What is the best Visa to stay in China for a year without working or school?

Question

My girlfriend just recently got a job in Shanghai and I'd like to stay with her in China for a few months to a year. Can anyone give any advice on what the best options are in terms of a Visa? I'm a US citizen (naturalized from Taiwan) and don't need to find work while there. Also, we're looking to make the move to China early September.

I've been searching the web and it looks like they've really clamped down on Visas so any suggestions would be much welcome!

Answer 1

Try to get a longer duration-of-each-stay Tourist visa in USA (You can apply yourself or turn to a visa agent). If it is the first-time application, you'd better use a visa agent.

Hotel reservation (NO need to book for each day) and round-trip tickets will be required.

If the visa is not long enough, you can have it extended or converted to longer F visa through a visa agent when you are already in China.

http://www.cn-visa.com/l_f_conversion.as...

Though now the visa policy is quite tight, after Olympics, it will be relaxed little by little.

Answer 2

Supposedly the clampdown on visas was instituted for the run-up to the Olympics and according to some, will return to normal after the games. Unless you get married, your best bet is probably an L or tourist visa and get extensions or renew as necessary, if you were married you could apply for a Z visa and accompany your wife for the length of her stay. Have a look at the type of visas available and see what suits you best.

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zg...

Answer 3

Well i just went tochina so ive experiened this first hand. What i did is i got a visa for tourism with a letter of invitation from my parents company over there. I expect you could do the same if you got a letter of invitation, stating your purpose for staying in the country, from your girlfriend's company that she works for. i know it worked for me so it may work for you  

Answer 4

Basically, you cant.  If you have never been to China before the consulate will not issue you a visa for more than 30-days.  You may get lucky by using a visa service, but even if you are lucky enough to get a 60 or 90 days visa, you need to show hotel confirmations for EACH DAY IN CHINA, and airtickets (round trip) In some cases you will need to illustrate you have the financial ability to support yourself  (Houston Consulate)  

I consult for a China Travel Service and have been doing so for nine years, in my opinion, this will not let up after the olympics.  GOod luck.

Answer 5

It called the "Bum Visa". Be where you want to be.