This story has been floating throughout Shanghai and Beijing for the last two months. As reported earlier in Shanghaiist With the upcoming Olympics and a host of political pressure, the The Entry and Exit Administration Bureau is enforcing existing visa regulations for foreigners in China. No more can foreigners convert F to L or L into F business visas as before. The new enforcement measures are putting pressure on HR companies, including City Weekend, to begin issuing costly Z visas. Magic, Shanghai's F visa savior and deliverer issued this report in mid March:

 From 1st April 2008, The Entry and Exit Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security update the
 visa policy again. According to that, now the Authority will not accept of changing the visa type from L visa to 
 F visa or F visa to L visa. Only allow L visa to L visa or F visa to F visa extension.
 From 6th Mar 2008, due to the Olympic games, The Entry and Exit Administration Bureau of the Ministry of  
 Public Security tight the visa policy special for F visa applicaitons. According to that, now the paperwork you 
 have to prepare are more complicate than before, we have already updated our services quotation and 
 paperwork list for F visa applications.

Check the updated paperwork and price