Changing Type of Visa

[Diamond]

Hi all

Does anyone know if you can change your Z visa (working visa) to an L visa (tourist visa) without leaving the country. Many people do it the other way around travel then work but I have been working and am considering studying in the future and due to finances would rather have the opportunity to change the visa type without having to leave and re-enter the country.

Prospective schools have informed me that once I have the L visa they then will change it to the correct student visa which I believe is the X visa.

Would anyone happen to have any insight into this as all the Z, X, L visa business is mind boggling at times.

Thank you

Diamond

[Rick in China]

I’ve went from Z to L – it wasn’t a problem. You can only extend a limited amount of times before having to leave (ie. HK F visa :D) I think it’s 3 months for the first, then maximum 2 1 month extensions.

I had to change visas for a different reason, more of a ‘forced’ reason due to my court situation before..but I imagine it’s doable for anyone. Best thing to do to make sure is go down to the visa office @ TianFu Square before you actually need to renew and verify though, so you don’t get a surprise.

[Edward]

I changed a Z to a L. It was in Shanghai though but I dont see why Chengdu should be any different. They only gave me a 1 month L visa and it couldn’t be extended so I had to leave the country after that.

[Author]

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