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@Charlie, I’m picking up my L-Visa tomorrow. Yes. I was in Chengdu earlier this year – then I wasted time on the Business Visa Shanghai experience.
I’m planing for next year. Maybe if I visit the UK, I’d get a better deal applying for an L-Visa in my own country. Has anyone got an L-Visa in the UK lately? Is it possible to get a multiple-entry visa? 60 or even 90 days per entry?
I wouldn’t mind legitimately doing a Chinese course – maybe if it was one afternoon per week – stretched over 6 months – and eligible for a student visa.
@Squirrel suit,
Lots of countries have “bum” visas as you put it. In fact, a Chinese person in the UK, would be able to bum around there longer if they could show the means to support themselves. Many Asian countries will give you some kind of residency visa if you put some money in the bank. Between 2001 and 2004, I lived in Australia on a “bum” visa. (They called it a self-sponsored Independent Executive Visa). Last year, I got a six month “bum” visa for Taiwan, and it cost nothing.
China used to have a bum visa. The old F-Visa. In fact, under the F-Visa, you weren’t allowed to work – and that would have suited me just fine.
Earlier this year I tried a loop-hole that involved working in China, and it didn’t go to plan. I thought that I did a bit of work at a tech-company in Shanghai with an M-Visa – then I’d be able to stay in China longer, or get a multiple entry Visa. Unfortunately, I only got 1 entry 60 days. And by that time – It was all arranged to go to Shanghai. So, I spent two months there – earning money I didn’t need, at less than the rate I would earn in the West. – and I never got longer in China to “bum” around.
I’ve been in the same situation for a long time. I’d love to stay in Chengdu for longer than a tourist visa allows. (Though only in the warmer months – I don’t want to stay in the winter).
The ten year visa is only for Americans and Canadians. It seems like the Chinese Government don’t like the British. It’s impossible to get 60 day stay visas in the Asian region. 30 days is the maximum – though some cities in China allow you to extend.
I’ve also considered getting a job with as few hours as possible, or studying something. I even applied for a part-time maths teacher post I saw recently – but nobody got back to me. But actually – I’d rather find a visa solution that didn’t take up my time with work or study.
If anyone finds a visa solution – let me know.
@Lexibecks. I’m only in Chengdu for a couple more weeks – If I find a venue, I might run more regularly than once a week. But I’d like to join other runners sometimes. (I was exercising regularly before coming to Chengdu, and now I’ve lapsed, everything is in decline).
I looked at pandahash link. I’m deterred by the emphasis on drinking. Is this the (dubious) club that was featured on the Paul Merton series on China? (Not Chengdu, another city).
Last year, I was living in Taipei near a university running track. It was floodlit at night – and lots of people ran there. Is it the same deal here?
Or is there a running track at the Sichuan Gymnasium?
@Linea, I’ve sent you a message.
Can anyone suggest where are good places to go running? (I prefer not to run on the hard pavement). People have mentioned the University Running Track, or the Gymnasium. Is there a time in the evening when people run there? What is a good time to turn up?
@Amorto – When you’ve done this extension, can you report back? Let us know how it went. I also need to extend a visa – soon after yours.
Let us know about the documentation you needed – and any problems.
The biggest stumbling block is proof of funds. I have a Beijing account – but no way of getting a paper balance summary. I managed to persuade them to accept evidence from an outside-China account last time (in Suzhou).
Also, if anyone knows if Leshan is a still a better place to do Visa Extensions? – please speak up.
I’m surprised that people are talking about TWO extensions to a tourist visa. The rules changed a couple of years ago, at the same time they clamped down on F-Visas. Unless there has been a subsequent change that I’m not aware of – it is only one extension now. (And I thought it was 160RMB, not 116).
I have a question though…. People used to go to Leshan to do these. Less questions asked, more certainty of it being granted. Is that still the case? Are people still extending visas in Leshan?, or have the Chengdu office got more relaxed?
requirement #6 … Not Hakka homes.
I’ve checked them out before, and obviously to make a profit, and pay for advertising, staff, etc. they need to add a high margin to the actual price of a rental. So I’m posting here to reach someone subletting a room or apartment themselves.
My problem is that I haven’t been “resident” (ie. Residence Visa) anywhere since 2008. I’ve been rattling around Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, and China mostly on tourist visas – occasionally going back to the UK, but never for more than a few months.
What is the Chinese definition of “residence”? Would I need to get certificates in all the countries I frequent? – Or just the UK?
Hi. I’m a Geek too. I was going to write that I’m NOT looking for work here. HOWEVER – Given the Visa situation – I might be amenable to offers. I don’t need the money (and a Chinese salary is hardly worth it anyway), but I might consider arrangements that help me get a visa, and either involve me in a project that I find interesting – or doesn’t demand too much of my time.
I wonder if there are any consultancy firms in Chengdu/China? Who are looking for experts for occasional consultation? (And can get a Visa for me?).
I’m an Adobe Community Professional, a well-regarded expert and speaker at conferences, and my current areas of expertise include Android Native Development, iOS Native Development, and Cross-Platform development (Adobe AIR, PhoneGap, RhoMobile, Marmalade SDK, Marmalade Quick). Previously, I worked in Digital Signal Processing, Artificial Intelligence, Cybernetics, and on the telephony side of Mobile Devices – my Voice Activity Detection algorithm became part of the GSM standard. (and was manufactured into billions of devices).
My website: http://www.danielfreeman.asia
My blog: http://madskool.wordpress.comThanks for the info Charlie. Does she have to go to the PSB office mid-way through each 60 day stay? Or does her multiple entry Visa see her through the entire 60 days on each visit without extending?
I’m in the UK right now – So I might pick one up when I’m next in London. If I don’t have to do the Leshan trip, or deal with PSB officials – then that’s better than nothing.
I know that the one-year L-visas can be difficult to obtain in surrounding Asian countries. I inquired about getting one in Chiang Mai (Thailand), and they only issue the standard 30-day L-visas. If you get a tourist Visa in Kuala Lumpur, they make you attend an interview!
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I mentioned the R-Visa previously. I’m not sure if the age 40 limit was accurate information. I think the details of this R-visa are still being thrashed-out, and there’s a lot of speculation – so I’m keeping an eye on things. If I can get one of these – even just for 6 months – then that will solve all my problems.
90 day tourist visa? I thought that under the new rules, 30 day day tourist visa could only be extended ONCE = 60 days.
Can someone clarify the situation with tourist visas? Can they still be extended twice to allow 90 days? – or is there a 90 day version available from consulates?
How have people got on with back-to-back visas? Exit China, get a new L-visa and enter China again. I expect they get pretty suspicious?
8250RMB is expensive for a Visa. (Given that I’d have difficulty finding a course I’d want to attend). I found another option – the R visa. But I read somewhere that it’s only for the under 40s. (Can anyone confirm?). So it’s likely no good for me.
In all other respects – R Visa looks great. You just need postgraduate qualifications and expertise and experience (only 5 years) in your field.
I’d be interested in an answer to that too -> A school where classes are optional, or nobody is bothered whether you attend or not.
Alternatively, I might be swayed to do a legitimate course, and attend it, if the attendance hours were low, if it was interesting, and it left me with plenty of free time. So I’d like to discuss study options in Chengdu, and gain people’s insight, and experience of study here.
Somebody said if I taught English to get a visa, that might take up 10-15 hours a week. If I have to sacrifice my time to get a visa, I’d much rather spend the time doing something interesting. Is anyone doing any courses they’d recommend?, or know any good options like this?
(Ideally, Summer Programmes, or something I could do remotely in the Winter – because during a Chinese winter I might be inclined to fly to Thailand or Australia).
I suppose another option is that I do another Masters Degree – something project-based and self-directed that gives me free rein to develop something for my own interest. I’m not sure I have the dedication now that I had when I was younger. But does anyone have any leads I can follow to investigate that option?
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Finally, non-education related visa option. I’ve heard a few mentions of the permanent residency Visa. Or a non-emplotyment based residence certificate. This has a minimum validity of 180 days. 6 months is a PERFECT duration – if I spend the winter in warmer climates. But how do I get one of these to live in China during the Summer? What constitutes a valid reason to be issued this – if I’m not working in China?
What is the “six month permanent residence visa”? (Excuse my ignorance, I’m still navigating Visa options and now everything is changing). What letter is it? – and what are the prerequisites? Six months is better than a tourist visa.
@Brendan – I’m returning to the UK for a while anyway – so I’ll keep an eye on situations while I’m away, and plan to return in the Autumn or next Spring.
I’ve missed the Hong Kong window of opportunity. Teaching English is my worst-case contingency. ( A part-time lecturing job that aligns with my expertise and qualifications, would be ok – if anyone has any university leads. ).
What are the legitimate uses for an M or F visa? Although the “loophole” is closing – I expect that people are still granted these for legitimate purposes.
Under what circumstances would a non-commercial stay (F) be granted now?
What if I decided to start a REAL business? Put together a business case, and showed evidence of funds. (I previously lived in Australia under the auspices of something called an “Independent Executive 457” visa – which was this kind of deal.) Could I legitimately obtain an M visa? (Maybe my question is premature – and we won’t know until the changes have been in effect for a while.)
I noticed “R1 – highly skilled specialists” on the list. Intriguing. What does that entail? Do I need a job offer? Who assesses the level of my expertise?
I found that one on gochengdoo.com . But I also posted on couchsurfers, and other Chengdu classifieds, forums, and rental websites – that I found with Google.
