Job Discussion Forums

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

Anyone done this? I'm from the United States, Texas specifically, and it's kind of seeming like doing this properly is nearly impossible from within China. I need one for Beijing. Does anyone know how strict they are about the exact requirements in Beijing?

Texas has an online service, which I'm going to try to use, but if that doesn't work I have no idea what I'm gonna do. I need fingerprints for the FBI background check and that's going to be a pain in the ass and take a really long time. And I'm not sure I can get a local check without going home.

It seems like they wrote these regulations with no consideration for people who are already in China. I'm hoping that they will either accept a printout of the online thing, or that my brother will be able to get the local check for me in the U.S. I'm not sure about the FBI background check, since I do have a few charges (minor consumption, class C misdemeanor) that won't show up on a local check but may show up on an FBI check.

Scary bureaucracy is scaring me... any help appreciated.

Dan123 · Joined: 08 Jan 2014 Posts: 112

My school made me do an online background check while I was still in the UK, but I don't think there's any reason why I couldn't have done it in any other country. However, I didn't need to send any fingerprints, and I'm also in Changchun, which could very well have less strict requirements on this sort of thing than Beijing.

You should take a look at http://www.infocubic.net/ though and see if they can do what you want.

mw182006 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Posts: 310

Sent a pm.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Beijing has become pretty darn tough. I think it is showing in an increasing amount of vacancies there, but that is conjecture.

Go to www.lawandborder.com. There was a very informative article about Beijing and the current requirements posted a few months back.

Good luck!

JRJohn · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 175

Do all teaching jobs in China now require a criminal record check? If so how would I go about it?

I am from the U.K. My main concern is with time in cost. I have never been in trouble. But to get the Z visa I need a medical certificate which can only be done privately in the U.K. and may cost 400 pounds! I would then have to get a criminal record check and pay for my flight to China.
I am in Korea, and may teach in China after this contract ends.

mw182006 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Posts: 310

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

mw182006 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Posts: 310

I did not have to provide one to get a Z/RP, and I came over after the July 1, 2013 changes.

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

I was in discussion with a school in Sichuan. No CBC was required, and I was told that pre-application physical wasn't required either.

Dan123 · Joined: 08 Jan 2014 Posts: 112

RWA1981 · Joined: 27 Mar 2014 Posts: 143

The FBI background check requires a personal pickup but if you go to state law enforcement agencies, you can usually arrange pickup through an embassy if you foot the FEDEX charges.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

So I got the record check fairly easily after I found the appropriate website.

Basically, Travis County (Austin) just has a website for the district clerk. You can request a records search using email and a form on the website. All told, it cost like 8 dollars and took only two days, and the Chinese seem fine with it. It has a seal on it, signature, looks very nice and official. They emailed me a scan, and for 5 dollars more, I get a 'certified' paper copy, whatever that means.

Big cities in Texas probably have similar stuff online. For smaller towns, I am told you can just call the local police department and they will direct you to someone who can run a search. You don't have to go in person or anything.

Hope this is helpful. Oh, and for anyone thinking of moving to Beijing... probably best to go soon before they figure out how to do these record checks properly.