Originally Posted by
STS-134
1. I would effectively be stuck in China while the RP is processing, which as far as I know, takes at least 3 weeks if you're lucky, and typically as long as 6 weeks. Remember, Q1 is only good for one entry, so if I were to leave while the RP is processing, I'd have to stand in line at the consulate and get another visa.
2. It's easier for me to renew a Q2 visa once every 10 years than it is for me to renew a RP every 5 years. I'm not sure how long it actually takes to renew a RP but I suspect I may end up in the same scenario as (1). And I definitely cannot renew a RP at the consulate.
My guy can renew RPs in 3 days; he charges an extra Y500 for this. He bills the same surcharge to expedite new RP processing, but I found this to be meaningless because the preamble required a solid 10 days.