No More F Multi Entry Visas?
 

Saw this recent article that China will not issue anymore F multi entry visas until
after the Olympics. Wonder why?

I got declined a 2 year last year, when I previously had a 2 year. They closin up the country like back in 1949? Hope not!:confused:


http://shanghaiist.com/2008/04/01/the_multipleent.php

Yeah, it's pretty much true now unless you have extreme guanxi somewhere and/or a well-known company or institution going to bat for you. In fact, since early March, most F's are only being issued (or extended) until July 1. And most are now only single entry. I've heard of a few 6 month multi-entries being issued but with 30-day stay limitations. To get a new F, the PSB has for the most part put a stop to doing it while staying in China--now you have to leave China and then return. They are cracking down all over China with foreigners staying long-term and/or working on F's, which they aren't supposed to be doing. I think part of this is due to upcoming Olympics, part is just tightening up in general. A lot of foreigners are literally having to leave due to no legit way of staying.

The other thing that they have gone over the top about is the Temporary Registration of your residence at the local police station, within 24 hours of your arrival into China (in Beijing and many other places, a few jurisdictions give you 72 hours). If you aren't staying in a hotel that will automatically do the registration for you, you need to make sure and do this, even if only around for several days. Since late last year, there are many reports in Beijing of police showing up in major residential building lobbies, asking to see foreigners' papers, and also some random stops on the street. Usually in groups. Fines are being levied (RMB 500 per day) for not registering. They now have computer infrastructure to track foreigners better than ever.

Unclear how much of these new policies will linger after the Games.

Sounds like they are just trying to temporarily keep out those that think they
can make a quick buck off the Olympics. That's one expensive party they are putting on and if you aren't on the list...you ain't gettin in.

It's easy for everyone to use the Olympics as an excuse/immediate precipitating factor, but I think this new initiative goes beyond that and aspects will stick even after the Olympics has gone. Some sample targets of the authorities' ire (that have nothing to do with the Games): Filipino and Indonesian nannies, fake "businessmen", western workers and English teachers not on proper work visas and therefore not paying tax....etc. The list goes on. Most of these people aren't causing any problems, but the Chinese visa system has in the past been pretty lax on allowing people to come/go and stay, particularly with F visas and especially on those whose F's are a bit gray market--unsponsored by a legit business, study, research organization. This is changing, and while they might loosen a bit in October, I doubt the rampant issuance of F visas (esp 6+ months and multientry) will ever be as freewheeling as before. The Public Security Bureau and police upgraded their computers within the last year and are more tied together for tracking who's got what visa and who's living where.

As for the Olympics, currently there is an equal or bigger push to send all Chinese who aren't holding permanent or temporary-but-long-term Beijing residence out of town before mid-July. Despite official pronouncements to the contrary, I think Beijing city officials will put restrictions on internal travel by Chinese to Beijing during the Games, unless they are on business or holding actual tickets to attend.

What the OP said is true, which is kind of inconvenient for me. However, the situtation in the US is still good. So, I'm planning on getting another 2-year F there upon my next trip back. For an extra $50 in Fedex fees, I could accomplish the same without leaving China (I've sort of confirmed this), but since I have a PEK-JAX ticket that expires 4/30, I'm planning on doing it in America (it's much, much cheaper there, even with all of the sillly fees).

You'd better call them first. I just talked to a visa agent in Frankfurt. They were still able to get 1 year multiple, max length of each stay 90 days in february. Yesterday I heard they now only can get 30 days single entry.

This is really bad news, if true. First, BJ clamped down,... but it was still possible to get 1-year visas in other parts of China (and local visa agents could get stuff done there). Then, other cities followed suit. Then, prices went through the roof (e.g. $600 for a 6-month visa).

So, I've been banking on using a US agent (at $300, all in, for a 2-year visa, a comparative bargain). Assuming I can't pull that off, I have no clue what to do. Perhaps, HK is still good.

My agent in HK just got me a 6 month multiple entry L visa. Stay limit is 30 days I think...

Assuming that's the best you could do, it's terrible news. I'm increasingly tempted to pay the $600 and get the 6-month F (with no stay restrictions) here, but I plan on making some phone calls tonight.

Dont know if that's the "best" I could do, but its what the agent got me. I asked for a business visa, longest term possible (which is now 6 months, I guess). Cost my firm about 1700 HKD, make of it what you will.

Anyway that was last week, and from this week no more multiples (Except maybe HK permanent ID card holders). The best you can get is 3 months double. So better go for it today, tomorrow you might not get any.
I for my part don't play this game since I don't have to go.
A real achievement for China the Olympics, aren't they.

My wife (Chinese with German citizienship) said after she talked to the visa office in Shanghai today: They treated me like they did in the cultural revolution.

Erm, got my visa 2 weeks ago. Definitely not an HK Permanent resident, though I do have an HK ID.

I am sure they (the gov't) have their own version of the story somewhere.

As for treatment of other people, I will not bother to venture there as things will get too political too quickly even if I make a relatively apolitical statement.

I think I will apply for The Hong Kong QMAS. That could be a backup if this
visa situation gets worse in the future.(worked for Zhang Ziyi). Plus its free to apply.
Tried for a China Green card when they started that a few years ago..I think
they issued 600 since then, forget that option.

By the time something happens maybe most of the factories will all have moved to Vietnam and Cambodia so no need to go to China anyway.

Only 15 days visa for China now.
 

My wife talked to the guys of Japan Travel in Hong Kong today. They applied 30 and 90 days visa for their customers and were most surprised that the only thing they could get was 15 days since yesterday. It's getting really ridiculous.

The focus of this thread is F visa, right, though some have apparently tried for F and got L? I'm not clear on the circumstances, but getting an L when you want an F seems like a poor result.

As I mentioned in another thread, getting a 1 year, multientry L with 60 day stays is no problem at the San Francisco consulate.

Do any of you long term China business folk get Z? Any advantage or all disadvantages?