Post: #1

Hey RVF'ers, I'm currently staying in China on a multiple entry tourist visa (L) issued at New York and the duration allowed for each stay is 90 days. Given that I entered the country on January 30th, I figure I have to leave on April 30th and do a reentry into the country to continue staying here. However, I've been doing this for a while and my visa expires on May 16th. How can I renew my Visa? Can I just go the local Exit and Entry Administration of (Nanning) Public Security Bureau or do I have to go to a major city like Guangzhou/Beijing? Or do I actually have to go back to New York for a new visa? It would really mess up a lot of things financially if I had to go back to the U.S. just to get the visa situation fixed. Any help would be greatly appreciated guys!

Post: #2

I think you can go to a different Adiministrative Region like Hong Kong or Macau to renew it there.

Post: #3

First, check with the local expat scene, they would know from first hand experience what is the scoop. If that doesn't help, get in touch with agencies in Hong Kong. I'm sure they can help you out.

All the best!

Post: #4

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Hmmm, most of the expats here are English teachers on working visas and I'm not sure how much they would help but I'll try asking anyways. I guess calling a visa agency about Mainland visa renewal in Hong Kong is my best bet, as Nanning is in Guangxi which is southern and close to Hong Kong/Macau. If anybody else has more information, please feel free to chime in.

Post: #5

You still haven't quite mentioned which city you are in. There are various places you can go to renew a visa in China, but some are stricter and some are less (I don't have experience with renewing visas in the mainland, but such locations aren't just restricted to tier 1 cities). Try looking up "Public Security Bureau visa china" or something like that.

Also, if you don't plan on staying that much longer, you can exit Mainland China (say to Macau or Hong Kong) and then reenter on the visa expiration date. Your visa expires the next day, but you're still allowed in the country for another 90 days.

Post: #6

Yes, give some agencies in Hong Kong and Bangkok a call or an email and find out what they can do for you. You are a US citizen? That makes it a little more difficult to get a better F visa with an agency, but shouldn't stop you from getting another tourist visa through an agency that has decent connections.

It is always risky, because the rules are always changing, but the good news is that if you do chance it and go to Hong Kong to see what you can arrange (if calling or emailing ahead doesn't get you the guarantees you would like) you'll have 90 days to sort things out. Provided you have a little spare cash, HK can be a lot of fun. Not the worst place to be for 90 days.

If you have trouble, shoot me a PM and I'll see what I can do to hook you up.

Post: #7

Your best option is to go to HK and get a F visa (business).

http://www.chinavisa.com.hk/

I've used them multiple times and they are extremely good.