Visa questions

Hi Gonzo,

According to your profile, you are in the United States and don't plan to come to China until 2023.  Due to the pandemic, policies are in a constant flux, so it is hard to know what they will be in 2023, but I can give you an idea of what it is like now.

To stay for a year and a half, you would have to work, open your own company or have high amounts of investments in China. Anyone coming now needs to process emergency paperwork and meet a lot of requirements.  Once you arrive you would need to quarantine; that leads to extra expenses.

On the United States side, you can get in contact with the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce.  Siva has a very good relationship with the Chinese consulates and embassy and has been successful at processing paperwork.  He is also very familiar with the options available. (www.usccc.org: contact info is in the footer)

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Hope it goes well!
Jim

Thanks Jim.

The links are not showing yet, but I will check them out when they do.

When you say "investment", that varies widely in different countries. Does this mean I simply have a bank account of a certain size? Or must I invest in a CN company? I'm mostly retired, but still dabble with starting companies.

I look forward to talking with someone who can help me navigate this. It sounds like the best solution might be for me to just get a job... ;-).

Mike.

China is a very accommodating nation. However they do follow the rules in the strictest fashion.  So to be blunt, do NOT plan on coming to China to do any kind of work, unless you will go ahead and get a Z-visa. If you are found to be working, and do not have a Z-visa you will be deported.

Since your plans include you working, I would advise you to obtain the Z-visa first. That is usually the hardest visa to obtain. Then, all the other visas for your family can subsequently follow yours.

I do wish you the best, but do not be under the mistaken belief that an attorney can "negotiate" on your behalf when you don't fit within the basic guidelines. China is not the Untied States. Laws are few, but they ARE rigid. An attorney would take your money, certainly, but you will not be permitted to stay within China in violation of law.

Not at all interested in breaking laws... not sure what I wrote that would infer otherwise.

My hope is to speak with an attorney who can explain the laws. My situation is not typical.

M.