Matthewkell Posted July 23, 2015 at 03:05 PM Report Posted July 23, 2015 at 03:05 PM Hey, I can't seem to find any information about the process for this, every search I run only brings up results for the other way round, converting a student visa into a work visa. I'm currently teaching in China and I have been accepted to do a master's degree at a Chinese University. How easy is it to change the visa around? Would I have to take a trip to Hong Kong or is it a simple matter of turning up at the PSB with my admission letter and release letter? Quote
ChTTay Posted July 24, 2015 at 01:54 AM Report Posted July 24, 2015 at 01:54 AM I wanted to do this in 2013 (go from work to study) and it seemed possible. However, because I had already 'changed' visa within China once already (from tourist L to Work Z) I couldnt do it again. I had to go to HK and start from scratch. My current employer also presumed that I could change from 'study to work' because they had people in the past go from 'work to study'. I can't provide the details your looking for but it does at least seem possible just to change. At the PSB they have a 'questions' counter where you can go seek advice (in Beijing anyway) so I'd suggest going there. At the same time, why not contact your University about this? They will have dealt with a lot of different situations in the past. Quote
洋人丹 Posted July 24, 2015 at 03:33 AM Report Posted July 24, 2015 at 03:33 AM I don't know if this means anything, but... I am on a marriage permit (2 year residence permit). I went to the PSB in Hangzhou to ask if I had to leave to change to a student visa and they said no, that I could change it here. I remember reading something, and someone might have to confirm this, that changing from one kind of residence permit to another is usually not a huge issue. Work to Study, Marriage to Study, etc.. The only one that creates a problem is going from anything to a work visa. Someone else with more knowledge can confirm whether that is correct or not though. Quote
Angelina Posted July 24, 2015 at 05:15 AM Report Posted July 24, 2015 at 05:15 AM There is a difference between visas and residence permits. Quote
洋人丹 Posted July 24, 2015 at 07:23 AM Report Posted July 24, 2015 at 07:23 AM But when the OP says "works visa" he does mean "residence permit for work" doesn't he? Any work visa gets changed to a residence permit just like any student visa does. Quote
Matthewkell Posted July 24, 2015 at 08:02 AM Author Report Posted July 24, 2015 at 08:02 AM Thanks for your responses everyone. That's right, by work visa I mean residency permit for work. So it does seem hopeful, from what you've said... I have a friend who used to work at the British consulate in Chongqing and he said he was 90% sure that I'd have to go to Hong Kong, but I guess he probably got more enquiries from people wanting to change tourist visas to work visas or student visas to work visas which seems to be a far more common scenario. Anyway the University has been a little vague on this, the guy from the international admissions office says it's the responsibility of another teacher and I got the impression that he didn't actually know for certain but was avoiding saying that outright. He suggested I come visit the school and they can help me with all the paperwork, and then I can try the PSB. I guess that'll be my next step, still got a fair bit of time to work this out. Quote
Pengyou Posted July 25, 2015 at 03:30 PM Report Posted July 25, 2015 at 03:30 PM A question of clarification here: If you have a work visa already do you need a letter of release from your employer to get a student visa? I know it is necessary to change jobs. Quote
Matthewkell Posted July 25, 2015 at 11:54 PM Author Report Posted July 25, 2015 at 11:54 PM My guess is you need a release letter so as to prove that you aren't working and studying at the same time. I'm not 100% sure, but it's safer to assume I'll need one at any rate... Quote
Pengyou Posted July 26, 2015 at 10:36 AM Report Posted July 26, 2015 at 10:36 AM OK, but when you change your status, I think your residence permit will be cancelled (from the work visa) to a new residence permit based on your student visa...at least, that was the way it used to be - but that was almost 10 years ago. Has it changed? Sorry if I am hijacking this thread but it seemed to add to the topic. Quote
Matthewkell Posted July 26, 2015 at 01:31 PM Author Report Posted July 26, 2015 at 01:31 PM Yes, I believe that is still the case, when you quit your job your residency permit should be cancelled if your employer is legit, however it can then be converted to a 30 day humanitarian visa. Whether the humanitarian visa can be converted to a student visa is a different story though, I suspect no.... Quote
catherineak Posted July 28, 2015 at 02:54 AM Report Posted July 28, 2015 at 02:54 AM For working visa different city different way to get the resident permit to working ,some of city can finished in hk ,but for some of other city need go back to your own country to finished working visa. denpend on where your company located,and also depend on local police station rules about working visa. Quote
Matthewkell Posted July 28, 2015 at 12:48 PM Author Report Posted July 28, 2015 at 12:48 PM Turns out, in Chongqing at least, I can get it all sorted here without needing to go to Hong Kong. A little disappointed actually, I was started to look forward to my trip! Maybe I will go anyway. Quote
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