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.
I was wondering about the alkaline batteries too. They recently removed all the trash cans with battery receptacles in my neighborhood. Based on the statement Dan quoted, sounds like they simply gave up. They were probably just dumping them in the landfill anyway.
"A more serious picker who spends most of the day searching for scrap could make more than ten yuan per day"
This is why, when I'm doing spring cleaning or otherwise getting rid of a lot of scrap, I just give it to them for free. My neighbors think I'm crazy.
AlexKMG: It's probably included in your wuguan fee. A lot of neighborhoods don't bother giving residents an itemized list, but if you ever see one, you'll see it's divvied up into things like grounds maintenance, elevator inspection fee, security, waste removal and whatnot.
Of course it makes perfect sense that the city is mobilizing the entire paichusuo network and encouraging a few million people to register their bikes just so they can keep tabs on your visa situation. It's not like they don't already have that information sitting in a file at your neighborhood paichusuo where you have to register...
According to the linked article, you don't need an official Fapiao to register. The Fapiao is only used to establish that the bike is new and eligible for the higher theft payout.
This is an improvement from the original registration drive, where the bike couldn't be registered without a whole bunch of paperwork, most of which the dealers weren't providing.
As for Alien's comment, I was told that this raid was directed by the city government, while previous enforcement was done on the district level.
This next part is speculation, but I bet someone is in hot water right now for taking money to look the other way. All the vendors on Wenhuaxiang used to pay each night for their slots, and I'm pretty sure a large cut of that went upstairs somewhere, probably to the district chengguan.
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.
Dali Bar begins free community e-waste recycling program
Posted byI was wondering about the alkaline batteries too. They recently removed all the trash cans with battery receptacles in my neighborhood. Based on the statement Dan quoted, sounds like they simply gave up. They were probably just dumping them in the landfill anyway.
Interview: Tracking Kunming's trash with Adam Liebman
Posted by"A more serious picker who spends most of the day searching for scrap could make more than ten yuan per day"
This is why, when I'm doing spring cleaning or otherwise getting rid of a lot of scrap, I just give it to them for free. My neighbors think I'm crazy.
AlexKMG: It's probably included in your wuguan fee. A lot of neighborhoods don't bother giving residents an itemized list, but if you ever see one, you'll see it's divvied up into things like grounds maintenance, elevator inspection fee, security, waste removal and whatnot.
Kunming police begin drive to register e-bikes citywide
Posted by@Anonymous Coward:
Of course it makes perfect sense that the city is mobilizing the entire paichusuo network and encouraging a few million people to register their bikes just so they can keep tabs on your visa situation. It's not like they don't already have that information sitting in a file at your neighborhood paichusuo where you have to register...
Kunming police begin drive to register e-bikes citywide
Posted byAccording to the linked article, you don't need an official Fapiao to register. The Fapiao is only used to establish that the bike is new and eligible for the higher theft payout.
This is an improvement from the original registration drive, where the bike couldn't be registered without a whole bunch of paperwork, most of which the dealers weren't providing.
Popular night market locations closed, ban appears permanent
Posted byAs for Alien's comment, I was told that this raid was directed by the city government, while previous enforcement was done on the district level.
This next part is speculation, but I bet someone is in hot water right now for taking money to look the other way. All the vendors on Wenhuaxiang used to pay each night for their slots, and I'm pretty sure a large cut of that went upstairs somewhere, probably to the district chengguan.