Yuantongsi is correct. I had to get my healthcheck there last week for my resident permit renewal. Cost is 400RMB. Pick up next day.

FYI, @tallamerican

I'm doing the same thing now. Only difference is that they will give me a 3 year permit. Will be ready next week.

Cost 400 for med check. 800 for permit.

@bucko That is interesting, because they told me 1 year without health certificate and then as we were leaving they told my wife i could get a 2 year if i got the certificate. Never mentioned the 3 year. Let us know when you actually have 3 year permit in the your hands.

News to me too. And they told us 400 for 1 year, 800 for 2.

Ok, Here's the deal.
If you are over 60, they will give you a 3 year residence permit. Under 60 and you get 2 year.

Holy cow! I'm 70 and all I get is 6 months! Something fishy going on here... By the way, how do you know?

I just did it!

What is your status and what documents did you have to present? I'll appreciate any info that'll help me when I re-apply...

The usual. Marriage certs, passport, medical report, wife's id, police report.

I also own property and showed him papers. But I don't know if that is needed.

tallamerican - did you get your visa yet? What was the final product?

I'm beginning to think that everything hinges on the accumulated knowledge of the official that you deal with at the time of your visa application.

As expats applying for a visa, we need to have on-hand a Chinese version of the regulations and a lawyer who can tell the behind-counter plebs the correct interpretations of the current visa laws.