Originally Posted by HGF (Post 25976030)

Well before, the L visa covered the situation that a Q visa is now for, so an L visa was intended to allow visits to relatives before. With the split, I didn't know if I could visit relatives and stay with them on an L visa now or if I needed to get a Q. At least how I interpreted the visa definitions was that if there are separate visas for visiting people in China, then if you have an L visa, you are not visiting anyone and thus have to stay in a hotel or some other sort of accommodation that is not someone's private home.

Originally Posted by HGF (Post 25976030)

Well before, the L visa covered the situation that a Q visa is now for, so an L visa was intended to allow visits to relatives before. With the split, I didn't know if I could visit relatives and stay with them on an L visa now or if I needed to get a Q. At least how I interpreted the visa definitions was that if there are separate visas for visiting people in China, then if you have an L visa, you are not visiting anyone and thus have to stay in a hotel or some other sort of accommodation that is not someone's private home.

Originally Posted by Loren Pechtel (Post 25981439)

Our last trip was after the Qs were introduced. We got 10-year Ls, private address, not a night in a hotel. No problem. I really wish they would make up their mind if they want a photocopy of the visa or not--bring one, they don't need it. Don't bring one, they ask for it.

Originally Posted by qpr (Post 25794943)

You can apply for a 1 year Q 2 visa (multi entries). Got mine a few days ago from the chinese embassy in Berlin.

Originally Posted by 31570324 (Post 25982377)

How long will this visa be valid? 12 month from the date of issue, but will it be possible to enter china on the last day and stay another 30 days or you have to leave within the 12 month?

Originally Posted by qpr (Post 25985961)

You can enter China on the last day and stay there as long as the duration of each stay.

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 25987229)

This is not always the case. If the visa doesn't contain the language "enter before [DATE]", you need to leave China on/before the expiration date.

Originally Posted by qpr (Post 25988589)

We´re speaking about a visa issued in Germany and they always have "enter before".
Never saw any other in the past years. ;)

Also spoke with a friend who runs a travel agency and deals with visa every day.
The same answer from him. :)

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 25988615)

If you were to apply with a passport from a South/Southeast Asian or African country, there's a good chance you'd receive a hard expiry visa (from a Germany based consulate).

Originally Posted by Jiatong (Post 25999737)

Just did get a 10 year L visa, (60 day ) in Chicago, i used China Visa solutions agency on Grand. Had a 2 year F visa, (90 day ) in the passport but it expired so thought i would try for the 10 year. Glad all went well.

Originally Posted by worldiswide (Post 26003001)

Interesting data point on visa. My daughter decided to join my spouse and I on a trip to Shanghai later this month. We got our visas last month. Takes her paperwork in this am with a hotel reservation in her dad's name. Official Asks her where she is staying, she says with my parents ..at first they don't want to take the paperwork, then tell her she needs to bring in her dad's passport in when she picks hers up so they can see his visa.

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 25999772)

Did you request 90/120/180? If so, were you given a 2-option for this?