A Visa to be in China a few months.

[inwestend]

So, what's the loophole that allows me to visit China for more than 30 days at a time?  I don't want to work or study in China, as we're talking about loop holes, I suppose Z or X Visas are options - but they're not ideal.

 

A. Tourist Visas.

1. How long can I stay on a Tourist Visa?  I like this option, as it's really not a loop-hole, it's my actual purpose in China.  Also, last time I got a tourist visa in China Mai, they offered me a two-entry visa.

2. Does this mean I can extend each visit, by a further 30 days?  (probably in Leshan)  30 + 30 + border run + 30 + 30 = 120 days?

3. Sometimes people tell me that visas are easier in Hong Kong.  But is this still true?  They tell me if I stay in Hong Kong a night or two, visas are much more lenient there.

B. Business Visas.

I don't wish to "work" in China.  I am friendly with a company in Shanghai, and we've spoken about them helping me apply for a "Business Visa" so I could advise them from time to time.  I don't see this as taking too much time, and I can't be bothered to charge for it.  I don't ACTUALLY want to do business in China - my purpose is just to spend time in China.  So this IS a loop-hole.

1. Could this be a non-commercial F Visa, or is it easier to get an M Visa?

2. How much time would this allow me to spend in China?

3. Would I need to restrict myself mostly to the locality of the company (Shanghai)?

4. I've heard a lot of people talking about applying from their "Home Country".  It is expensive to fly to my Home Country (The UK).  I'd much rather apply in Chiang Mai.  Is this possible?  Or do I have to fly back to the UK to get a business visa?

Anyone got any advice?

[anonymoose]

I managed to get a tourist visa with 90-day validity before. Not sure how easy that is in general, but I just stated on the application that I would be in China for more than 30 days and got it no questions asked. That was a few years ago, though.

[inwestend]

It depends how long ago that was.  In 2013, everything changed drastically.  Are the 90 day visas still available?  (that allow 90 stay - not just a long validity).

[889]

As you've just pointed out, the situation is always changing, and any one person's experience won't provide you much assurance as to what your experience will be. Myself, I'd suggest you contact a visa agency or two in HK and ask them about current "business" visa requirements and length of stay. But if you want an answer, just ask a simple question or two; don't send them a laundry list of questions.

As to extensions, the current rule is that your total extensions cannot exceed the initial period of stay on your visa. So with an initial 30-day stay, for example, you could get one 30-day extension. Whether this rule is always applied is not clear, but you should assume it will be for planning purposes.

Note that extensions on a "business" visa are usually more cumbersome than extensions on a "tourist" visa because you're likely to be asked for some documents from your sponsor when you extend a "business" visa.

[Silent]

Rules change and to be honest I don't really know what the rules are since the big changes of 2013.

 

A good approach might be to contact the chinese embassy or a visa agent, explain what you want and see what they have to offer. Many countries have apart from the published standard rules the possibility to give visa for different time frames. Sometimes it's standard available and just a matter of asking, sometimes it's based on the discretion of the embassador, visa processing officer etc. A good story why you want to stay longer and prove of funds to support yourself can go a long way.

 

I think there are plenty of loopholes if you're willing to do what's needed. But how much time, energy and money are you willing to spend? I'ld say if you have contacts a business visa may be worthwhile. Also a student visa might be an option if you can make a deal with a language school.

[inwestend]

@889.  I did not point out that the situation is always changing.  In the years that I've been going to China, I've known of just TWO big changes.  During the Olympics, in 2008, and the major restructuring of visas in 2013.

 

But your suggestion to approach Visa agents in Hong Kong is good - and I'll do that.

 

However, the reason I asked the question HERE - was that I was trying to tap into people's more specific recent experience.  Possibly, I'm asking in the wrong place.

I was hoping for replies like: "I went to XX visa agent, and he arranged a visa, that allowed me to stay in China for YY, and it cost about ZZ (I recommend XX visa agent)".... or a reply like: "Yes, I got a two entry tourist visa, and I extended both times and got 120 days (or whatever)".

@Silent: "A good story why you want to stay longer and prove of funds to support yourself can go a long way."... Does anyone have any actual specific experience of that?  I asked about that before on a visa forum, and someone quoted a figure of a million USD - to get residence in China.  I've no idea where they got this value from (I think it was just off the top of their head), and (right now) it's beyond my means anyway.  Years ago, I got four years temporary residence in Australia, and I had to prove assets of just AU$250,000.  - Does anyone have any specific advice where proof of funds can ensure a long stay in China?

@Silent: I probably DON'T want to put a lot of time or effort in.  So, the L or Z Visas are my last resort - as I don't want to have to work, or study, just to get a visa.  I have looked into part-time (automatic Z-Visa!!!) teaching jobs (teaching Maths, Physics, Computer Science, etc)... ok as a hobby-job for an hour a day, or less - but the hours are always more demanding than that - so I'm not interested.

[Silent]

 

I asked about that before on a visa forum, and someone quoted a figure of a million USD - to get residence in China.

Don't know or the million USD is correct, but China, as many countries do, has an option to make a substantial direct investment and to a get residence permit in return. Basically it means start a business and/or employ people.

 

I understand you want a direct answer, but I think most people here visit China on short vacations or are in China for work/study. Long term travel is quite rare though the question for longer stays pops up every once in a while. I guess for direct personal experiences on longer term travel a travel board like lp's thorntree may be more suitable. Nevertheless, I'ld urge to contact the embassy/visa agent and just ask if they say it's no problem you have no reason to worry.

 

A quick glance on some official information doesn't give me specifics about what is allowed, but suggests longer stays are still possible on a tourist visa. The application form definitely allows to choose tourist visa and a year multiple entry visa and it also asks for the longest stay in the country. I guess ticking tourist, year multiple entry and writing longest stay of 360 days is pushing it, but a longest stay of 3 months doesn't sound that unreasonable to me. Maybe 4 of 5 months longest stay would be acceptable too. In the past dual entry 3 month per stay was no problem at all, so why should a three month stay be a big issue now?

[Simon_CH]

Depending on your country of residence a business visa is actually a fairly simple and straight-forward way to get a visa. It helps if your business link to that company is credible and if they know how to write a good invitation letter. 

 

Remember that a business visa is to do business (i.e. meetings, negotiations, business development etc etc) with the inviting party, not to work. There is no need for you to stay in Shanghai, or to prove that you will spend any time at the company's office. 

 

Apply for a 60 day multiple entry Visa, with the expectation to set up a business relationship between your employer and the inviting company, assuming that you have a steady job and a credible role at the company to go to China for business. 

[abcdefg]

To the original poster -- I've done what you are trying to do, but am American, not British. Since such things are country-specific, pretty sure my experience won't be that helpful to you.

 

In the fall of 2013 I applied for and got a 1-year tourist visa with multiple entries, each entry having a duration of 90 days. This wasn't in order to exploit a loophole, I actually did lots of China travel that year.

 

In the US it all changed at the end of 2014. When I renewed my visa this past December (2014) they gave me a 10 year visa, multiple entries, but each one only good for 60 days. My application was handled by an agent, the same one I have used before.

[inwestend]

@abcdef:   I'm really envious of those 10-year tourist visas granted to the Americans.

 

@simon_CH:  The company I'm dealing with is credible, and it has good connections to the Communist Party.  I've spoken to them further about helping me out with a visa, and they're still keen.  The question is whether this should be an F or M Visa?  As I said, I don't want to spend too much of my time actually working - it's not my purpose in China.  So an F-Visa "scientific, educational, cultural" exchange is relevant.

Is the F-Visa easier to get than an M-Visa?  You mentioned 60 days.  I assume this was an M-Visa.  Can an F-Visa be obtained (in practice) that has more days per visit?

[Simon_CH]

@inwestend: Yes, I am talking about a M (business) Visa, which was previously a F Visa, something I tend to forget at times....

I have no idea how hard it is to get a F-Visa, but business Visas are very straight-forward and almost easier to get than tourist Visas. No itinerary, no list of places you plan to visit, just a decent invitation letter.

 

I have a 2 year multiple entry 90 days business Visa, though I may have to convert that to a Z Visa at some point.