Best China Visa - Married to PRC Citizen

[digiteltim 5]

Hello,

My wife and I are currently living here in USA. We are waiting for her AOS approval from a K1 visa. We are thinking about moving back to China for my work, and also to have children. Any advice on what China visa type is best for me, the USC? I will be working and living. I see that there is now a "Green Card" process for China.

[bigdog 376]

I am not an expert by any means but I would wait till you get her AOS completed. Then you have to remove the conditions. As far as China is concerned you can get a 10 year multiple entry (I went this route) or the Green card. Dragging her back to China might pose issues with her US status, find a expert at VJ or an attorney. Good Luck.

[RandyW 149]

Visas for residents are administered at your local PSB in China

I entered in Feb. 2015 on a Q1 visa from the Chinese consulate in Houston, which allowed me 30 days to get to the PSB and apply for a resident permit. The resident permit allows unlimited stays (no border hops needed to renew), but is only good for 1 to 3 years (I'm over 60, so I got the 3 years - I will need to visit the PSB to renew again in 2018). But check again with your own PSB to find out how much time you will need to spend in China each year. You will probably need to renew at the PSB each time.

A Q2 is a visitor's visa, which will allow up to 180 day stays for up to 10 years for visitation of family members, and is awarded at the Chinese Consulate in the U.S. Ask at the PSB to find out if they will allow you to extend your stay beyond the 180 days. I was told at the Consulate in Houston that I could NOT use the Q2 to convert to a resident permit, so I went with the Q1.

Prior to this year, the PSB had given me unlimited stay L-visas or resident permits (their choice), which I had to renew every 1 or 2 years. My previous resident permit expired while I was in the U.S., which is why I had to get the Q1 to return.

Yes, "green cards" are available, but rare. I've heard of only a handful of foreigners who are working independently in China - I'm not sure if they have green cards, or some other work authorization.

[digiteltim 5]

Visas for residents are administered at your local PSB in China

I entered in Feb. 2015 on a Q1 visa from the Chinese consulate in Houston, which allowed me 30 days to get to the PSB and apply for a resident permit. The resident permit allows unlimited stays (no border hops needed to renew), but is only good for 1 to 3 years (I'm over 60, so I got the 3 years - I will need to visit the PSB to renew again in 2018). But check again with your own PSB to find out how much time you will need to spend in China each year. You will probably need to renew at the PSB each time.

A Q2 is a visitor's visa, which will allow up to 180 day stays for up to 10 years for visitation of family members, and is awarded at the Chinese Consulate in the U.S. Ask at the PSB to find out if they will allow you to extend your stay beyond the 180 days. I was told at the Consulate in Houston that I could NOT use the Q2 to convert to a resident permit, so I went with the Q1.

Prior to this year, the PSB had given me unlimited stay L-visas or resident permits (their choice), which I had to renew every 1 or 2 years. My previous resident permit expired while I was in the U.S., which is why I had to get the Q1 to return.

Yes, "green cards" are available, but rare. I've heard of only a handful of foreigners who are working independently in China - I'm not sure if they have green cards, or some other work authorization.

That is great information. I was thinking that a Q1 visa would be the way to go, and using that to get a residency permit will be great. It is my understanding that you can not earn money while on anything but a Z visa. So I guess despite our marriage, there is not way for me to live and work without getting a Z visa. I would have to convert to a Z through my employer once I begin to work.

[RandyW 149]

To work in China, you will need a WORK PERMIT. Talk to your PSB and/or prospective employer about what is required for this.

A Z-visa only allows you to enter the country - and then apply for the work permits and resident permits within 30 days. If you're already there, the Z-visa may not be necessary.

But basically it's the PSB that administers both your work permit AND your resident permit. Talk to THEM and your employer about what is required.

[digiteltim 5]

Yes. I used to have a work permit before, but I entered on a Z visa and my employer took care of everything.

[msittig 1]

> Dragging her back to China might pose issues with her US status, find a expert at VJ or an attorney. Good Luck.

Don't ignore this important sentence.