score:4
It takes 7 working days, so normally 9 days due to weekends.
It costs ¥160 CNY
. The passport photo needed is special, with a blue background. You can get a set for ¥33 CNY
in the building.
Applying with only one day left of your current visit is not a problem!
The office is very efficient, and waiting times are short, despite the large number of people.
You are given an official receipt which includes a copy of the important parts of your passport which I'm told will be acceptable as a travel document in the meantime. A friend here from Russia used this to board a flight once so it should also work for checking in to hotels etc.
Address:
The Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration Division, located at 155 Jiefang South Road (解放南路155号) +86 20 8311-5808 (M-F 8:50AM–11:30AM, 2:30PM-5PM.)