F Visa Renewal: Under Fire?
Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 2:02 pm By Matt
Are we in the midst of a business visa crackdown?
Richard Brubaker, in his Allroadsleadtochina.com blog, recently sounded the alarm of possibility.
I just received an email from a friend who said that they were being told they could not renew their F [business] visa fro within China anymore. A quick Skype to another confirmed that F visas cannot be extended past the Olympics. Not sure if this is meant to increase Dragon Airlines revenue between HK and the mainland, but this is an issue that could impact a number of people in China.
We at bizCult checked this out considering the F visa can be a great way to do some business in China for those without official offices here. Three visa consulting agencies suggest the above claims are to be taken with big grains of salt. There is some merit to greater F visa worry, however.
Here’s what we found out:
1) F visas can be renewed within mainland China for six-month periods if you are of certain nationality. Citizens of developed countries, have no fear, your F visa renewal can be near. However since late last year, citizens from certain developing countries cannot have their F visas renewed, at least not in mainland China. Renewal in Hong Kong may be an alternative. African and Middle Eastern citizens appear to be those especially affected by the new stricter regulations. One consultant suggested citizens of countries in which suicide bombings typically occur will have more trouble renewing their F visa.
2) Consultants are at odds over whether F visa restrictions will tighten or lessen from now until the run-up to the Olympics. One consultant suggested the May through August period will be especially difficult to extend one’s F visa. Another said she didn’t think so, because government officials want to encourage business during the Olympic Games, so they will make it easy if one can demonstrate an Olympic-related business purpose.
3) The suggestion that F visas cannot be extended past the Olympics appears to be false, as renewals can be six months in duration.
4) Those who have broken Chinese law while holding F visas may have more trouble renewing them – duh.
As for the reasoning behind tightened F visas, Stella Sun, a consultant with Beijing-based Afro-Asia Business Consulting Service, has some interesting thoughts.
She notes the Olympics have been targets of violence in the past, and therefore greater visa restrictions may be for security reasons. But she also notes F visa abuse has been increasingly rampant.
Nannies from the Philippines, for instance, have been F visa holders, and China no longer tolerates that, she said.
“China doesn’t want the kind of people with lower education,” She said. “It wants people with higher education and qualification.”
It appears China is in no danger of becoming a nation of immigrants, or immigrant workers, anytime soon.
Should you have visa inquiries, here are some local visa consulting agencies:
- Joesun Investment Consulting, +86 10 5166 5798, wangling@joesun.com.cn
- Handao Consulting: +86 21 6446 2108, info@handao.net
- Beijing Fortunecom Visa Consulting Service Co. Ltd., +86 132 6129 7978, aknuypoe@yahoo.com.cn
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April 3rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Great post, just like always. When I’m entering your blog I’m always sure I won’t regret it. Continue writing.
April 14th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Dear bizcult yes it is true - there will come up a big mess with whatever kind of China visas. We have a blog maybe you take a look - thanks
http://www.thechinavisa.blogspot.com
September 10th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
have a question regarding the residence visa status in China.I
f an expat looses his/her job in china, can the person still keep residence status in china until the expiration date without any worries or problems ?
Also, what Will happens to the status of the Foreign expert document ? This person plans into continue looking for employment in china, and figures that with some of the issues regarding visa problems, he/she has a better chance of getting another expat position.The person is a USA citizen..and presently living in the same household with his expat Fiance’ that has been employed in china for the past 4 years.
September 10th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Hi Richard,
These are good questions - thanks for asking. I’m afraid the answer, though, may depend on your individual situation.
I was in a very similar situation to the one you describe last year.
I wanted to quit the place of my employment - which was with a government-run magazine in China - and wondered whether I could stay in China until my work visa expired.
As it turned out, the de facto HR person told me to come with her to - I believe it’s called - the exit entry administration office in Beijing, or something like that. It’s the one where you apply for visa extensions, etc.
She went with me, we turned in some paperwork, and suddenly, my Z visa was cancelled. I was going to have to leave the country within days. I don’t remember all the details, but suffice it to say, there was some chicanery involved on her part.
I later learned that had I not gone with her, I might have been able to maintain my Z visa until expiration. So don’t necessarily do what your company tells you to do. Get a lawyer to advise you.
In my case, I also had to relinquish my foreign expert document, and go to Hong Kong to get a new China visa.
I understand that not all companies in China are as strict or conniving as the one I worked for. Some companies may give you the proper documentation so that you can transfer to another company with relative ease, and get another visa with the new company, all the while staying in China. My company - bastards - did not. I believe it had something to do with the fact that the company I worked for was a conservative government one, rather than a private Chinese company.
The visa consultant I was working with at the time turned out not to be as helpful as I expected. Since then, however, he has been an excellent source of advice about all things visa related. Further, I did brief him on my case at the time and he did offer some very good insights into what had happened. His name is Michael and I suggest you call him at Joesun Investment Consulting, +86 10 5166 5798, wangling@joesun.com.cn.
Also, you can talk to my immigration attorney, Linda Liang, at: liangyanling@kingandwood.com. She’s with a hot shot firm now, and probably is more expensive than when I saw her, but it’s well worth it to call her about this because she knows her stuff.
Best of China luck!
September 11th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Hello Matt
Thank you for the advise..The company I worked is a private USA owned company, and did not do any of things that happened to you.
The only paper the company gave was a statement paper on the postion held and the date I quit, to show other any other employer, as they knew I would look for work and wanted to stay in China, considering staying with my girlfriend.
So basically speaking it sounds that my situation is legally ok for the time being. At least it seems so, from your information..
September 12th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Hi Richard,
Yes, it sounds like your company did handle things much more graciously. That documentation they gave you should help - that’s exactly what I was looking for but didn’t get from my old employer until after they cancelled my visa, which didn’t help a lick at that point.
Not being a lawyer, I wouldn’t provide legal advice to you. But practically speaking, it seems like you’ll be ok. I don’t think the Gestapo is going to come looking for you, and even if they do, you can show them a valid visa. There’s always the “oh, sorry, I didn’t know” line if anyone tells you otherwise. Foreign faces can still get away with playing dumb - also on motorcycles from what I understand. If you’re unlicensed, you “oh, forgot my license at home.” Be sure not to speak in Chinese though.
Just remember, China doesn’t have the rule of law like it does in the U.S. But it still applies the law. Look no further than our article on what happens when you intentionally overstay your expired visa here: http://www.bizcult.com/content/?p=685 . But on the other hand, jail ain’t so bad anymore - free HBO for prisoners, no kidding.
Good luck
September 18th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
OOps sorry finger hits buton. but going back to whaT i WAS Typing:
In another china blog it states that China will open again the regular 12 month f visa after the October holidays..FYI
See a site called; THE CHINA VISA BLOG.