My understanding is that these "variables" are due to one of two major factors.
1) What type of visa are yo currently in China on ?? AND what is the length (multi-entry) ??
2) Are you living in China as a single...or married person ??
From what my investigations have reveled, a person who is SINGLE on a TOURIST Visa will most likely never get a full 1 year residence permit. A person who is MARRIED (Chinese wife) on a Work Visa, or Business Visa will in most cases get a 12 month Permit .... as noted with a health exam.
As I noted in my thread on the subject the major variable is WHERE in China you are living as EACH and EVERY city and province seems to have its own ability to allow or deny for any reasons any permits.
This is why I obtained a copy of the actual permit for my PSB, and had my man on the ground inquire directly. I had only a desire for getting a 6 month permit myself, but may in fact pony up the extra cash and try for the full year....whats the worst that could happen, they only give me a 6-month permit? OK, I know they could simply deny my request completely....but going on a business visa I think it unlikely?
Either way. The ONLY rule about the permit is that there is NO standard across the country and each and every PSB in every city can essentially do as it pleases.
I tell you thefull true story as go. I have due to receive a one year visa. Married yes. Do not know what classification it will be.
Obtaining a visa does not depend on which province you apply in it depends soley on the office that you attend and even more precise on the officer that attends to you at that office.
I have had five visas now,three issued in China. They have all been different. You cannot rely on anything you read or even get told by any officer as the next one will do something entirely different.
seems to me that which ever way a particular officer reads things then that is wjhat you are going to get.
I have even been to the office with the literature I received from another office but it cut no ice.
Its a case of you deciding if the offer is good or not. So do not leave it to the last minute to make an application as you may have to put things off, like I did, to get a better offer from another officer on another day.
Willy