New Chinese visa categories and applications

[laohuaqiao]

As of Sept.1 there has been changes for Americans applying for Chinese visas:

usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2013-09/02/content_16937162.htm

Life may just have gotten a bit simpler for Americans planning a trip to China, after a new set of visa categories took effect on Sunday.

"The new categories aim to streamline management while facilitating applications," said Wu Yi, head of the visa office at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco.
...

Laws and regulations covering foreigners applying for visas to China include four new visa categories that came into effect Sept 1.

The prominent additions include a new "Q" category visa for Americans who visit their Chinese family members in China.

"The Q visa holders will find their staying period in China could be more than 180 days and the visa might be valid up to five years," Wu said.

The new application form is available for download here:

newyork.china-consulate.org/eng/lsyw/lszjx/sbqz/df/

There is no option for a 5-year visa on the application form in Box 2.2 "Intended number of entries". However, there is an "Other(Please specify)" option, perhaps one can request a 5-year visa here. If anyone has any experience with the new categories and new requirements, especially how to obtain the 5-year visa, please report back to us.

[douglaslam]

I like the Q category, five years of multiple-entry. But that would put the visa agency out of business. It would never do here. We are paying hefty fees because visa applications are handled by an agency. The agency is a business guarantted of profitability.

[laohuaqiao]

There is a Q1

issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

and a Q2 visa

issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.

Other categories are spelled out here, newyork.china-consulate.org/eng/lsyw/lszjx/sbqz/lacv/

According to this article, www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqgj/jryw/2013-09-02/content_10015189.html

seniors over 60 or children under 16 eligible for a Q1 visa can apply for a Chinese residence permit valid for 5 years, while seniors over 60 and children under 18 eligible for a Q2 visa can apply for a Chinese residence permit valid for up to 3 years. The applicant must have visited China before and be of good character. Residence permit is good for unlimited entries during the valid period. Upon expiration of the residence permit, one can apply for an extension.

I'm still not clear as to exactly where and when to apply for the residence permit, seems to be immigration office of public security department after entry into China.