Job Discussion Forums

haopengyou · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 197

I finally got the scanned version of my invitation letter for the teaching job in Shenzhen. The "enter into China" date on the invitation letter is 12/30/2012. Can I go in sooner than that? or do I have to wait until that date? I am a U.S. citizen.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Yes, you can. It's not an "etched in stone" date, it means "thereabouts". The only people who will need to see the invitation letter are the embassy folk. After you get the visa, there is an "enter before" date (three months, if memory serves).

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

Bear in mind that your employer will (probably) have a month to make the visa you enter on permanent. If you come to China a couple of weeks before starting your job, they may not have enough time.

But if its just a few days, then, as JohnPartee points out, you shouldn't have a problem. When you apply for the visa, you'll give an expected date of entry into China. For instance my visa this summer started the day before the 'enter into China' date on my invitation letter.

GreatApe · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:23 am Post subject:

Keep in mind that Chinese New Year falls on February 10th this year, so if you do decide to wait beyond 12/30/2012, you don't want to wait too long.

I learned this by experience. I arrived in Hong Kong on February 8th, 2010 and had to travel from H.K. to mainland China on the 9th. Chinese New Year in 2010 also fell on February 10th.

With a lot of luggage? In a word: "OUCH!"

--GA