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How to Apply for a "F" Visa
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2006-01-03 14:28:14
CRIENGLISH.com
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The F visa is issued to an alien invited to China for a period of not more than six months.
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Dear Sir / Madam
I have request! I live in Poland. In December I'm going to China. In March I'm going to visit Hong Hong! I have "F visa" - single entry to China! Where in Hong Kong I would can get second "F visa" to China? This information is very important for me! Beacuse I must come to China again
Best Regards
Aneta, Miss Aneta Mudrak, Poland
 The F Visa Explanation
Special Case: Hong Kong
F Visa Extension
The F Visa Explanation
The F visa, commonly referred to as the "business visa", is issued to an alien invited to China for: business; research; scientific, technological, and/or cultural exchange; short-term advanced study; or intern practice – for a period of not more than six months.
The F visa can be applied for at your local Chinese embassy or consular office. The following details the application requirements:
Types:
Single entry visa
Double entry visa
Multiple entry 6 Months
Multiple entry 1 Year
Multiple entry 2 Years
Single or Double Entry Visa Requirements:
(1) Current passport with at least 6 months validity
(2) Completed visa application form
(3) One recent passport-size photo
(4) Invitation letter from the host organization in China
6-Month or 1-Year Multiple Entry Visa Requirements:
(1) 6-month multiple entry: current passport with at least 6 months of validity; 1-year multiple entry: current passport with at least 1 year of validity
(2) Completed visa application form
(3) One recent passport-size photo
(4) One of the following requirements must be met:
(A) The applicant presents a visa issuance notice from a Chinese governmental organization that has specified on it the number of entries, validity, and duration of stay to be included on the visa.
(B) The applicant has investment in China and presents the original business license (along with one photocopy) registered under his/her name. (The original will be returned.)
(C) The applicant holds a management position in a foreign company with a branch in China and presents an application letter from the foreign company along with an invitation letter from the branch in China.
(D) The applicant has entered China at least twice in the past year on an F visa(s) and presents a photocopy of the F visa(s) along with an invitation letter from the host organization in China for this visit.
(E) The applicant needs to frequently travel to China to carry out a contract and presents an application letter from his/her foreign company along with the original contract (along with one photocopy) with a Chinese company. (The original will be returned.)
2-Year Multiple Entry Visa Requirements:
(1) Current passport with at least 2 years of validity
(2) One photocopy of the personal information page of the passport (the page with the applicant’s photo)
(3) Completed visa application form
(4) One recent passport-size photo
(5) The applicant has entered China before and presents evidence of this, such as one photocopy of his/her most recent Chinese visa.
(6)One of the following requirements must be met:
(A) The applicant holds an academic title of associate professor or higher at a foreign institution of higher learning and/or research. He/she must also be a guest professor or hold another long-term position at a Chinese institution of higher learning and/or research. Original credentials (and photocopies) from both foreign and Chinese institutions must be presented. (Originals will be returned.)
(B) The applicant has investment in China and presents the original business license (along with one photocopy) registered under his/her name. (The original will be returned.)
(C) The applicant holds a senior technical or management position in a foreign company with a branch in China and presents an application letter from the foreign company along with an invitation letter from the branch in China. The application letter must include the applicant's position and purpose for visiting China. Both the application letter and the invitation letter must be typed on the company's official letterhead and bear the company’s seal, or the signature of the manager in charge.
Validity:
Validity refers to the amount of time a visa holder has to enter China from the issue date of the visa.
Visa Type: Validity:
Single entry visa 3 months
Double entry visa 6 months
Multiple entry 6 months 6 months
Multiple entry 1 year 1 year
Multiple entry 2 years 2 years
The above lists the usual amounts of time given to a visa holder to enter China depending on visa type. Applicants can request a longer validity period when applying. However, it is up to the local Chinese embassy or consular office whether or not to grant the request.
Duration of Stay:
Duration of stay refers to the amount of time a visa holder has to stay in China from the date he/she enters.
The usual duration of stay for all visa types (except the 2-year multiple entry visa) is 30 days. The usual duration of stay for the 2-year multiple entry visa is 90 days.
Applicants can request a longer duration of stay when applying – up to 6 months. However, it is up to the local Chinese embassy or consular office whether or not to grant the request.
Special Case: Hong Kong
The application requirements detailed above must be met when applying for an F visa anywhere in the world – with the exception of Hong Kong.
That's because travel agencies in Hong Kong can arrange at least a 6-month multiple entry F visa for you with only your (1) current passport and (2) one recent passport-size photo. No other documentation is required – most don't even ask you to fill in a visa application form. (The only exception is the state-run China International Travel Service [CITS], which will require you to meet all standard F visa application requirements.)
You can find a list of travel agencies in Hong Kong in guidebooks such as Lonely Planet.
F Visa Extension
If you're already in China on an F visa, but are nearing the end of your duration of stay and would like to stay longer, you can apply for a visa extension.
Apply at your local public security bureau (PSB) in charge of foreign entry and exit. You will need to bring with you your (1) current passport with your current F visa and (2) a letter from a Chinese organization stating why you need to remain in China.
You can also find a local travel agency to help you with your visa extension – especially if the PSB is giving you problems.
Keep in mind, though, that you can only extend/re-extend your F visa to allow you to continuously stay in the country for a total of one year. If you're nearing the end of one continuous year in China on an F visa that's been extended/re-extended, and you'd still like to stay longer, you'll have to leave the country (such as to Hong Kong) and then come back again on a fresh F visa.
Where to apply for a visa extension in Beijing:
Public Security Bureau, Foreign Affairs Section (010-8402 0101)
Location: 2 Andingmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
北京市公安局出入境管理处, 东城区安定门东大街2号
Where to apply for a visa extension in Shanghai:
Public Security Bureau, Foreign Affairs Section (021-2895 1900)
Location: 1500 Minsheng Lu, Pudong District.
上海市公安局出入境管理局, 浦东新区民生路1500号
(Text by Allen Chai & Duanlei)
If you have any questions about living in China, you can contact us. Email your questions to chinastic@crifm.com We are very glad to help you out.
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