China Travel Forum

[Calvert]

My Chinese Residence Permit will expire while I am in SE Asia. However, my Foreign Expert Certificate (work permit) will still be active. Can I use the FE Cert. to somehow avoid paying $50-$100 for a tourist visa to get back into China?

The facts:
Residence Permit expires Jan 26st, 08
FE Cert. expires Feb. 24th, 08
I cannot renew the Residence Permit prior to leaving China as I am leaving within a few days and have been informed that it is yet too early to renew.
US Passport holder.

probably attaining visa from Bangkok
THANKS!!

[Liwei]

dear:

My understanding is that a Z visa is issued to people entering China on business or to work. Once in the country, I was issued a Residence Permit (expires January 26, 0.

My Z visa has actually been expired for some time now. My Residence Permit is similar to a visa in that it is in my passport and it grants me similar access rights to the country as a citizen (ie. I can leave and return at will).

My problem is that when the PSB issued it (very recently), they incidentally chose an expiration date that completely conflicts with my already set travel plans.

My Foreign Expert Certificate/Work Permit is something else entirely. It resembles a second passport, except it has my Chinese address and employer's information in it as well.

At the time I will be re-entering China, my work permit will be the only thing still current, and I am wondering if I can use this to my advantage in any way and avoid paying the heavy fees for a tourist visa.
good luck.