European nationals with a valid residence permit (for work and certain other purposes) will now be allowed to apply for a new visa to re-enter China. They will still be subject to COVID testing and quarantine requirements.
Those whose residence permits have recently expired are not covered by this announcement as of yet.
@Mildred: not really adding much to the conversation there...
I haven't found any official notice, but I've been told by a few sources that the government is planning to overhaul the student visa system, and has suspended all new non-degree student visas until the new rules can be finalized.
Hopefully those who wish to continue studies can hold out on the temporary stay extensions until this is resolved.
It's quite likely that a lot of programs and private schools will lose their ability to sponsor visas, though. A lot of schools are holding their breath right now.
It's not the front desk clerks making things up. They have the authentication requirements because the local PSBs can't be trusted to recognize the authenticity of documents from a hundred countries with different bureaucratic systems around the world. The goal is to get a stamp on it that they themselves can check.
The last time I had to go through all this, I had documents authenticated by my home state, with the Secretary of State's signature and seal verified by the Chinese consulate covering that region (they have these on file for the states in their consular district), and the local PSB clerks could easily identify the consulate's seal.
All of this would be much easier if China just signed up for the apostille system, but the clerks at the Kunming PSB have no say in the matter.
Also, they have addressed the issue, first by giving 60 day automatic extensions, and then by allowing people to apply for consecutive 30 day extensions.
Again, I recommend you go talk to them. Your situation won't get any better by ignoring it.
"I am too illegal to even speak with them. Just want to pay their 10,000 penalty, grab my shit & git.. (to Vientiane)..."
I'm guessing you have a long-expired visa. If that's the case, you're going to have to talk to the PSB sooner or later, either by walking into their office of your own volition now, or when customs stops you trying to leave the country.
If you just try to fly out of here or cross at the border, there's a chance they will allow you out with just a fine, but there's also a pretty good chance they'll throw you in detention for a month.
Your best chance for lenience is to come to them first.
@Ishmael: My impression was that the Bai of Heqing were the builders, making houses in a variety of minority styles all over western Yunnan, and Jianchuan was home to the carpenters who made the best window screens and eaves decorations.
An exciting new gallery space built from an old factory warehouse in the Paoluda Creative Industry Park. Looking forward to seeing what they'll do with it.
I heard they revamped the burgers so I went there for one last night. Had the blue cheese burger. Total mess, cheese and carmelized onions dripping all over the place. It was awesome.
Snapshot: A trip to Kunming and beyond in the 80s
Posted byGreat story. The temple does appear to be the Golden Temple
Snapshot: Preserving Yunnan woodworking traditions in Jianchuan
Posted byGreat article by the way.
Snapshot: Preserving Yunnan woodworking traditions in Jianchuan
Posted by@Ishmael: My impression was that the Bai of Heqing were the builders, making houses in a variety of minority styles all over western Yunnan, and Jianchuan was home to the carpenters who made the best window screens and eaves decorations.
Scientists "99 percent" certain SARS originated in Yunnan bats
Posted byFor the transmission, it was probably an infected civet that was illegally caught and shipped to Guangdong for sale in the wild food markets.
1920s China through the lens of Joseph Rock: Simao
Posted byDoes anyone have any idea where "Nakoli" is? I'm assuming, based on the picture caption, that it's a town or village next to Simao...