I (Canadian) had numerous one-year multiple-entry visas over the last few years. This year they only gave me a one year double-entry visa (90 days). This is the max that is now given to tourists (except Americans). No more multiple entry tourist visas. And how many entries you get and for how long depends on what you justify with your itinerary.

Maybe I can get Multiple for Business Visa?

There are still many ways to get good visas. Here are a few examples

-americans applying in the US
-find agent in publication like the beijinger or taobao (expensive but usually 1+ years with no days/stay restriction
-government m visa invite (can be bought on taboo or eBay)
-create wofe/fice and issue z visa to yourself (the shanghai free trade zone offers a way to do this that tie up a lot of registered capital and doesn't soak you on taxes, but you do need to rent a virtual office there)

Am filling out my visa application now (it has changed since last time, 2011). Is there a difference between "businessperson" and "company employee" in section 1.15? Either acceptable or a preference for one over the other? Asking for me (business visa, to attend meetings at Fudan University, with a letter of invitation from the University; I work for a University in the US), my husband (who will be applying for a tourist visa and runs his own company), as well as to put in the "family" section for my parents (I find it odd that as a 40-something yr old woman I have to enter my parent's info in 1.23, but whatever - you do what they want to get what you want:))

We are all Americans with US regular passports. I looked online and all the visa instructions I find just say "pick one" with no explanation of the differences.....

6 Months - Double Entry Visa.. Shocker after getting 2 1 Yr Multi Entry VISAs..

Weird nonetheless.. they have started many restrictions lately on Indians entering China.

Business person should be one who owns the business / company. Company Employees are just plain Company Employees !
Your husband is a businessman.

"Company employee" makes the most sense to me in your case, and the invitation letter from one of China's more prestigious universities should work like a charm.

That having been said, if the content of the letter pertains only to your planned trip, you might end up with an M visa that is less useful than the standard issue 12-month L visa. If, on the other hand, the letter includes elements such as "long term cooperation" or "stays for up to 60 days" (don't shoot for more if your visa history is week), you can score a 2 or 3 year M visa.

Will you have an opportunity to provide input about the letter? If so, feel free to contact me privately, and I'll help you check off the key requirements.

Are they paying your expenses or an honorarium? Ask your university hosts for visa advice. Also your home instutution might have a useful China center or similar for advice if you're at a major research university or a place with China partnerships.

I have the invitation letter but am sure I could get another if needed. It's actually quite similar to my 2011 letter (different university) and I got a 1yr multiple entry that time - all I should need but who knows. I wasn't expecting this trip. Though it seems that 60 or 90 days is more common now? Anyway, Fudan is not paying me an honorarium - just for the hotel, food during the meetings and my plane ticket (I believe the letter says something like "covering expenses during the meetings Sept X-X, 2014).

My department *is* the China center for our university, we've done a ton of work there in the past 5 years, so I've been working with them but I'm working from home today and thought I'd ask on FT. I can always double check with my co-workers (but we're entertaining some visitors from another Chinese university at the moment so my main contact is a little busy this week) I will definitely check with my co-workers before I send in the visa application (I still need confirmation of the hotel from Fudan, and to make my own hotel reservation for the rest of the week....)

PS For my husband - should I say Business Person as he'll be applying for tourist visa? He's not self-employed (it's an S Corp) but it is his own company....(and his parents, who started the company, would be Retired whatever I choose for my husband)....

Just when you think you know yourself, you have to fill out government forms and you don't know anything any more:p

Like I said in my last post, I would certainly ask the university hosts to show me their letter template. But, I would refrain from asking for "advice" because: 1) it's safe to say that they don't have a clue about current visa application requirements in the US; and 2) there is a danger that they would direct me down the path of least resistance, which would result in a crappy visa.

I suppose #2 could be a non-issue for hoyaheel if she has no plans on making additional trips to China, but if she does, she would be wise to make the best with the cards she has been dealt (a Fudan University invite carries a substantial amount of weight).

I was replying to MSP's post when your recent posts came in so this reply is a bit out of sync. In any event, here's how I would play it:

1) Figure out if the DC consulate (assuming you reside within their jurisdiction) is currently offering 3 year M visas (if they aren't, then stick with the 2-year plan)
2) Modify the letter to justify a 2 or 3 year visa
-pay special attention to the key points, and address all of them (not difficult)
3) In the proposed trips section, write in trips that support both the length of visa validity, and whatever days/stay requirement you shoot for
-this does not require any sort of detail (e.g. June 15, 2015 Shanghai)
-nobody cares if you actually take these trips
-the form only allows you to submit 5 trips, though it is possible to add a supplement
4) Get an original copy of the (finalized) invitation letter
-insist on letterhead and chop

Again, I'm happy to help further privately.

Regarding your husband, he will only get a 1-year L visa, and there is no need sweating about the details.

Thank you for the very specific advice!! I'll see what I can work out with all the players ;-)

I did some research on this topic for you yesterday and am convinced that you are basically a slam dunk for getting a 2-year visa if your letter supports the case (university professor is a HUGE carrot).

A 3 year visa might also be an option for you (same price as all other visas), but this is not widely publicized. When I got my last (2 year) visa in DC, the counter person suggested that I get a 3 year visa. However, since my letter (original in hand) and application were based on a 2 year plan, I decided not to rock the boat.

I'm sending you a letter template via PM.

ETA: The template I sent you nails all of the key points that were in effect one year ago, which the consular websites no longer mention. If you can confirm that 3 year M is on offer, then change the letter to reflect such, and add a "June 2017 to July 2017" trip to your list.

Thank you so much for the template! Should be very helpful.