F-visa kidnap

[adrianlondon]

I will be studying at BNU this semester; from September until January.

I applied for a 6-month multi-entry visa on the visa form but the embassy (in London) said that they only give single entry visas if the study period is 6 months or less. I guess I could have pushed for an X-visa but I didn't want the hassle of getting a medical nor registering with the local police.

So now I can't leave China for a quick break back to the UK. Not such a big deal but my original plan was to take a break after 3 months mainly to take backsome of the stuff I would have bought in China, and to pick up jumpers and coats etc. from the UK. Oh well. I've been kidnapped and have to stay in China for 6 months! Guess it'll stop me skiving my classes.

[roddy]

You should be able to get a re-entry stamp from the PSB - basically it allows you one out-and-in trip without invalidating your current visa. Costs around 300RMB, last I heard (which was ages ago, so check with the relevant authorities.) These are perhaps less commonly used now that residence permits double up as multi-entry visas, and there might have been changes I don't know about.

[adrianlondon]

Thanks - I did remember reading something about that on here. The reason I went for the F and not the X visa was so I didn't have to deal with the PSB in the first place

And it's another 300RMB. Not a large amount, I know, but even so. More red tape and money. It helps the world go around. Deep in an old newsletter on the BNu website it says

If you would like to go outside of mainland China within your study time (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan region), do remember to apply for the Re-entry visa before you leave. Please come to the International Student Office 10 days ahead to fill out the application form.

Being European and of the "yeah, right, that's what it says but let's just do it like this instead" mentality, I assumed I could ask politely for a multi-entry visa at the embassy and get one. Oh no.