签证有效期明明还剩下三个月，为什么还会因非法居留被抓？
My visa is still valid for next three months, so why am I being arrested for illegal residence?
其实，除了签证失效，还有可能是你的在华时间已经超过签证注明的停留期限啦！
Actually, apart from visa expiration, it may also be on the ground that your stay in China has exceeded the allowed duration of stay indicated on your visa!
申请过中国签证的朋友应该都知道，中国签证根据申请人的身份地位以及不同的来华事由分为不同类型，包括外交签证(W)、礼遇签证(U)、公务签证(Y)和普通签证。
Friends who have applied for Chinese visas should know that Chinese visas are divided into different types according to the applicant's identity and reasons for coming to China, including diplomatic visas(W), courtesy visas(U), public service visas(Y) and ordinary visas.
就普通签证来说，一共分16种（除香港签证、澳门签证和西藏通行证外）。
For ordinary visa, there are totally 16 kinds of visas for the mainland of China, besides Hong Kong Visa and Macau Visa and Tibet Travel Permit.
China Tourist Visa (visit China for travel)
China Business Visa (visit China for commercial & trade activities)
China Crew Visa (visit China as foreign crew members of international transportation and their accompany family members)
China Resident Visa (to reside in China permanently)
China Non-commercial Visit Visa (go to China for exchanges, visits, study tour, etc)
China Work Visa (to work in China)
China Family Reunion Visa (to visit family members in China, who are Chinese citizens or foreigners holding China’s permanent residence)
China Private Visa (visit family members who are working, studying in China for private matters)
China Study Visa (to study in China)
而我们常说的签证有效期其实是指“入境有效期（Entry Before）”，是持有人可以入境中国的最后期限。如果签证上注明的时间已过，就会被拒绝入境。有效期因签证类型和入境次数而异，通常为3个月、6个月、1年或者更长期限。
The “Entry Before” means the expiry date of the Chinese Visa, it is the deadline you can enter China. Visitor can NOT enter China if the time has passed as indicated on the visa. The validity vary from visa types and number of entries, usually is 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and more. Visitor can NOT enter China if the time has passed as indicated on the visa.
入境次数已用完或最后入境期限已过（即使还余有入境次数），签证都会被视为无效。
A China Visa will become invalid if the number of entries has been used up, or the entry date expires (even there is entry times left).
Know more about Number of Entry:
外国人在中国居留或停留期间签证失效了属于非法居留！
It must be noted that, foreigners whose visas become invalid during their stay or residence in China will be considered as illegal residence!
另外，即使签证有效，但持有人在华时间已经超过签证上注明的停留期限，也会因非法居留被罚款，或被驱逐出境。
Besides, even if the visa is valid, the holder will be fined or deported for illegal stay if his/her stay in China has exceeded the allowed duration of stay indicated on the visa.
“停留期限（Duration of Each Stay）”是指游客每次入境允许在中国停留的最大天数，从入境次日00:00开始算起，到最后期限日的24:00为止。
On the right section next to “Valid for Entry By”, “Duration of Each Stay” means the maximum number of days visitors are allowed to stay in China per entry. It is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry into China, till to the 24:00 (Beijing GMT +8:00) of last permitted day.
时间因签证类型而异，从几天到30天、60天、90天、120天、180天不等。如果想在华停留超过签发的期限，要至少在到期日前一周向公安机关申请签证延期，否则视为逾期非法居留。
The duration differs by the visa types. The duration ranges from a few days, to 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 120 days and 180 days at most. If you want to stay longer than the issued duration, you need to apply for China Visa Extension from public security authorities at least one week before the expiration date. Overstaying is against the laws of China.
另外，每次入境都会重新计算停留天数，并不是累计的。比如，你的签证入境次数为2次，停留期限为30天，那么你两次入境中国都可以停留30天。
And it counts every time you enter China, not calculated. For example, if you have a visa with 2 entries and a stay period of 30 days, then you can stay in China for 30 days each entry.
一般来说，在华停留期限都会在签证上直接注明，所以拿到自己的签证时，要知道自己能在中国呆多长时间，提前做好准备。
Generally speaking, the duration of stay will be directly indicated on the visa, so when you get your own visa, check how long you can stay in China and prepare in advance.
但有的朋友会发现，自己的签证上“停留期限”一栏写着的是“000 days”，难道说持证人可以在中国无限期停留了？
But, some may find that the " Duration of Each Stay" noted on their visas are "000 days". Does it mean that the holder can stay in China with no limit of time?
“000”天是长期签证的特殊说明，如工作（Z）签证，学习（X1 / X2）签证，外国记者（J1）签证和居民（D）签证。
“000” days is a special note for certain long-term Chinese Visas, like China Work (Z) Visa, China Study (X1/X2) Visa, China Foreign Journalist (J1) Visa & China Resident (D)Visa.
这类标注并不意味着持有人不能留在中国，或者可以无限期地留在中国。这类签证的持有人必须在入境后30天内到停留地公安机关申请居留许可，具体停留期限会体现在居留许可上。
It doesn’t mean the bearer can’t stay in China or they can stay in China without limitation of length of duration. They are required to apply a residence permit in the local Public Security Bureau within 30 days upon arrival. Their accurate duration of stay will be specified on the residence permit.
如果你持有的是普通护照，除非符合中国免签政策，不然都必须先取得有效的签证才能入境中国。
Foreigners holding ordinary passport are required to obtain a valid visa to visit China, unless you meet relevant policies of Chinese Visa Exemptions.
成功入境中国后，也不能将签证置之不理，要多留意签证有效期以及停留期限是否已到期，提前做好离境或者签证延期的打算。
You might better not ignore your visa after successful entry. Remember to make a plan for leaving the country or extend the visa in advance.
如果被公安机关发现非法居留，轻则罚款（处以每非法居留一日五百元，总额不超过一万元的罚款），重则拘留（五日以上十五日以下）或者是驱逐出境，还会影响到下次来华签证的申请。
If the public security authorities find out your illegal stay, you can be fined (500 yuan per day of illegal stay, but not more than 10,000 yuan in total), or detained (more than 5 days but not more than 15 days) or deported. The record of illegal stay may also affect your next visa application to China.
If you have any questions about China visas, please feel free to contact us~
HACOS provides free consulting services for exit and entry and Chinese visa.
If you want to know more about coming to China or doing business here, please contact us!
