I will be starting a new job in Kunming with an agricultural/food processing firm. I have already met the boss a number of times and my sponsor who is also on the board of directors of the company and deputy head (as well as being a good family friend I've known for over 3 years and my dad has known her for at least 10 years) keeps assuring me that it's possible for me to arrive in Kunming on a new tourist visa, which within 30 days can be converted into a residence permit valid for work.

I have previously stayed in Kunming on a residence permit valid for study as I was a language student at two different universities. However, that permit (still in my old passport) is now expired and besides, I was told that the purpose of residence couldn't be converted inside China anyway.

My sponsor telephoned the Kunming PSB who apparently told her it's possible to submit all the paperwork from the company in order to convert a tourist visa to a residence permit valid for work, rather than starting with a "Z" visa.

This is all very confusing as I am not sure what to do now, or even how to go about applying for a tourist visa. Recently the Chinese government has made it more difficult to apply even for a tourist visa, especially if you are applying outside your country of residence/citizenship, which I would be doing. It's currently no longer a case of hand over passport, money and one photograph (either in person or via an agent) and you'll get a visa; but rather, show up in person (in your home country and some other countries agents can still be used), submit a detailed application form, photos, passport, air tickets, hotel bookings, possibly an "invitation" from a China based sponsor and they may not even want to issue you a visa at all if you don't live in or are a citizen of the country where you apply.

Does anyone with first-hand experience, preferably since August 1 have any information/advice they could give me? Is my sponsor right about the visa application and transfer process? If not, will I definately need to insist that the company sends all the paperwork necessary to apply for a work visa to the consulate of my choosing or, if necessary, the consulate in my country of citizenship? If it makes a difference, I would be applying using my Australian passport, assuming I had to fedex my passport back there in order to apply (I'm currently in Thailand, where I wish to apply, but I've heard some bad stories about applying for Chinese visas recently at least in Bangkok).

Just to add a little more to the confusion:

The "Registration Voucher of Residence for Visitors from Overseas" (at Police Station) states:
"2. Foreigners without residence permit or on a study program shall not take a post or be employed in China without permission from the competent authorities of the Chinese government."

My Passport has (in lieu of visa - - good for one year):
"Residence Permit for Foreigner in the Peoples Republic of China"

Does this mean I can work?

Although I don't want to at my age (75) - - just wondering??

Cheers

@JJ
Residence Permit and Permission to Work are utterly different (STILL) at this time - although difficult to track if you're say...working for cash...wink wink...nudge nudge...

The general rule is "don't be a social nuisance".

If you get a Work Permit or a Foreign Expert Permit then you can work legally,,, but I think they don't give those to people over either 60 or 65 (can't remember).

I wouldn't be starting work until my residence permit for work is approved, a process that should take only 5 working days if all the paperwork is in order. At this point though, I am wondering about what my options are to get into Kunming on a tourist visa and then get it converted to a residence permit valid for work. I've received some conflicting information, but still nothing definitive.

For Laotou: I understand - - however, language on Police Permit very ambiguous:
"2. Foreigners without residence permit or on a study program shall not take a post or be employed in China without permission from the competent authorities of the Chinese government."

Since it says - - foreigners WITHOUT residence permit ...shall not be employed. Doesn't it infer that foreigners WITH a residence permit can work???

Also - - in addition to my age - - working is against my religion!!

Cheers

When I was working my residence permit, in the "purpose of residence box," said 任职 (hold a position,or, work). When I stopped working and became a student, the "purpose of residence" became 学习 (study).

The "or" in "Foreigners without residence permit or on a study program..." seems to restrict me from working. Studying Chinese on a 学习 visa does not, it seems to me, permit working legally.

But like JJ, work at my age is not something I am interested in.

I posted this in June and not much has changed.
I have never heard of a tourist visa being turned into a residence permit you can use for work.

A foreign experts certificate can be used for working and get a residence permit.
First rule every place I have been, is that the rules will change, the paperwork will change and these are often open to local interpretation and regulations. Even the terms of what a necessary document is called can and do vary. Meaning be careful what terms you use.

I directly supervised the full legal registration of a new foreign employee in my registered foreign office this year into July.
All below require specific letters, documents both originals and copies in Chinese.
The rough vastly simplified process:
1. Yunnan C&I, A representative certificate as one of my office representatives which requires a authentication letter from a home country office.
The authentication letter must be from the Chinese consulate in your companies country.

A formal Chinese health certificate is preferred.

Yunnan HR Work License.

Yunnan F & A Office letter of invitation/authorization for a Z visa

Travel to outside China to a specific Chinese consulate with all required documents to obtain a Z visa. It must be done with in a specified time frame.

Yunnan H R Work Permit.

P S B issued Residence Permit.

Then you start this all over again about 9 or 10 months later but it is easier the second time.
A requirement for another document from the local police station is increasingly required by some agencies.