Johnny20270 Posted July 24, 2013 at 04:11 PM Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 at 04:11 PM Hi all, I’m not sure which is the best way to do this but perhaps you can help. I want to go to China to study and experience life for up to a year & Ideally want a muti-entry visas However I’m not particularly interested in a full time university language course because (a) I’m 40 and not overly keen to be a full time student again (b) I’m more interested in having a years career break and enjoy China greatly, not to achieve a qualification, HSK level etc and © my partner is a qualified mandarin language teacher & translator but not a lot of spare time (or desire) to teach me Hence I would like to do a part time course or private language course via a private tutor. My partner is working full time so attend a part time course she can top up what the course lacks on. Now the issue is the visa. I could apply for a 6 double month entry visa. I rang the consulate in London and they said it is possible to get a 90 day stay as apposed to a 30 or 60 day stay. This would mean that I could potentially stay in China up to 6 months, (or 4 months if a 60days per entry) if visa granted. I could then check the universities, see which is the most appropriate for me and then apply for a 6 month or even 12month study visa while I’m in china [or] Just apply directly for 1 year multi entry study visa. The issues with this method is that (a) most start in September. I will be going in November (need to quit my job first) and (b) after 2 months I might decide there is too much study and leaves me no time to travel, spend time pottering about Be great if anybody has any thoughts on this. Any comments greatly appreciated Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcdefg Posted July 26, 2013 at 01:43 AM Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 at 01:43 AM I do something similar to what you have in mind on a one-year multi-entry tourist visa with 90-day stays (US passport.) Some years I convert to a student visa through a private language school after arrival, and some years not. Visa regulations may be different for UK citizens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny20270 Posted July 26, 2013 at 03:49 PM Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 at 03:49 PM thanks for the reply yes here it appears to be a single entry 3month or double entry 6month visa, 30 day max stay but agency did say they can get 60 days stay. There is no 12month visitors multi-entry visa. Onlt student visa did this So for private language school, do you sign up to 1 year course and they sort visa out for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcdefg Posted July 26, 2013 at 08:42 PM Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 at 08:42 PM So for private language school, do you sign up to 1 year course and they sort visa out for you? Yes. I arrive on a tourist visa, and let them handle the conversion. It costs something, but is never prohibitive (under 500 RMB.) When doing it this way, the PSB just issues you a Residence Permit (instead of a student visa) which lets you exit and re-enter as seldom or as often as you want during the term of your stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny20270 Posted July 26, 2013 at 09:00 PM Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 at 09:00 PM Hi i see, but do you actually attend a 1 year full time language course. i.e. have to pay in advance and show proof before you actually get the Residence Permit You see I would like to try a short course first (2 months maybe) travel for a while etc. But the issue is I would really want a multi-entry visa . I donlt mind paying paying for a 1 year course but if its required to attend every lesson (for validation of residence permit) , my free time would be limited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcdefg Posted July 27, 2013 at 05:11 AM Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 at 05:11 AM i see, but do you actually attend a 1 year full time language course. i.e. have to pay in advance and show proof before you actually get the Residence Permit In my experience, when dealing with a private language school, not a university, the length of the course can vary. Of course, the length of the residence permit will vary as well, usually being a little bit longer than your actual study time. Payment is another matter that can vary. I would never pay many months in advance; just wouldn't do it. Too many things can go wrong, and refunds are seldom given. Try to work out an agreement that that lets you pay as you go along. You see I would like to try a short course first (2 months maybe) travel for a while etc. But the issue is I would really want a multi-entry visa . If you go the residence permit route, forget about multiple entry visas. When you get a residence permit, any visa you might have is cancelled. A residence permit is all you need, and gives you the right to exit and re-enter as often as you wish during it's term of validity. I donlt mind paying paying for a 1 year course but if its required to attend every lesson (for validation of residence permit) , my free time would be limited Depends on the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny20270 Posted July 27, 2013 at 10:08 AM Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 at 10:08 AM If you go the residence permit route, forget about multiple entry visas. When you get a residence permit, any visa you might have is cancelled. A residence permit is all you need, and gives you the right to exit and re-enter as often as you wish during it's term of validity ahh thats what i was concerned about, thanks for the all the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcdefg Posted July 27, 2013 at 10:53 AM Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 at 10:53 AM You're welcome. Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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