China – Dependents of work permit holders no longer able to obtain residence permits in Guangzhou |
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Background
Spouses and children of foreign nationals holding a work visa in Guangzhou are no longer able to automatically apply for a residence permit with a Z visa.
This new restriction comes as a result of the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau (FTECB) office in Guangzhou suspending the issuance of dependents’ Z (work) visa invitation letters on August 1, 2011. Without the invitation letters, dependents who plan to accompany an expatriate assignee will no longer be able to obtain Z visas from People’s Republic of China diplomatic posts overseas, which is necessary for the issuance of a residence permit. Instead, dependents may need to enter China on the strength of an L (family visit or tourist) visa, and seek a domestic extension of the L visa following their arrival in Guangzhou. Unlike residence permits, the domestically extended L visa will limit the person’s duration of stay and number of entries into China. Additionally, while the schools in Guangzhou now take a seemingly relaxed attitude in enrollment acceptance of foreign students on L visas, generally speaking, children are not allowed to attend school under such temporary visas. Therefore, families with school-aged children may have to obtain an X visa for their children prior to entering China, which will then need to be converted into a student-type residence permit.
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