Hello!

I was living in yunnan before the olympic games when all the visa regulations changed. I want to return. The information i have managed to find on the google interweb machine so far seems to suggest that it will only be possible to get a 30 day stay visa (L) unless I arrange employment in china before leaving europe (some websites said up to 120 days on an L type visa but it was unclear). The interent also says it is now illegal to enter with an L visa and convert it to a Z visa after finding employment.

I got the CELTA qualification so i guess it shouldn't be too difficult looking for work in kunming if I just turn up. I just dont want to get a job online and end up living somewhere i dont want to be and trapped in a contract.

I know a lot of you live in china permanently but I imagine you all got businesses and WOFE residence visas.

So anyways, sorry for waffling these are my questions:

Are there any longer stay L visa options availiable? (for UK or Ireland citizen)

Will I have to leave china to change from L to Z visa after finding a job?

any help will be much appreciated!! thanx.

peas and luff.

Yes it's true .You can't enter with L visa then convert it to Z visa they won't do it for you,you will be required to travel out of the country to return with one month z visa then change it to residence permit under some regulations.

No any longer options for L visa unless you married for a Chinese woman .In this case they issue one year L visa which is extendable

This brings to mind the question of a pernament visa (green card) here. Did they stop this now? It used to be if you live here full time for 5 years you could get a green card. I am married to a Chinese national almost 5 years now and own property here.

Anyone have experience with this?

I'm confused by this thread. It seems to suggest that you can't get more than a 30 day visa. What nationality is the person asking? As far as I can tell US citizens can still apply for the 1 year, multi-entry 90 day stay visas. That's what I've done for the last 2 years. I also see that French citizens can still get the 1 year.

If something has changed I'd really like to know because I'm applying in Paris in a couple of days. The websites don't show a change but I guess that's no guarantee.

Sorry I just noticed you said UK or Ireland so I don't know about that.
but imagine a quick web search would clarify the options.

thanks for all the replies! ive been going around chinatown here in london and it seems they can sort out a six month L visa for me if I write some kind of letter (which i think they will do for me). i think i will still have to leave the country every two months and to convert L to Z. it used to be so much easier...anyways, thanks everyone!

just got granted a visa, six month was not possible. 90 days stay in china is the maximum on an L visa for UK citizen.

Well, this has been educational for me. I'm glad you got your visa Luke81.

I just got a 1 year multi-entry visa again as an American. But I had no idea the rules changed so much depending on your nationality. Now I can see why the student visas are so popular in Kunming.

Whatever happened to the old 6 month F-Visas? Do they not do those in HK anymore?

its all about rockin up in mirador mansions: "1 year business visa please" - done...sadly not possible anymo. got my passport back just now. turns out its a six month visa but i gots ta leave every 90 days... its not so bad i guess