tmax Posted July 3, 2013 at 02:43 PM Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 at 02:43 PM I applied for an F visa extension 5 weeks ago. It usually takes 2-3 weeks. I now need my passport to go to another country indefinitely (and urgently). The PSB refuses to give a date of returning it, or a reason for a delay. I showed a flight ticket but they weren't interested. I cancelled my flight out of China this weekend. Other than waiting and ringing the PSB, what can I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdavid Posted July 4, 2013 at 12:25 AM Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 at 12:25 AM 2 - 3 weeks is standard. Unfortunately, you're fully at their mercy. The only alternative would be to bribe someone by taking them out to lunch to get information, or just straight up giving someone cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HedgePig Posted July 4, 2013 at 12:59 AM Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 at 12:59 AM Have you tried contacting your embassy? They may not be able to do anything but might at least be able to give you some advice. It's possible that they could even issue an emergency travel document. It's probably at least worth a try. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhouhaochen Posted July 4, 2013 at 06:45 AM Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 at 06:45 AM I would say pleading and begging. We managed to once have a visa expedited by showing the outward flight ticket, being very nice, sweet, friendly, and simply refusing to going away. At some point it becomes easier for them to do something about it than just continue trying to ignore you. Doing all that without making anyone angry is the difficult part, as once that happens, you wont get anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhouhaochen Posted July 4, 2013 at 06:48 AM Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 at 06:48 AM PS: Do NOT try to bribe anyone at the PSB. You might get into major problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted July 4, 2013 at 10:47 AM Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 at 10:47 AM Kdavid, tell us about your successful bribery experiences. OP: 1) Turn up at the PSB with your plane ticket and stay there until you have your passport. 2) Phone your consulate. Citizens separated from their passports are something they (should) actually take seriously, and they may well make a phone call or two. 3) I'm pretty sure emergency travel documents would only be issued for travel back to your home country. I'm kind of surprised you didn't get it back on first attempt. Where are you from, and is there any more to the story? Previous visa problems or anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmax Posted July 4, 2013 at 11:35 AM Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 at 11:35 AM Diplomatic pleading seems like a good idea. I was able to renew it before with no problem. I contacted my embassy and they said to wait. If I have to wait to much longer maybe I could ask them to ring for me. Thanks for the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted July 25, 2013 at 02:12 PM Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 at 02:12 PM That's three weeks, got your passport back yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmax Posted July 25, 2013 at 02:41 PM Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 at 02:41 PM Ah didnt update, sorry. Met a serious-looking PSB guy on July 9th who knew I was leaving urgently and he gave me a 10-day visa to do so (got the passport back after 28 working days in the end); in S. Korea now. I was just about to ask him if I could cancel my f visa extension and apply for just an exit visa .. if such a thing is possible, before he offered the visa. Totally not comfortable being without my passport so long even if I was not leaving the country. I have a feeling F visa renewals might be more difficult in future. Perhaps I got out just in time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted July 25, 2013 at 02:46 PM Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 at 02:46 PM Thanks for following up, good luck wherever you're going.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and select your username and password later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.