Thorn Tree travel forum

1

You should be able to extend each entrance once for 30 days but as I understand it, it is impossible to change your visa to one that is 120 days. In fact, even a single entry 90 day visa is difficult to obtain outside of China.

There are 6 month multiple entry visas available in Hong Kong for a price. Try searching this branch and the web.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

2

Those visas are, unfortunately, unavailable for Americans. Americans with F visas like #1 recommends must exit the country every month.

3

I was at the PSB in Lijiang this morning and they were unhelpful (though not unfriendly). Just kept repeating, "you must go out of China and come back."

As I understand it, anyone can get a 30-day extension; however, that would put my exit time at April 15, and my 2nd entry to China must be before March 28 (90 days from the date of issue). So that doesn't really help - I'd just lose my 2nd entry that way.

So, new question: if I get a 30-day extension, does my date of validity also move back 30 days? As it is now, i have to leave by 15 March and re-enter by 28 March; could I get it changed to leave on 15 April and re-entery by 28 April with 60 days' stay?

I'm planning to be in Tibet in early- to mid-March, and my goal is to avoid exiting through Nepal and an expensive flight from there back into China (i'd love to go there - just not on a rushed visa-run!) Any other ideas? I'd prefer to travel back into Chengdu and then head down to the border of Laos for my exit/re-entry instead.

(Everbrite, I guess the fact that I got a different sort of visa makes searching useless... last time I mentioned my visa, the only response I got to my question was an accusation that I hadn't understood it! Thanks for the help.)

4

I had a double entry visa two years ago and it clearly stated that the two entries had to be within 180 days of the date of issue and that there was no adjustment to this.

Seems to me that you will have to change your plans or leave and get a new visa.

Even if you go to Tibet, you cannot extend your visa there nor can you get a new visa.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

5

I was able to obtain year long multiple entry visa when I was in San Francisco. I have to leave the country every 60 days and come back, but it is possible. It took a bit of persuasion. The thing that I think worked for me is that I told them that I had already bought a ticket to China and my return date was well beyond the amount of the visa they were going to give me. I was also trying to be super polite. In terms of visas for China I think that it is based on such an individual case by case situation. but anyway, good luck

6

buddah - when was this? It would appear that no one with a US passport is getting this type of visa anymore.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

7

I have a British passport and came into China on a double-entry visa a couple of years ago. When I went to the PSB in Beijing, they told me that if I wanted to extend my first visit to 90 days, I would have to lose my second entry altogether - their extension completely voided my re-entry.