Yes this is very useful. Thanks and thanks to lummerlaoshi.
I wonder when the day comes I have to do this for whatever reason if I will have to go to HK to convert my Z-visa. to an L residence visa. I know you have to go there to go from L to Z. I have read yes and no. Guess hope the best and plan for the worst here. Going to HK is not a bad thing but if the time something happens a person is all stressed out about visa and timelines and this happens it can add to the anxiety. There must be anxiety of course, but nice to have an idea ahead of time.
Bill
Someone mentioned converting a Z to an L tourist visa is possible in Kunming. For those of you that are on study visas it is not possible to convert them to tourist visas inside the country - i have tried both in Shangri-la and Kunming only to be told they must be extended as study visas (which I eventually did, but it was expensive). Therefore, if you were ending your study course and wanted some more time for travel or to figure out your options, a quick trip to a nearby or neighboring country to obtain another tourist visa would be your best option.
The L visas are a joke and something the Chinese government really needs to do something about. I'm not holding my breath though. I can't even tell why they even offer them since you're barely allowed outside should you say "Good morning" to someone and be regarded as teaching English. I don't even get who else but retired people with lots of savings would even want an L visa. They are pure bull, outdated and discriminating.
If there still are a couple of people around who didn't know, in order to get the permanent residence permit under marriage terms you need either 5 years of continuing Z-visas OR 5 years of continuing L-visas -good luck not working for 5 years straight btw- you can't have 3 years of Z and then 2 years of L. Your 3 Zs are void in that case. It's kinda retarded.
Danmairen: a Permanent Residence Visa is also avail thru investments. I've never been able to find the exact regs in writing - - but I KNOW it can be done.
Cheers - - JJ
Does anyone know, if my tourist visa is for 90 days, can I extend it and stay here longer?
