Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

The original question was, did any of you go through the medical I described, and the time frame necessary and your comments about the process would be welcome?

Thank you.

Ghost in Saudi

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

buravirgil · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 10:58 am Post subject:

Ghost,

I came to China on a Z visa in February. My last position was in KSA. *Jinx*
As in KSA, a medical report (emailed to me) was required before and after. A six month window was true for both countries. The only tip I can offer is that if you bring results (Xray and ECG I think), those tests won't be repeated and no charge made (for those tests).

But like Saudi, my understanding is a medical clearance is a two step process to audit and confirm information that recruiters (and even schools) might fudge were bureaucrats not in need of jobs too.

Most any doctor's office can conduct the tests, though a lab may be remote, and a delay. In the US, I went to an "emergent" care franchise. Such medical reports might not have ever been seen by some while merely uncommon to others. Work from the document. Show the assistant/desk what you have, don't be in a hurry, have them look it over as they might have to call someone until its purpose is made clear by someone with experience.

Of the two clearances, Saudi's was the more extensive and expensive by far. Teachers from western countries with socialized health care aren't as aware of the expense.

Cheers

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Thanks for those details. 25 pounds is a bargain for that test. In Canada a test like that might cost hundreds of dollars, and probably not covered by the health card.

Ghost in Saudi

Piper2 · Joined: 13 Jun 2014 Posts: 146

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

I don't know whether I need to take a medical here in Saudi (where I have been resident for the past 7 years with an Iqama), because the FAO at the university I will be going to in China never asked for nor mentioned a medical. I am hoping I will not have to take it here in Saudi, because it can be a painful process here in more ways than one with all the bureaucracy, etc.

I have been permitted to do the process from Saudi, because that is where I have been resident for the past 7 years. I am no longer a Canadian resident.

The question which is pertinent, is will the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh, give me a visa for China without supplying a medical, and that is the question I have? I think some people obtained visas for China without taking a medical in their countries of residence? That is because they will have to take a medical as a matter of course, once they arrive in China.

But, to be on the safe side, I will try to get a medical done here in Saudi, and hope the process is not too onerous or time consuming.

Thank you.

Ghost in Saudi

Piper2 · Joined: 13 Jun 2014 Posts: 146

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

I am not sure that doing the medical just in case is worth it, especially without first finding out if there are only particular medical centres they will accept the check ups from.

Find out if you need a physical first. In the States, med checks are expensive (provided that you have everything checked as required by the Chinese form).

Each contract I've signed while I was in the States specifies that only government/state hospitals' physical examinations will be accepted. Guess what? In the States, the only government-run hospital that one will find is a Veterans Administration hospital and a state hospital for the insane. (There might be a few state hospitals still running, but most were shut down during the Reagan administration).

The Chinese consulates in the States will accept results of a physical exam from any licensed clinic. As long as the Chinese form has lots of rubber stamps on it, it'll be accepted.

Really.

And it doesn't matter which Chinese consulate one uses to process his paperwork. I live in the D.C. jurisdiction, but I've had my paperwork handled in NYC.

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 4:07 am Post subject:

My upcoming employer in China said the medical exam will be done when I get to China. I should have my Z visa by the 25th of this month - before I go to China. So, at the very least, my employer seems to think a medical exam is required.

There was nothing in the application for the visa about getting a medical exam as a prerequisite for the visa and the service I'm using to physically go get the visa (Travisa Visa Service) said all of the paperwork I sent them was in order and there was nothing else I needed. (Using the service is saving me the cost of flying to New York City and staying in a hotel, which would have been significantly more than I'm paying for the service).

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

My employer is insisting that I must have the medical done at home and scan it to them before they apply for the invitation letter. I asked them about this as I have been to China before, and had a med done prior to going, only to have another done there by the company, which was a pain. The med I spent loads of money on was never needed by anyone! Anyway, my current employer explained that though maybe It is not needed to apply for visa in my country, it is necessary for them to apply for the work permit. So I'm gathering they are applying for the work permit before I get there, and my previous employer didn't apply for it until after I arrived, which is why I didn't receive it for a month after I started work (so I was technically working illegally for a month, I guess!)

Piper2 · Joined: 13 Jun 2014 Posts: 146

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Hmm - I don't know why my employer is asking for a pre med then. They said it was necessary for the local authority to apply for the work permit, and don't seem willing to consider doing it in China. They say the will reimburse me. Could it vary in different provinces? I'm going to Jiangsu, Suzhou, where I've heard it's pretty strict.

Piper2 · Joined: 13 Jun 2014 Posts: 146

Chancellor · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:22 pm Post subject:

I just received a scanned copy of my Z visa in my e-mail. Expecting the original to come back with my passport next week. So, at least here in the US a physical wasn't required for the Z visa. Now, once I get to China, an exam may very well be required, especially for a residency permit.

fpshangzhou · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 280

I've heard Jiangsu province, particularly Suzhou is as strict as Shanghai regarding rules for teaching. I've just finished my medical at the Shanghai med center and they had a sign at the cashier to present medical checks from back home or taken there within 6 months. Again, like others have posted, depends on the city and typical BS red tape required in the respective city/province.