Job Discussion Forums

[wawaguagua]

I've recently accepted a new job from within China at a university. The university originally confirmed with the local Foreign Experts Bureau that I could acquire my Z-visa from Hong Kong. I accepted the job offer and waited out the paperwork for three weeks. I've finally received all of the paperwork I need from both the school and the government, but there's one issue. I am no longer able to apply for the Z visa from Hong Kong, and I can only get it from the United States.

It's been suggested to me that I can send all of my paperwork, including my passport, to my family in the United States. They can then send it to a visa agency which can get the Z-visa without my physical presence. Obviously, I'm very hesitant about this method, as it would involve sitting around in China without a passport. There's also the risk that my passport could get lost in the mail. I'm also a bit unsure of the process - For example, many visa agencies say that a flight itinerary is necessary for the visa process, which wouldn't be applicable if I'm already in China.

Any insight into the process would be much appreciated! The university has been very good to me thus far and I'm still very interested in the job. The fact that they've done all of the work on their end already is a huge plus.

[choudoufu]

[wawaguagua]

[Denim-Maniac]

[choudoufu]

[wawaguagua]

[quote="choudoufu"]

[wawaguagua]

It seems the mistake on the part of the government isn't filling in the paperwork wrong, but giving the school the wrong information from the beginning. Apparently, for that province, all foreigners are supposed to get a working visa from their home country. This may actually be a new criterion that has only taken effect in the last few weeks. It's not all that clear.

I've talked to several third party visa agencies in the United States. Several of them seem confident that they can help me, while some have never encountered my situation before and aren't sure. One aspect that is clear is that trying to mail everything to and from China would be very difficult and perhaps unreliable, so attempting the process from Seoul using FedEx would be a much better idea.

It will be expensive and risky, but the alternatives seem to be going back home and starting over again (also very expensive) or grabbing up another shady job like my first one that will have me start working right away on a tourist visa (also very risky).

[it'snotmyfault]

Has Obama done anything to upset China recently?
Wasn't he buddying up with Japan over those islands. Or complaining about unfair trade subsidies?

If so you might have to got to the US for your Z, and pay more for it than the rest of us have to pay

[wawaguagua]

Yes, it's clear that iI will need to get my Z visa from my home country. My question is still whether or not it is possible to do this without actually going back to my home country (by sending my documents to a visa agent).

My designated PRC consulate is somewhat far from my home city anyway, so I'd have to use a visa agent regardless. I did so in order to get my L visa. I need to know whether or not my physical body must be in the United States at that time in order to do so.

[dean_a_jones]

Pretty certain the answer is no.

In theory, you should be able to get the paperwork done by someone else back in the US (like using an agency as you say) and they could send it to you. However, I think when you apply they will see that you have entered the country and not left again and are currently on an issued visa. So they probably won't even issue the new visa. Assuming they do, they won't allow someone to hold two valid visas at the same time, which will be a problem, as they will cancel the current one that you are in the country on. When you got the passport back you will then need to leave China anyway and reenter using the Z visa, but when you leave you will not be on a visa as it will have been cancelled, thus causing you a big problem.

If you don't want to go to all the way to the US, it might be better to go to HK, send off your passport to be processed and sent back, then reenter on the Z-visa. Using an express service, that might be able to be done in a week or so.

[wawaguagua]

[Harbin]

[Javelin of Radiance]

[Lancy Bloom]

Have you tried the Chinese method of placing an even amount of money in a red envelope and giving it to the person in charge of the paper work.
Worked for Xi Jinping.

[wawaguagua]

Well, I went ahead and did it. It was more expensive than going to Hong Kong, but it worked. I must clarify again that I didn't send my passport from China, I sent it from a neighboring country (with a proper exit stamp from the PRC).