JieJie and others--Thanks for recommending mychinavisa.com Application, etc. was sent to the NYC office on a Friday to arrive on Monday and the visa was delivered to me mid day the following Monday. This was regular (not express) service. I received a one year, multiple entry F visa. My only complaint is that My China Visa's on-line form does not allow for a zip code plus four which meant that I could not easily arrange for the visa to be delivered to my office. (Our office is in a large building without a central mailroom and the plus-four sends mail to the proper location.)

bump?

I don't remember any such posts. The only posts I can remember who confirm getting 2-year L visas were China-born, married to China-born, or ethnic Chinese background who caught the visa official on a good day. This was when the L category covered both tourist and "family visit" categories (since split under new rules).

I do know of those not fitting the above description, who have received 2-year F visas, when F was the "business" category (since changed to M category).

"Enter before" question
 

I understand that this has been discussed before, but since the wiki says "Be aware: China visa requirements and procedures changed 1 July 2013; do not rely on previously posted information for visa procedures after that date; check the last posts for any further information." and that discussion was just after the change, I thought I'd ask again. (Btw, I think the wiki meant "before that date" instead of "after that date"?)

Say the "Enter before" date is Apr 1st, we can enter China by Apr 1st 23:59, right?

Also, would they make any exception if the plane is delayed so that it's just past the deadline?

Thanks.

1) Yes.
2) No exception that we can promise. Please don't cut things this close. Move your travel forward one day.

Thanks!
My friend will have one day plus 7 hours before the deadline then. Hopefully this would be enough.

Must have been wishful thinking on my part, I suppose! To confirm, the longest duration multiple-entry tourist visa available now for non-China born or not married to China-born is 1-year? If I could manage an "M" (formerly "F") visa, then 2-year is sometimes possible?

The only people that I know of who has a 2-year visa in the US had a business visa and had numerous visas in previous years. No Chinese family link.

Yeah, there were various people that reported getting 2-year business visas. It's the 2-year tourist visas that require the Chinese ties.

3-year business visas are also on offer now.

Need some help with the new visa categories..

I've previously had 5 L visas (90day Multiple), but as I am now married to a Chinese citizen, I'm looking for the right class to renew into.

Am I eligible for a 24 month tourist visa? Is that the usual 90 day stay too? Or does this fall under the new 'S' category.

Just wondering if anyone's gone down this road yet.

Not S, it would be Q category. You and your wife should look at the application requirements and decide on whether Q vs L would be your best bet. I'd tend to think Q could give you longer durations of stay (or no limits on duration of stay). If getting 24-month length of visa is the priority, possibly ask a good visa agent on best chances of getting this on Q or L category--L might be a better bet for getting long duration with least hassle.

My girlfriend was born in China but not a Chinese citizen anymore. Her parents still live in China so she applied and received a Q visa. A Q visa has no duration as such (note that there are 2 kinds of Q visas, the Q1 for stays of more than 180 days and Q2 for shorter stays.
his is who Q1 applies to: "Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.”Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law."
All she needed was an invitation letter from her mother.
As I said, it has no duration as such although it actually says 30 days. What it means is that within 30 days you need to go to the local PSB and they will decide how long. If you get one year then you do not have to leave the country every 90 days or so. During the duration of the permit, you can leave and re-enter as you wish. You will be issued a residence permit. Note that they will first ask you to have a medical.

That's some good information regarding the Q visa. It looks like I'm inclined to go with the Q1 visa with an invitation and documentary.

Since it's fairly new, I don't know yet whether at the end of the 1yr temporary residence if I can simply renew, or have to do the visa dance again...

Now onto dealing with the NY consulate

Maybe you need to apply again but it is quite trouble-free, especially if you already showing one in your passport.