Visa Run: China
Location: Beijing, China
Local Time: Wednesday, May 22, 2006 - 15:37
So, because I spent a week in China before starting Mandarin lessons, and I signed up for 4 weeks of lessons, I need a slight extension to my visa so I can stay long enough to finish the lessons before fleeing China for sunny Thailand, home of the delectable delicacy, sticky rice and mango.
So, for the past few days I've been talking, asking, checking, and over all attempting to discover what labrinth of red tape needs to be negotiated in order to extend a stay in China.
At first blush I needed passport photos with pale blue background, registration of residency (which you get by going to the police) and proof of $3000 USD. Well, the passport photos I normally carry around. Surpisingly they are often requested. There are more pictures of me scattered around Asia than there are in my mom's photography albums. In most of them I look gaunt, unshaven and a look as though I'm about to go out and run over puppies.
Which is natural because at the time the photos are being taken, I'm gaunt, unshaven and unhappy because I'm on the wrong end of a camera.
But I digress.
Next, registration with the local police. It isn't enough that my bags are searched when I arrived in the hostel (didn't I mention that?) and there is a constant police prescence in the lobby (because those darn dodgy looking foreigners, they could go nuts and do anything, like flushing toilets or god knows what).
Nope, now I have to register. Well, someone from the school called my hostel and chatted with them. As it turns out, I'm already registered with the local police. (1984 or 2006?) So, my hostel is able to easily supply me with the certificate of residency.
Next, proof of $3000 USD. They accept a presentation of cash or travellers cheques.
Hmmm.
As it turns out, an alternative exists. The best way to get a long visa in China, or to renew a visa is to be studying with an accomodating school. Before coming to China, the school will write you a letter so you can get a year visa, instead of 30 days. And once here, a good school (http://www.easyou.com.cn) will assist with your visa renewal, by going to the PSB with you, and telling the the police that you don't need to show $3000 in cash because you are studying Chinese with the school, and the school already has all your money so you are broke.
Now accepting donations.
Local Time: Wednesday, May 22, 2006 - 15:37
So, because I spent a week in China before starting Mandarin lessons, and I signed up for 4 weeks of lessons, I need a slight extension to my visa so I can stay long enough to finish the lessons before fleeing China for sunny Thailand, home of the delectable delicacy, sticky rice and mango.
So, for the past few days I've been talking, asking, checking, and over all attempting to discover what labrinth of red tape needs to be negotiated in order to extend a stay in China.
At first blush I needed passport photos with pale blue background, registration of residency (which you get by going to the police) and proof of $3000 USD. Well, the passport photos I normally carry around. Surpisingly they are often requested. There are more pictures of me scattered around Asia than there are in my mom's photography albums. In most of them I look gaunt, unshaven and a look as though I'm about to go out and run over puppies.
Which is natural because at the time the photos are being taken, I'm gaunt, unshaven and unhappy because I'm on the wrong end of a camera.
But I digress.
Next, registration with the local police. It isn't enough that my bags are searched when I arrived in the hostel (didn't I mention that?) and there is a constant police prescence in the lobby (because those darn dodgy looking foreigners, they could go nuts and do anything, like flushing toilets or god knows what).
Nope, now I have to register. Well, someone from the school called my hostel and chatted with them. As it turns out, I'm already registered with the local police. (1984 or 2006?) So, my hostel is able to easily supply me with the certificate of residency.
Next, proof of $3000 USD. They accept a presentation of cash or travellers cheques.
Hmmm.
As it turns out, an alternative exists. The best way to get a long visa in China, or to renew a visa is to be studying with an accomodating school. Before coming to China, the school will write you a letter so you can get a year visa, instead of 30 days. And once here, a good school (http://www.easyou.com.cn) will assist with your visa renewal, by going to the PSB with you, and telling the the police that you don't need to show $3000 in cash because you are studying Chinese with the school, and the school already has all your money so you are broke.
Now accepting donations.
posted by Jaye | 1:09 PM
1 Comments:
should i mail you some beef steaks, my mom told me not to put cash in the mail sorry man.Besides with all that ed-u-ma-cation you already have i was kinda hoping you could support me by now.ttyl DINBC
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