an American friend holds a double entry 1 year visa, how cool is that!

From: ShenzhenParty.com

China Visa Facts – No Visa, No Entry

Overseas employment is fruitful and at the same time painstaking. The training, relocation and adjustment are usually coined the hardest part of working abroad, but one of the major hassles in landing a job abroad is the approval of visa to work overseas. Every country varies in their regulations as to how a migrant can work without being bothered by the immigration officers during work.

In China for example, there are several visas for every individual. Every visa is designated with a letter for easy identification as to what purpose you have for entering China. The tourist visa, or the "L" visa, is issued for tourists and is valid for three months on the single-entry version. It is valid for sightseeing, visiting relatives, or any personal affairs. The "X" visa is issued to persons whose main purpose is to pursue their education in China. This may also be issued to those seeking or already attending internship programs that should not exceed 6 six months. The "Z" visa is for those who intend to work in the country or for a family member of a migrant. The "J" visa issued to journalists is issued to foreign journalists residing in China or those who visit China for a short reporting trip. The "D" visa is issued to aliens who seek permanent residency in the country, especially foreigners who marry Chinese nationals. Lastly, the "G" visa which is issued to those who are passing through China on their way to another destination.

There are plenty of China visa myths circulating in the country. It is a common misnomer among migrant workers and even employers that an F visa can be used to work in China or that an L visa can be changed to a Z visa. Some even believe that visa changes can be made without leaving the country. Others would marry a Chinese national under the belief that they would be given special visa privileges after the marriage. Unfortunately, these are not true, Chinese visa facts are as follows: the absence of the proper employment visa will subject a migrant worker, on a different visa, to deportation and fines. In changing visa, the applicant must visit his home country and apply for it. And for those who marry Chinese nationals to obtain work, the marriage is not a license to employment. Even if you are married to a national of China, you still have to apply for a working visa.

Marriage to a local can only guarantee a yearlong visa, the type remains to be a tourist visa, and is tantamount to the inability of being employed. China does not offer spouses the benefits of permanent residency out of marriage. The country has qualifications that a spouse must meet before residency is awarded. Among these is a good credit standing in terms of taxes and a residency permit for 5 years after the celebration of the marriage. However, more often than not, meeting these requirements does not warrant the issuance of permanent residency, especially if you are not well connected.

Children born in China maintain Chinese citizenship despite possession of foreign citizenship. As long as the child stays in China, he is considered Chinese. If a child would obtain a foreign passport and uses it for the first time, it would amount to the renunciation of his Chinese citizenship and thus would be asked to get an exit permit to leave the country. If he should intend to return, he would be treated like any other alien to obtain a visa corresponding to his status. The Chinese government is very rigid when it comes to honoring citizenship and it does not in any way recognize dual citizenship.

Seems best thing is to go to the Visa Office on Beijing Lu and get the "official" word.

Can someone tell me the address of the PSB on Beijing Lu in Chinese so I can show it to the taxi driver?

I have a Z visa now, but my residence permit expires in 6 days, so I have to get a 30 day tourist visa at the local PSB.

www.gokunming.com/[...]

Kunming Public Security Bureau Foreign People Entry-exit Licensing Room
昆明市公安局境外人员出入境办证室
地址：昆明市北京路411号(昆明市公安局正大门右侧)电话：0871－3017878

@ Sikaote. I too have a permament resident visa; it expires on July 15 (from Qingdao). I rang the PSB yesterday asking about changing to a tourist visa - they told me I have to leave the country to get one - Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Macau or HongKong - all will serve the purpose. Just be prepared to travel (Unless your Z visa is from KM?). You can ring them - they do speak English.

Thanks Matthew, Quester and ChudinChina. All of your replies were helpful. Guess I need to go to HK. A friend said he was able to get one in Dali at the PSB there, but perhaps the laws have changed. <groan>

China Visa problems PLEASE HELP - URGENT!!!

Got to love it! Some clown posts a cry for help with three exclamation points almost a month ago and gets over 25 constructive replies, but doesn't bother to return to say thanks or let the forum know how it turned out. To give him the benefit of the doubt, I suppose it's possible that he and the girlfriend are in hiding now without internet access.

@GBTEXDOC
I thought the same thing. The nerve! Hope they got deported! Ha.ha.