Expatriate Forums in China

LuckyTommy · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Home Country: usa

Hi,

My girlfriend just recently got a job in Shanghai and I'd like to stay with her in China for a few months. Can anyone give any advice on what the best options are in terms of a Visa? I'm a US citizen (naturalized from Taiwan) and don't need to find work while there. Also, we're looking to make the move to China early September.

I've been searching the web and it looks like they've really clamped down on Visas so any suggestions would be much welcome!

leeovisa · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject:

Your girl friend can get a Residence Permit for work (work visa).

Please refer to the following link for details. It's only for your reference, since there will be some difference from city to city.
http://www.cn-visa.com/zvisa_application.asp

If you were married, you yourself could get Residence permit for Alien employee's family member.

Instead, you can apply for a tourist visa (Category: L) in US during such special period. And hopefully after Paralympics, the visa policy can be relaxed little by little. Then you can try to have it converted to a longer F visa (no limitation of each stay, issued by Public Security Bureau when you are already in China mainland) through a visa agency.

Taxi-Book · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:00 am Post subject:

Yes, F is definitely the best solution

ron duke · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:12 pm Post subject:

what is a f visa I am in china now on 6 month L visa need new one soon

leeovisa · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

F visas are for non-Chinese passport holders to visit China for an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internship.
It's used to being called "business visa".

Compared with tourist visas (Category: L), F visas can enable you to stay longer in China.

At present (Sep. 17, 2008), 6-month F visas (the longest at present) can be got if your present visas are L or F ones. The prices are quite expensive, though.