Wow, I find this whole email thread shocking.
Given the text explanation you get of F and L visa from the embassy web site,
which Mary quoted below, I have a very hard time seeing how anyone comes to the
conclusion that L (tourist) visa is the right visa for an IETF meeting. I
believe the the explanations that you are likely to get away with it, but I
have a very hard time believing it is not breaking the law. I'd be fascinated
to hear the reasoning of people who think it is legal.
On Aug 24, 2010, at 9:21 AM, Mary Barnes wrote:
The note posted suggested that if you were planning to sightsee a day or more
before or after the meeting that a tourist visa might be sufficient.
However, I prefer to err on the side of caution in this situation since it
clearly states on the chinese visa website:
Business Visa (F Visa) is issued to an alien who is invited to China for a
visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological
and culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internship for a period
of no more than six months.
versus
Tourist Visa (L Visa) is issued to an alien who comes to China for
sightseeing or visiting family members or friends or for other personal
affairs.
Personally, I'd rather not risk any problems in this area. Since, my company
is sponsoring to attend the meeting, I don't consider that I'm going to China
for "personal affairs". In my experience, you're typically asked why you're
visiting a country and sometimes the questioner wants more details as to what
you'll be doing. So, unless you have figured out a detailed sightseeing
itinerary in advance, I would think it's possible you could easily answer
that question unsatisfactorily.
Just my opinion,
Mary.
On Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 9:43 AM, Andrew G. Malis
<agmalis(_at_)gmail(_dot_)com> wrote:
Is there a consensus that a tourist visa is sufficient to attend the
IETF from the US?
Thanks,
Andy
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Cullen Jennings
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