|
|
Post by MyTurnNow on Nov 10, 2003 18:22:21 GMT 7
I'm facing the possibility that I may need to go to Hong Kong to buy some medicine for my wife. (OK, I may pick up some "medicine" for myself, too...  ) I asked my school's FA person to check into getting an emergency re-entry pass for me. She came to my office a bit later and said that people with an American passport could travel to HK and back without their visa being canceled; no re-entry pass was needed. This is a new one on me...you heard anything like it? Is she right, or is she just huffing paint thinner yet again?  MT |
|
Wolf
Charter Member and Old Chum
Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.
Posts: 1,150
|
Post by Wolf on Nov 10, 2003 22:16:10 GMT 7
I cannot confirm. I'm a Canadian, but I have Amercian friends who teach nearby and go to Hong Kong/Taiwan/other non-PRC places every once in a while.
When they come back in, they seem to need re-entry permits.
Not sure, but that doesn't sound right at all. Can you check with your friendly neighborhod PSB?
|
|
|
|
Post by Raoul Duke on Nov 10, 2003 22:28:02 GMT 7
I think I'll independently confirm before I go. This just doesn't seem real somehow.
Thanks,
RD
|
|
|
|
Post by Sunaru on Nov 11, 2003 14:19:12 GMT 7
You MUST have a re-entry permit or multiple entry visa or you're m'kayed getting back in. You can enter HK no prob but coming back into China, you got's to have it my friend.
|
|
|
|
Post by MyTurnNow on Nov 11, 2003 21:05:38 GMT 7
Yup. I went to the Entry/Exit offices today just in case. We ALL, including Yanks, gots ta have the re-entry permit or our visas go bye-bye. Our FA lady must have lost track. Perhaps a taste of the fire poker will refresh her memory.  MT |
|
Roger
Upstanding Citizen
Posts: 243
|
Post by Roger on Nov 11, 2003 21:27:15 GMT 7
Phil,
I infer from your query and subsequent posts that you have a single-entry visa. Of course, in this case, your visa will expire the moment you pass immigration on your way out of the mainland territory, which means you will have to apply for a new visa.
I have never had a single-entry visa throughout my time here; schools save some money this way.
Of course, in SH you don't normally need a multiple-entry visa. Well, if a so-called "re-entry permit" can be obtained, you should get that from the PSB.
With a Chinese wife attached to you, they should be understanding enough.
Good luck
Roger
|
|
|
|
Post by MyTurnNow on Nov 12, 2003 17:02:18 GMT 7
Yes, I have a single-entry. I've never been given anything else and I'm surprised to hear you say you've never gotten one. Everywhere I've worked, if you wanted to leave and come back it was done entirely at your own expense.
I applied at the Entry/Exit bureau offices (I think it's part of the PSB: haven't caught many details these last few days...) in downtown Shanghai. Probably the most efficient, well-run government office I've seen in China. It was extremely busy but the wait was not too bad.
The re-entry permit is basically a rider to my current Z visa.
They were understanding; maybe the Chinese wife helped? I told them I had to hustle to HK to buy medicine for my wife, and they gave me the permit on 24-hour turnaround. Most offices here can't even clean up from lunch in24 hours...
MT
|
|
Wolf
Charter Member and Old Chum
Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.
Posts: 1,150
|
Post by Wolf on Nov 12, 2003 17:11:03 GMT 7
Hey, that's good news. I've got a single entry visa as well. I got a re-entry permit this summer (brief trip), and it ended up looking like a whole new visa (but cost less.) The border guards crossed out the wrong one, though, when I left the PRC. For a momen I thought they wouldn't let me back in, but some supervisor noticed the mistake.
I can't be bothered to change it. The thing will expire before I'll go out again anyway.
Anyways, I hope you can get that medicine for your wife.
|
|
)
