you.thanks 

[hedwards]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the processing time on visas can be rather long. I know the Z visas take about 2 months typically, not sure if other visas take that long, but I would recommend assuming that the bureaucracy is going to take longer than you'd expect.