Also, if you are going to extend your visa, you are now required to get a health check, or “ti jian”. Don’t worry, the health check is nothing more than a blood test to see if you have any diseases (HIV, hepatitis, etc). The health check costs anywhere from 0 to 100 RMB and you can go to a local hospital and they’ll give you the results back the same day. They will give your certificate with the doctor’s signature on it, along with your results and your blood type. Then take that back to the visa office and fill out the visa form (don’t forget your picture!)

If you own a house in China and you have the deed to your house (which can take over a year to get after you purchase it), you can apply for a three-year residence card. However, they require that you apply for the one-year visa first, to “show them that you don’t cause any trouble.”

From what I’ve learned, a marriage certificate is not is not enough to apply for a residence card, you must have a house deed with your name on it.

Also, after you purchase your house, get the deed with your name on it, and apply for your one-year visa, it is good for unlimited entries and exits and there are no duration limits (like say, a tourist L visa, which limits you to 30 days after entry).