Each year my school and I have to renew my Resident Permit and Foreign Expert Certificate. It takes about 2 weeks. We do it in China. When I get to the school in August, I am on a L-Visa (Tourist). At the end of the 2 weeks I have my Z-Visa, my RP and FEC.

Save yourself time and money. Sign up for another year just before your contract terminates. Then visit your local PSB office with your FAO. And get THEM to issue you with a single-entry Z visa! After having vacationed abroad, you can re-enter mainland on that Z visa!