> what is the story with no more visa extensions for tourist visas?
Some foreigners were denied 30 day extensions last week, and were told they didn't show sufficient evidence there weren't flights to their home country.
Since then, other foreigners have been granted 30 day extensions. Not sure exactly what's going on here, but they have apparently not stopped issuing the extensions altogether.
> will 10 year visas still be valid?
If you're currently outside the country with a 10 year visa, it will be valid once the borders fully reopen to tourists, but it won't get you into China right now.
> where can we find the official government policy?
Good question. There have been official announcements about no longer being able to enter China with a visa issued before March 28, and about the blanket 60 day extension granted to most people, but there has been no national policy announcement about visas since.
Note that every province and municipality has the power to grant extensions and interpret the rules, so you'll see different situations around the country.
>
are visa runs still possible?
No. Most of the borders are effectively closed or greatly restricted, and people on tourist and other short term visas are not being let into China. This is why people with multi-year tourist visas are suddenly needing to apply for 30 day extensions.
Three things are going on right now to make this the perfect storm of road work and beautification projects:
- Economic stimulus, with tons of funds being released to get ordinary workers back to work and spending money.
- The Civilized City campaign: Kunming has tried, and failed, to earn the Civilized City designation several times now.
- COP 15, the UN summit on biodiversity. Was slated for this October, but postponed due to COVID. Currently scheduled for next May. Multiple heads of state are expected to attend.
European nationals with a valid residence permit (for work and certain other purposes) will now be allowed to apply for a new visa to re-enter China. They will still be subject to COVID testing and quarantine requirements.
Those whose residence permits have recently expired are not covered by this announcement as of yet.
@Mildred: not really adding much to the conversation there...
I haven't found any official notice, but I've been told by a few sources that the government is planning to overhaul the student visa system, and has suspended all new non-degree student visas until the new rules can be finalized.
Hopefully those who wish to continue studies can hold out on the temporary stay extensions until this is resolved.
It's quite likely that a lot of programs and private schools will lose their ability to sponsor visas, though. A lot of schools are holding their breath right now.
It's not the front desk clerks making things up. They have the authentication requirements because the local PSBs can't be trusted to recognize the authenticity of documents from a hundred countries with different bureaucratic systems around the world. The goal is to get a stamp on it that they themselves can check.
The last time I had to go through all this, I had documents authenticated by my home state, with the Secretary of State's signature and seal verified by the Chinese consulate covering that region (they have these on file for the states in their consular district), and the local PSB clerks could easily identify the consulate's seal.
All of this would be much easier if China just signed up for the apostille system, but the clerks at the Kunming PSB have no say in the matter.
I was wondering about the alkaline batteries too. They recently removed all the trash cans with battery receptacles in my neighborhood. Based on the statement Dan quoted, sounds like they simply gave up. They were probably just dumping them in the landfill anyway.
"A more serious picker who spends most of the day searching for scrap could make more than ten yuan per day"
This is why, when I'm doing spring cleaning or otherwise getting rid of a lot of scrap, I just give it to them for free. My neighbors think I'm crazy.
AlexKMG: It's probably included in your wuguan fee. A lot of neighborhoods don't bother giving residents an itemized list, but if you ever see one, you'll see it's divvied up into things like grounds maintenance, elevator inspection fee, security, waste removal and whatnot.
Of course it makes perfect sense that the city is mobilizing the entire paichusuo network and encouraging a few million people to register their bikes just so they can keep tabs on your visa situation. It's not like they don't already have that information sitting in a file at your neighborhood paichusuo where you have to register...
According to the linked article, you don't need an official Fapiao to register. The Fapiao is only used to establish that the bike is new and eligible for the higher theft payout.
This is an improvement from the original registration drive, where the bike couldn't be registered without a whole bunch of paperwork, most of which the dealers weren't providing.
As for Alien's comment, I was told that this raid was directed by the city government, while previous enforcement was done on the district level.
This next part is speculation, but I bet someone is in hot water right now for taking money to look the other way. All the vendors on Wenhuaxiang used to pay each night for their slots, and I'm pretty sure a large cut of that went upstairs somewhere, probably to the district chengguan.
An exciting new gallery space built from an old factory warehouse in the Paoluda Creative Industry Park. Looking forward to seeing what they'll do with it.
Dali Bar begins free community e-waste recycling program
发布者I was wondering about the alkaline batteries too. They recently removed all the trash cans with battery receptacles in my neighborhood. Based on the statement Dan quoted, sounds like they simply gave up. They were probably just dumping them in the landfill anyway.
Interview: Tracking Kunming's trash with Adam Liebman
发布者"A more serious picker who spends most of the day searching for scrap could make more than ten yuan per day"
This is why, when I'm doing spring cleaning or otherwise getting rid of a lot of scrap, I just give it to them for free. My neighbors think I'm crazy.
AlexKMG: It's probably included in your wuguan fee. A lot of neighborhoods don't bother giving residents an itemized list, but if you ever see one, you'll see it's divvied up into things like grounds maintenance, elevator inspection fee, security, waste removal and whatnot.
Kunming police begin drive to register e-bikes citywide
发布者@Anonymous Coward:
Of course it makes perfect sense that the city is mobilizing the entire paichusuo network and encouraging a few million people to register their bikes just so they can keep tabs on your visa situation. It's not like they don't already have that information sitting in a file at your neighborhood paichusuo where you have to register...
Kunming police begin drive to register e-bikes citywide
发布者According to the linked article, you don't need an official Fapiao to register. The Fapiao is only used to establish that the bike is new and eligible for the higher theft payout.
This is an improvement from the original registration drive, where the bike couldn't be registered without a whole bunch of paperwork, most of which the dealers weren't providing.
Popular night market locations closed, ban appears permanent
发布者As for Alien's comment, I was told that this raid was directed by the city government, while previous enforcement was done on the district level.
This next part is speculation, but I bet someone is in hot water right now for taking money to look the other way. All the vendors on Wenhuaxiang used to pay each night for their slots, and I'm pretty sure a large cut of that went upstairs somewhere, probably to the district chengguan.