Originally Posted by Insiderdude (Post 26979737)

Quick question: I currently have a 10 year L tourist visa (with 8 years left). I have to go to PEK/PVG to give a few speeches for my professional association (completely voluntary), and otherwise not doing anything for profit or for my company/clients. Can I enter on my L visa or do I have to go get a separate 10 year business visa? (I'll be doing this for the next few years, visiting China on behalf of the professional association 1-2x/year, thus needing multiple entries for this purpose). I saw some posts here where 10 year business visa holders went in for tourism and were ok, but what about the other way around (if giving speeches for a volunteer role even qualifies as business to begin with)?

Originally Posted by 889 (Post 26980135)

You can do tourist stuff on an M visa, but business stuff on a L visa you shouldn't do. I'd certainly never check anything other than "sightseeing" on the entry form with an L visa.

If this is going to be going on for a few years, just put your mind at ease and get an M visa. That'll mean they'll cancel your existing L visa.

Originally Posted by 889 (Post 26980135)

I'd certainly never check anything other than "sightseeing" on the entry form with an L visa.

Originally Posted by JPDM (Post 26984711)

You're overthinking this. Just click leisure.

Originally Posted by 889 (Post 26980135)

You can do tourist stuff on an M visa, but business stuff on a L visa you shouldn't do. I'd certainly never check anything other than "sightseeing" on the entry form with an L visa.

If this is going to be going on for a few years, just put your mind at ease and get an M visa. That'll mean they'll cancel your existing L visa.

Originally Posted by Insiderdude (Post 26984995)

Thanks for the replies: So they will cancel my multientry L visa if I apply for a multientry M visa? Does anyone have (or seen an example of) both in their passports?

Originally Posted by televisor (Post 26903391)

Also, as a UK citizen I would now be eligible for the 2 year Visa, does anyone have any experience getting this while applying from another country? It would be annoying to get charged the higher UK fee (which is flat across all visa categories, i.e. single/double/multi), and still only get a single entry Visa - but I'm guessing I don't have much choice in the matter (I won't be in the UK until after my China trip).

Originally Posted by m3red (Post 26931299)

We are both travelling to the uk soon and was wondering if it would make a difference if we got the visa in London or in Dubai.

Originally Posted by sooperscoop (Post 27001857)

To answer televisor and of interest to m3red, I understand the 2-year L multi for Brits is only issued in the UK. I live in Korea and I ask the visa place everytime and they say no, 2 entry L only.

I'd love it if someone could prove me wrong. :)

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 27003223)

UK and US citizens always pay full blown fees for PRC visas no matter where they apply. The type of visa has no bearing on price (for the most part).

Originally Posted by televisor (Post 27003405)

It does for "other nationalities" - $30 for single entry, $60 for double, more for multi. And my local consulate doesn't even list UK citizen prices, which is why I'm trying to figure out what they'll charge me. Its a bummer if I get charged an exorbitant reciprocal fee without getting reciprocal service. (Reciprocal being the 2 year Visa UK/Chinese citizens get for each others countries.) Not that I can do much about it, but still...

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 27003440)

Right, but "other nationalities" is only relevant if you happen to be one. For me, as a US citizen, a zero entry exit visa is the exact same price as a 10 year M visa.