@liumingke1234
Actually, it is not that obvious. There are places in Asia where you can enroll in a course but you don't actually need to take the classes.
It is highly unlikely that I would take part of any classes, so I will probably focus on other types of visas for now, in particular F visa and maybe extensions of L visas but if I hear anything to the contrary with regard to X visa I will research again.
I assumed TeraLa will want to try to work here, hence the work visa comments.
For visas for Swedes - you should check the Chinese Embassy requirements in Sweden.
Yes - a business visa is less formidable than the work visa - but it requires entry/exit every 90 days - similar to the tourist visa. Historically, tourist visas can be extended a maximum of THREE (3) times without requiring an exit/entry trip, subject to PSB discretion. Longer stays are possible - but those are medical-related justifications.
Here's the link for the Chinese Embassy in Sweden, for reference:
Requirements for US Citizens may vary - especially costs, so that's not particularly applicable.
Tuition fee for various schools is reasonable; the student visa itself is cheap, not to worry about, though I don't know the current price.
@michael2015
Hi Michael,
How are you?
Are you sure the tourist visa can be extended three times?
Several sources have claimed it can only be extended one time.
Do you have an American passport?
Maybe the visa deal with the American nations are more advantageous than with the European counterparts?
Or is it in fact possible to extend the tourist visa three times?
@terala
Everything is at the discretion of the respective PSB case officer. If you're a high-level business professional, traveling with family, visiting family, or retired - the PSB will take a kinder view. If you're a student or non-degreed traveller - they'll be considerably more suspicious. The issue is "visible means of support".
If you do not have the appearance of "visible means of support" - they will obviously suspect you of trying to work illegally - they're not particularly kindly disposed towards those kinds of travellers.
Remember - these people process tens of thousands of foreign work visas, travel visas, and business visas annually - they're quite perceptive, when they spot an unusual traveller.
The only difference in passport nationalities is the cost of the respective visas - the process remains the same and is fairly consistent for all foreigners.
The USA charges hefty usurious fees for Chinese Visas - so China reciprocates. The UK is much more reasonable - so Chinese visas for UK citizens are considerably less.
Very bluntly - as long as you're not trying to stay and work here under the radar - and you don't mind traveling - it's quite easy to cross into Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, etc via the land crossings, and return the next day (sometimes same day) - which resets the visa clock.
If you're a frequent border crosser on a multiple re-entry tourist visa - eventually you will attract the attention of the border patrol and questions will be asked. It's roulette.
Unless you're a retiree, married to a national, or some other compelling reason for being here - china is decidedly NOT friendly to non-college degreed foreigners.
I agree. China loves VIP. The door is wide open for them. You have lots of money no problen.
@Liumingke: True in most places.
@michael2015
Hi Michael,
I am interested in this part of your reply (see below).
Now, I do have a double entry tourist visa currently and I have some questions pertaining to it.
a) Will I be able to cross the border at Dong Xing/Mong Cai to activate the second part of my double entry visa? Vietnam has this 14-day visa free entrance policy, but there has to be 30 days in between the visits. Simultaneously the Chinese visa requires crossing the border every 30 days. So the margins are tight. In a scenario where the Dong Xing border control would let me exit "China" while the border control at Mong Cai would not let me enter, would I risk getting stuck at the border? I. e. is it necessary to actually enter "Vietnam" to be able to get back to "China" or is exiting "China" enough? Is it possible to just exit and then entering again immediately afterwards?
b) What exactly do you mean by resetting the visa clock? Visas are required to obtain beforehand at the embassies/consulates and cannot be obtained at the border, right? Although wikitravel claims it might be possible to apply for a visa directly at the Shenzhen Luoho border.
3. How are the days counted? I know the visa is valid for 30 days only and I entered on the 11th of April. Does that mean I need to leave "China" on the 10th of May or would it be the 9th of May or something else?
Your quote:
"Very bluntly - as long as you're not trying to stay and work here under the radar - and you don't mind traveling - it's quite easy to cross into Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, etc via the land crossings, and return the next day (sometimes same day) - which resets the visa clock."
Another quote:
"If you're a frequent border crosser on a multiple re-entry tourist visa - eventually you will attract the attention of the border patrol and questions will be asked. It's roulette."
Happened to me on the first time I crossed the border. No biggie. I don't drink or smoke, I'm a hobby cyclist/swimmer so there is nothing in the bags for them to complain about really. Oh, they asked a few questions too, but I was not impressed.
