Job Discussion Forums

[morrisonhotel]

How long does it typically take to get a Z visa processed? I keep seeing about 6 weeks or so (plus a few days for processing in your home country). Does that timescale sound about right? I'm a UK citizen applying from home if that makes any difference.

[dean_a_jones]

That is a bit long, should take about 2 or 3 weeks for the school to apply for the right paperwork, then they will send it over to you by post and you can make the application in the UK. That actual application process itself (once you have the relevant documents) only takes a couple of days.

[morrisonhotel]

Thanks. Presumably it can vary depending on where the application is being processed, right? Has anyone got recent experience of applying for a Z visa from the UK for working in the Beijing area?

[dean_a_jones]

Sure, but delays are often caused by under-qualified applicants needing a bit of guanxi from their school to get them through. Assuming you have the right qualifications (i.e. have a BA, graduated a few years ago, teaching experience even better) then for Beijing it should be pretty straightforward as long as your school is legitimate. Today is the lantern festival, so the winter break is formally over and the gears should start grinding again.

Are you starting soon (i.e. after the winter break in China)? If so, don't be too shocked if everything seems to be done last minute and you arrive at 6am and start classes a few hours later. You need to adjust to the concept of time and notice periods here as much as you do to language and diet.

[morrisonhotel]

[Denim-Maniac]

After sending all the relevant documents my paperwork from China arrived in around 10 days and I used the courier service in London to get my visa processed...that was around another 5 days. Assuming your employer acts promptly, there is ample time for you.

They key is probably to keep on top of things with your employer. Regular contact to ensure they have applied for the visa/sent the paperwork 'may' push them into doing it now rather than waiting another week/another fortnight/until the last minute, which as mentioned...is often the Chinese way.

[krayola]

It depends on the company and their screening procedures too. EF runs a police check on each employee and this took about two weeks for them to obtain, which caused the whole process to take another fortnight longer. it is also extremely worthwhile to use an express courier service in my experience, even if you have plenty of time on your side.

i think denim's final post hits it on the head - constant mail contact, whilst it may annoy your school or whoever is processing the visa, is a really good idea. My current visa took 3 months to secure and would have taken longer had I not pushed and attempted to keep admin to their word.

What one considers ineptitude and inefficiency in one part of the world is considered perfectly normal in another.

[morrisonhotel]