What approval/application sequence applies, how long is the status granted, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction is officially stated?
Apply to the responsible Chinese visa authority with the invitation. The issued visa controls the initial stay. An extension needs local partner evidence at least seven days before expiry, may be up to 180 days and cannot exceed the original stay in aggregate. A replacement can have up to one-year entry validity, up to 180-day stay and zero, one, two or multiple entries. This visitor process is not a permanent-residence progression.
See recorded sources
- Article 7(7)
(七)申请M字签证,应当按照要求提交中国境内商业贸易合作方出具的邀请函件。
- VII(6)
(六)持M字签证者,应当提交当地邀请、接待单位或者个人出具的证明函件,未备案的单位还应当提交注册登记证明。合作伙伴为个人的,出具的函件应当签名并提交本地常住户籍证明或者实际居住地居住证明。可以延长停留期限不超过180日。
- VIII(1)(3)
3、申请换发M字签证,应当提交邀请单位出具的证明函件,可以换发入境有效期不超过1年,停留期不超过180日的零次、一次、二次或者多次签证。
- Article 29
需要延长签证停留期限的,应当在签证注明的停留期限届满七日前向停留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请,按照要求提交申请事由的相关材料。经审查,延期理由合理、充分的,准予延长停留期限;不予延长停留期限的,应当按期离境。
- Article 29 cap
延长签证停留期限,累计不得超过签证原注明的停留期限。