Job Discussion Forums

tyroleanhat · Joined: 21 Oct 2013 Posts: 209 Location: Austria / China

I don't know what to do, and I have to decide quickly. The Chinese embassy in Austria takes calls only on Tuesday and Thursday (!), so I dont know whom to ask, time is running.

Background is that I am re-applying for a Chinese University. I already signed the contract 4 weeks ago, but I had to cancel it. Now the situation changed again and I asked them if they would give me another chance for the position, even its super late for the Z-visa. Uni agreed, but I don't know if there is enough time, my flight is on Thursday (first to Korea, where I still have a D10-Visa). Flight from Korea to China is not booked yet.

If I change the flight date it will get uber expensive.

My medical check is ready tomorrow, so they could immediately send the work permit tomorrow - so that it arrives - when? if it arrives later, I will fly in vain.

Can the uni send it directly to Korea? Or can they fax it to me in Austria? it would solve all my problems. Or is there a special express way to send it in 2 days?
I heard some vague information that I can apply for visa also in a country where I have a residence permit (Korea) - is that true?

Sorry for the disorganised message, I hope somebody knows some answers. I am a bit overwhelmed, and I cannot find anyone with answers..

short story short: do I really have to postpone my flight for a fortune, or is there another way?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I think you're talking about the Letter of Invitation; this document will state at which Chinese Embassy you will be applying for the Z visa. From what I can gather from your message, the LoI is not ready yet, so YOU must decide where you're going to apply for the visa. I don't see any reason they wouldn't be able to send it to Korea and, no, you cannot have them fax it, it must be the original.

tyroleanhat · Joined: 21 Oct 2013 Posts: 209 Location: Austria / China

that means I can apply for the Z-visa in Korea too? it would solve everything..

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Yeah, I edited my last post. I'm assuming there is a Chinese Embassy there?

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

Call the Chinese consulate/embassy in the Korean city in which you intend to pick up your visa. Be sure. Don't hope. Hope isn't a plan.

I'd call the airline to find out what it'd cost to change the date by two weeks. Sometimes, if you explain the situation, they'll give you a break.

tyroleanhat · Joined: 21 Oct 2013 Posts: 209 Location: Austria / China

That would be just perfect if its true. but how can I know for sure? I mean, I would love to just trust you on this, but I could risk flying there in vain.

just to avoid misunderstandings I am recapping:
I will send the medical check results (scanned, by email, I hope thats possible)

then they will send the LoI - to Korea.

I will arrive Thursday in Korea, bringing the letter from my post box to the chinese embassy in Seoul..

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

True about calling embassies and consulates.

You could always stay home and wait and pay an upcharge on the airline ticket. I wouldn't worry about arriving late because of late acceptance. That's not your problem. That's an administrator's problem.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I think the lesser evil is the $$ hit you will take when you change your flight.
That's a known.
The ramifications of traveling to Korea and hoping to pick up your China paperwork contain too many unknowns.
Take the hit, get your paperwork and start late.
If the school is willing to reinstate its offer then it will likely let you start a week or so late.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

tyroleanhat · Joined: 21 Oct 2013 Posts: 209 Location: Austria / China

Thanks for your help. My head is clearer now.
So I will try to get an answer from the embassy in Seoul, which I will call in 9 hours.
If they confirm, that I, as an Austrian, can apply for a Chinese visa in Seoul - then I don't need to worry anymore (I hope.. ... or what else could possibly go wrong?).

muffintop · Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 803

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Don't move until you have a guarantee that you can complete paperwork in Seoul.
Why not raise question of a late start with your employer now?
Don't go into a complicated story about Korea - just the question 'Can I start late if my visa is delayed?'

muffintop · Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 803

^sound advice

Toast · Joined: 08 Jun 2013 Posts: 428

Chinese embassies and consulates in Korea can be uber-cantankerous about issuing Z or L visas to non-residents with less than 6 months left on their Korean Alien Registration Card. It's been this way since 2011 or so. If you can even do it you'll certainly need to use a travel agent to arrange the visa as the embassy there doesn't accept walk-ins. Another one to look into is if they are going to require a medical check as part of the application for the visa. The Chinese embassy in Korea probably won't accept a foreign issued medical check meaning you'll have to do another one in Korea to get the visa in Seoul/Busan/Gwangju/Daeugu.