Happier Abroad Forum Community

droid wrote:1)
Is it possible to obtain a Tourist-visa that lets you stay for more than 30 days, by showing sufficient funds in your bank account or similar leverage?
I wanted to avoid having to run for extensions while in unfamiliar ground. I asked this same question to one of those visa agencies but they never replied.

droid wrote:Alright guys, I wasn't sure if I should open a thread for this.
I hope it's not #987613 on the subject, but I scoured through the guides and couldn't find this.

I have a couple weeks left on my job, and then I'll probably go to South-America for a few weeks before finalizing the grunt-work for China.

I'm still trying to decide the type of entry I'll make in the mainland, as I want to enter a University to study Chinese at least for a semester.
But most classes won't start until February, so let me ask you:


1)
Is it possible to obtain a Tourist-visa that lets you stay for more than 30 days, by showing sufficient funds in your bank account or similar leverage?
I wanted to avoid having to run for extensions while in unfamiliar ground. I asked this same question to one of those visa agencies but they never replied.

No. Single entry tourist Visas are up to three months, double entry Visas are two months. If you want to stay longer than that, you will need a work Visa (Z Visa), a business Visa (F) or Student Visa (X Visa). It doesn't matter if you are a millionaire, you won't get in to the country without a proper Visa--and you won't get extended without a proper reason e.g. work, business, studying and teaching, etc.

2)
Is it any better to apply for said visa in person at the consulate, in order to have a better chance of getting a longer stay period?
I'm probably be going to Texas soon, so I have a good chance to do this.

It doesn't matter; I use an agency to make the process faster but you won't get an extended Visa either way.

3)
Is it better to be currently-employed at the time of application? Since I'm leaving my job soon, it's a concern.

I was unemployed at the time I applied for my first Chinese Visa, so no, it doesn't matter.

4)
I had a 1-year multi-entry business visa a couple years ago through my employer (that was the nice trip I always talk about).
How much can this precedent help in getting a better deal this time around?

The Visa process will go much faster than before, because the Chinese embassy will already have a file on you.

5)
I've read that you can change from a tourist to a student visa once you register at the university. Can someone please confirm?

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php ... tudy-visa/

6)
The reason I will study, instead of doing English-teaching type of stuff is that I really need some time off, I'm really sick of putting 12-hour days at work here (but i'll probably still write my pet-project code lol).
As far as Universities go, I've looked at several possibilities and found this page called "cucas"

http://school.cucas.edu.cn/course?sid=189&tag=0-8

is this cucas page trustable?

I don't know?

7)
I think Jinan university looks like the more convenient. I really don't care that much about quality, as I'm pretty autodidactic anyways.
The whoole thing is just more of an excuse for the move and to have an 'operating base'

Teaching at a university is usually a good idea...

You can get 90 days for a single stint, or you can get up to 60 days if you have a multiple entry visa. You get 90 days automatically with the US passport in Japan and Taiwan, and I think that it's 30 days in South Korea.

No. Single entry tourist Visas are up to three months, double entry Visas are two months.

Teaching at a university is usually a good idea...