Ben asked 5 years ago
Is the automatic two month visa extension still ongoing? I’m hearing conflicting things regarding this. My tourist visa expires in 2 days. Do I need to exit or will it automatically be extended for two months?
If it is automatically extended, what happens after the two months if the situation doesn’t change? Will China and HK/Macau open their border with each other anytime soon to allow for exit/entry?
Thanks for the help.
smooth-administrator Staff answered 5 years ago
Hi Ben,
Response in-line to your questions:
Is the automatic two month visa extension still ongoing? I’m hearing conflicting things regarding this.
Still ongoing. Don’t listen to people who cannot provide proof to you i.e. news articles. Whenever you want to verify, any simple search on expat websites like smartshanghai.com or beijinger.com or wechat official accounts for expat communities will be sufficient.
My tourist visa expires in 2 days. Do I need to exit or will it automatically be extended for two months?
Think of it as an overstay grace period of 60 day. You get to stay 60 additional days on your last valid visa without having to get a new visa or a sticker on your passport page.
So no action/application required.
But if you exit China, you’ll be banned from re-entering [and, if you want to enter again, you will have to wait until China lifts the ban on foreigners].
If it is automatically extended, what happens after the two months if the situation doesn’t change?
It seems you haven’t read my answer in the below link. Please read:
https://shanghaiexitentry.com/question/confused-about-visa-extension/
Basically, towards the end of your two months of free overstay(“automatic extension”), you would have to apply for a stay permit at the exit-entry bureau in-person and make a case for it. If they accept your application and when you pick up your passport after 7 business days, you’d pay a certain amount depending on how many days they give you. Most likely 30-day stay permit and I think it costs 160rmb.
Will China and HK/Macau open their border with each other anytime soon to allow for exit/entry?
No idea. Just have to keep tabs on news articles.
I recommend following these three wechat official accounts:
- WOShanghai (this is China Unicom’s English OA. Excellent and fast news coverage that affect foreigners)
- shgacrj (shanghai exit-entry bureau’s wechat OA but only in mandarin)
- 上海发布 (Shanghai official announcements)
And again, you should follow any magazine / community news for expats in China. They usually report these things within a day or two.