Updated October 16, 2020
Well, my work contract has been extended by 3 months. So, I just applied (September 2020) for renewing my Chinese residence permit, the multiple entry visa of China. In this post, I’ll quickly take you through the whole process of applying for a Chinese residence permit in Shanghai.
What Is A Chinese Residence Permit?
The residence permit is basically a multiple entry visa of China. Generally, before you come to China for work, you’ll need to apply for a Z category visa in your country of residence. Then, you can fly to China with a Z visa. Once in China, you have to apply for a residence permit within 30 days of your arrival in China.
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Documents Required?
Following documents are required to apply for the Chinese residence permit:
- Passport,
- Latest photo,
- Latest police registration form, and
- Work permit card.
Often, the photo taking machines are available in the immigration office. In my case, it was free. However, as a precautionary measure, it’s better to bring a colored photo (no eyeglasses).
I covered details of the Chinese police registration process in the following blog-post:
The work permit is applied by your employer, before you come to China. A copy of work permit is required to apply for a Z category visa.
However, after you come to China on Z visa, your employer needs to apply for a work permit card. This card is a physical card. You’ll need to provide a copy of this card when you apply for a residence permit. Make sure to carry the card to the immigration office whenever you come for a visa related issue.
Btw, the work permit card can be used as an ID proof at quite a few selected places in China, such as museums.
Validity Of Chinese Residence Permit?
Well, the validity of your word permit is same as the duration of your work contract. Not even a day more, not a day less. And you already know that the residence permit is given for your work. Basically, the validity of residence permit is same as the validity of your work permit.
Since my work contract was for 3 years, my work permit has been valid for three years. So is the case with the residence permit.
Now my job has been extended for three months, so my work permit is also extended for exactly 3 months. Not to mention, my new residence permit will be issued with a validity for only three upcoming months.
When To Renew Residence Permit?
When you should apply for residence permit renewal?
You should apply before the expiry of your current residence permit. For example, if your residence permit expires on 25th Sep, you are fine as long as you apply for renewal on 25th Sep (or the preceding last working day).
How Long It Takes To Get The Residence Permit?
One you visit the immigration office, and lodge the application, it takes 15 working days. Meanwhile, they’ll keep your passport during this entire period. Obviously, 15 working day means you’ll need to hand over your passport for at least 19 days (count Saturdays, Sundays).
In my case, I applied in September. And the national holidays are approaching (1st October to 8th October). So, it’ll take nearly 28 days before I get my passport back. Basically, I can’t travel outside my city during the October holidays.
Residence Permit Renewal Fee
I paid RMB 400 by swiping my Chinese debit card (Bank of Communication). WeChat payments are accepted as well. However, they don’t accept payment by Alipay.
Penalty For Overstaying Residence Permit?
Fortunately, the customer representative spoke very good English. I asked her quite many questions about the Chinese visa and residence permit renewal. I asked this question to the representative. She said RMB 500/day.
Covid-19 Chinese Visa Extension FAQ?
I had a long discussion about this with the immigration representative.
She said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, for all the residence permit holders, who got the residence permit before March 2020, the visa is renewed automatically for next 2 months (beyond the initial expiry date). Further, this extension is given only once. Beyond that, we (foreigners) are expected to leave the country. In my case, since I am renewing my residence permit for 3 months, I won’t be given the aforesaid 2-month extension.
However, there are very limited international flights going out of China. So, what if I have no job, and still can’t leave China? I mean, what if I have to stay in China beyond the three-month long validity of my new residence permit? I raised this issue to the representative.
Well, it seems that, due to lack of international flights, we can extend the visa for 30 days (you can apply on the very last day of visa expiry date), then again extend for 30 days (similar to a tourist visa). We can keep doing this. Each extension will require submission of passport in the immigration office for 7 working days. We need to pay the visa fee every time. Not to mention, Chinese visa, irrespective of its category (tourist visa or Z visa or residence permit), consumes a one full page of your passport.
Covid-19 sucks!
Update October 2020
Finally, I have collected my Chinese residence permit. As expected, it’s valid for just over two months from now (expiring in December). At the visa center, I wanted to check out the process of extending my visa for a few more months (in case I don’t have a job after the current visa expires, and no flight to go back home). Unfortunately, this time there was no English speaking representative in the visa application center. I had to talk to the Chinese speaking representatives (all females). It turned out that there was some miscommunication last time (in September). Basically, there is no tourist visa after a residence permit expires. At most, I can be granted a 30 day visa, that too, only if I have confirmed international flight/train/boat ticket to leave China. I asked the representative, “what if there is no flight to leave China”, she said, “It’s your problem”. Really a rude response.
Final Thoughts
Apply for renewing Chinese residence permit on time. You have to initiate the process at least one month before the expiry of your residence permit. Why one month? Well, because the residence permit renewal application requires a work permit. The work permit extension process takes more than two weeks. Then there are quite many holidays in China. The penalties are high for overstaying your visa. Don’t ever overstay your visa, in any country.
Will be glad to answer questions related to living and working in China.
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