I've been trying to deal with the local consulate in Toronto but have been having difficulties speaking to a knowlegable person. Today I went into the conulate and the woman re-directed me to the phone number that has been busy for days.
My question is that right now I am having the student visa forms sent over to study at DUFL for 5 months. I'm not sure I want to commit to a year without having visited the school. My plan would be if I enjoy the school to keep on studying. Does anyone know if during the 5 months I am there I can apply to extend the visa or do I have to leave the country again?
Also from what another person was saying I have the impression that I cannot switch from a student to a working visa without also leaving the country? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks ,
Graham
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I'm not sure if you can extend your student visa, but I am sure that you can't change it into a working visa without leaving the country. If you want to change to a working visa, you need all the invitation papers along with a new medical test and go to Hong Kong for instance. With all the right papers you can get it in a day there.
For the student visa, I think any visa can be extended in China for at least 2 times, as long as you have the right papers to show which in this case means that you have to prove that you are still studying. I know a business visa and work visa can be extended, so I'm pretty sure it is the same with a student visa.
Hope this helps
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It is possible to extent your student visa as long as you don't change from a student visa to a visitors visa once it has expired. This is the error that most people make. So before it expires you must apply for an extention with all the necessary paper work.
It is correct that you cannot change from either a student or visitors visa to a working visa. There are only four ways around this: $ signs indicate cost.
1. Travel to Hong Kong and get a one year business Visa.($$$)
2. Leave the country and wait to receive a job invitation, do a medical and prepare references CV etc. ($$$$$)
3. Take a trip to Shenyang, entertain the Visa office staff and hand them a brown envelope of no less than 1000rmb. (Although a tad dodgy, it's a proven winner) ($$)
4. Marry a Chinese citizen. ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$)
PS. Most students who go to DUFL seem to have a great time and often come back for more.
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Been trying to get ahold of the consulate for specific questions but been having trouble again, not sure why its so difficult, argh.
My visa forms are in the mail, have a good ticket price lined up. Last question is about if I need a return ticket? The travel agency told me they may force you to buy one at the airport before entering so I'm wondering if I should get it now? On the other hand the woman at the visa processing desk told me it doesnt matter if I had one or not?
Thanks, (going to keep phoning them)
Graham
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Personal experience: I arrived on a single ticket with a completed working visa (but yet to be issued Foreign Expert Book). I had a 10 month contract, a single ticket, and experienced no problems.
Not to say that it won't happen. Just my experience.
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alicia
