transitioning from a work visa to a 10 year tourist l

Question

Hello,I am an American citizen and have been teaching English in Guangxi for the last 10 years, but now I have reached the age limit and my Z will expire at the end of this year. It is my intent to continue to live in China, and I will have to do it on a tourist L.  I am not married. I have some questions.1.  Is it possible to get a tourist l in Guilin or will I have to go to Hong Kong for that?2.  Will I have to show my itinerary for entering and exiting China for the first entry, and will I have to have some kind of invitation letter?3.  I have all my personal belongings here in Guilin and am planning to move into an apartment after my Z expires.  Will that present any problem as I will be living in China on a tourist l?  I would hate to find myself unable to reenter China with all of my stuff still here.4.  Assuming I have no problems with the new entry permit, is it reasonable to expect that I can live in China on a 10 year L?  I understand I'd have to leave and reenter every 60 days.Thank you for your help.

Henry · Answer

If you want to get a 10 year tourist L type for mainland China, I'm afraid you need to go back to your home country for that. If you doubt that, you are advised to go to the exit and entry administration of the local PSB to inquire if you can change the work Z type into the 10-year L type within China.

Randall · Answer

Thanks Henry.  I know I can get a entry permit in Hong Kong or Thailand, and I'm sure other places too.  I just want to know if I can get entry permit in-country.

John Doe · Answer

You cannot. Exit and Entry Administration offices only issue visa extensions and residence permits, not the actual visas themselves. Normally, in order to get a 10-year visa, you should be applying in either your country of residence or country of citizenship. It seemed like only a few 10-year visas have been issued by the Hong Kong visa office while consulates in Thailand are known for not accepting applications from tourists.

Randall · Answer

Thank you John, that's very helpful.

Paul · Answer

Just be careful not to be caught living in China with an L visa or you may end up with no way to come back and get your stuff.

Randall · Answer

Right, Paul.  That's a major concern.

Can a child with US passport apply for a 10 year multiple entry tourist L t... Asked by David from USA \| Dec. 17, 2017 20:20	1 answer
1) apply from Hong Kong? 2) 10 y. L visa Asked by Nicolas from Canada \| May. 11, 2018 01:55	1 answer
Is there a better chance of getting a 10 year visa if I apply for a S1 rath... Asked by js from USA \| Aug. 31, 2015 22:59	1 answer
I have a 10 year L type for China. I may be going to PRC on business next m... Asked by Jerry Myer from Canada \| Jul. 21, 2016 03:20	1 answer
cancellation of old visa Asked by Alan Boettcher from United States \| Nov. 04, 2015 00:55	1 answer
Can you get a 10 year L type visa as a tourist? If you plan to make yearly ... Asked by Deb Edmondson from USA \| Jul. 26, 2016 02:36	1 answer

Transitioning from a work visa to a 10 year tourist L