Job Discussion Forums

[talentedcrayon]

Hello everyone,

I am just wondering whether the Chinese government will want copies of the Xray, ECG or ultrasound reports. Or... does the form itself with my doctor's signature and stamp suffice.

The reason I am asking is that I had all of these tests done about a year ago. If I go to my doctor I am pretty sure he will just sign off on everything to say there is nothing wrong with me (which is true).

If I have to get the tests done it will take at least a month to get the ultrasound (minimum). Since it isn't medically necessary, its actually unlikely they will even give me an ultrasound period. Additionally, it will cost over $1200.00...

Anyone have recent experience (in Canada?) What did they ask you for?

Thanks!

[jimpellow]

You should not need this done at all. As of April 2014 Beijing specifically dictated that a medical before coming to China was not necessary. It is always changing, but before that it was ambiguous with the word "should" which was interpreted differently as it trickled down.

Now trying to get the Chinese at the school and other governmental levels to understand this is a different matter.

Every time this pre-med comes up, a couple posters opine that it is the school that requires this to prevent a teacher from showing up and failing the one required in country. The thinking being that this will prevent the school from having to restart the recruitment process. Besides being way too forward thinking for the average Chinese reactive brain, I have yet to seen anything written or observed that supports this.

[Nano]

[jimpellow]

Nano, I would really argue that it was not the school that required you to get a medical in Canada. The school asked for it as it was needed, along with everything else, in order to be passed on to the authorities for the invitation letter,

But the truth is that the local authorities no longer need it. They just think they need it as few of them really seem to keep on top of all the changes in a timely manner.

"Visa applicants: Under prior rules, foreigners coming to China for residence one year or longer should, when applying for visas at the Chinese embassy or other visa issuing agency abroad, get a medical exam. (2010 Implementing Rules, art. 6). Under the new regulations, this is no longer a requirement. Now, a visa-issuing agency will require a medical exam only if the officer has particular concerns about the applicant’s health condition."

[Capt Lugwash]

This has been done to death over the years. If it is required by the school then have it done in your own country but if you have a doctor who is conversant with your medical history he or she can simply write "not indicated" in many of the more stringent test boxes.

I never had x-rays, ultrasound, ECG or anything, just a ten minute affair with my GP of 10 years who knew all there was to know about me and my health. Luckily he had attended a conference in Nanning the previous year and somehow learnt what was necessary and what wasn't.

It cost me £20 and I had to do the full exam when I got here anyway so shelling out for full tests in your home country is, in my opinion, a complete waste of money.

[jimpellow]

Just to clarify the medical before coming to China WAS a requirement for the obtainment of the Z-Visa. The medical after arriving is still required for a residence permit for those who will be staying in China for a year or longer. This was pretty much the norm before 2010.

[talentedcrayon]

Thanks for your replies.

Unfortunately, the consulate in Vancouver's phone system doesn't work and half the numbers they give me are "out of service." So, I can't get any information from them without going in person... 2 hour journey...

There are two reasons I have to pay for these tests. One is that I am not a resident of Canada and do not have BCHI. The other is that, even if I was a resident and had BCHI, the tests are not medically necessary. Therefore, we have to pay full price. It was actually my job to manage billing for this stuff in my last job.

Can I just go to my GP and get him to fill out the form? Or is there a "special" approved hospital or clinic I need to go to?

[Shanghai Noon]

[talentedcrayon]

Thank you Shanghainoon.

I will call them tomorrow morning. This whole thing is such a headache.

[Capt Lugwash]

Your GP completes the form and stamps it.

[jimpellow]

Why don't you just inform them that a medical is not required? That would seem to be the panacea for the headache. Very sad that the foreigner always picks up the tab for their inability to get their act together.

I am baffled that you are allowed to obtain the visa in Canada. Where is the school located?

[eihpos]

Do the authorities really not need it in all provinces though? The HR in my school insisted on having a 'pre med' and when I gently tried to tell them it wasn't necessary, they said it was needed to apply for the work permit. They seemed very sure about that and have appeared to be very on top of things. This in Jiangsu.
I submitted a 2 year old xray and the doctor marked N/A in the ECG box - it was no problem! They were more concerned with the doctor's signature on my picture.

[wangdaning]

[talentedcrayon]

The school is going to pay all the costs involved with acquiring my visa. I negotiated that with them before. However, I still want to lower the cost as much as possible... just in case they decide not to honor that later.

This is more because the government in Shanxi requires it for the visa.

I will call my GP and make an appointment. I'll also call the Visa centre tomorrow to see what is actually needed. Their website makes no mention of a health check for a z visa.

The two year old xray thing makes me feel good

[Shanghai Noon]