Updated December 17, 2020
I have just lodged my new Chinese visa (literally: residence permit, the multiple entry visa, work visa) application in Shanghai.
The experience was a bit similar to my previous visa application as I wrote in the previous posts:
- Chinese Residence Permit Application & Renewal
- Police Registration & Renewing Residence Permit Multiple Entry Visa
In this quick post, I’ll point out some of the new experiences and learnings.
Documents Required
My employer had provided me all the required documents (e.g. copy of the latest work permit) and information. However, I was supposed to do two things by myself (i.e. alone):
- Get the latest certificate of accommodation registration from the nearby police station (Pai Chu Suo 派出所).
- Go to the immigration office to apply for the visa.
Police Certificate
Every time we apply for a Chinese residence permit (in the mainland China), we need to provide a police certificate of accommodation registration along with the visa application. In order to obtain the certificate, we need to bring passport and the original housing contract (He Tong 合同) to the police station.
This time, I visited the police station alone.
It was a fine morning. At the entrance of the police station, I was welcomed by a security guard. My body temperature was checked (because of the Covid-19 pandemic). I had to write my contact information and body temperature in a booklet. I was asked to put on a face mask all the time.
Once I reached inside the police station, I got my queue number. I was the only person looking for the certificate. So there wasn’t any waiting period. The lady police office was very friendly. She took my passport, scanned my last residence permit, and cheeked for the immigration seal to confirm if I have been outside China recently (we need to register at the local police station after each overseas trip, or pay the fine). Soon, she issued me a new certificate. I got the accommodation registration certificate within a few minutes. Free service!
Btw, it’s recommended to provide a latest police certificate with your visa application (I’m not sure if a few months/years old certificate would suffice).
Chinese Visa Application at Immigration Office
I went to the immigration office alone (in the afternoon: I took a half-day leave from my work). Everything went fine. I didn’t bring photocopies of the documents despite being informed in advance (the photocopy machine in my office has some problem). I got all the photocopies done in the immigration office (free service). The copies included:
- Photocopy of the main page of passport.
- Last residence permit.
- Copy of seal of the latest exit/entry to China.
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Photograph
At the immigration office, there are a few automated machines (kiosk) to click the appropriate passport size photos. We just need to enter the country name (nationality) and passport number; the digital photo is automatically delivered to the immigration officer handling your application process. It’s really nice and smart service. Free.
Residence Permit (Visa) Application Fee
After I submitted the application, the immigration officer kept my passport. I was given a receipt. The receipt had a QR code. Then, I had to pay the fee by scanning the QR code.
I just scanned the QR code on the receipt of the application. The immigration officer initially told me that only cash and WeChat payment (Weixin Zhifu 微信支付) was accepted. However, she recommend me to try AliPay (Zhifu Bao 支付宝). I tried and it worked. I paid RMB 400 using AliPay.
It seems that the residence permit (visa) fee is RMB 400 for a period anything less than one year. For anything from 1 to 3 years, the fee is RMB 800. I am not sure about the fee for a residence permit valid for more than 3 years (never did I have a 3+ years residence permit). 🙂
Duration of Visa Application Processing?
When do we get the passport back? It takes 15 working days.
Final Thoughts
I am more than glad to have finished the application process (largely) by myself. Earlier, I used to ask someone to help. Well, earlier, it would have been next to impossible to apply for visa by myself, however, this time I managed to do so.
While returning from the immigration office, I stopped in the shopping street and enjoyed different traditional Chinese food.
Overall, it was a pleasant experience to apply for the residence permit in the mainland China.
