Job Discussion Forums

svaldezi · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 36

I asked a couple recruiters but couldn't get a straight answer. Is not possible to get a z visa unless you are in your home country? So if I was in Thailand and tried getting z visa (I'm American). Would I have to just go back home because the consulate would end up saying that anyways.

murray1978 · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 84

I have heard that you have to get your Z visa from your home country. When I was offered a teaching job in China while I was in Korea, I was told to head back to my home country and get my Z visa there.

The school really wanted me and offered to reimburse me for my flight back to Canada and back because it was a hassle.

Knedliki · Joined: 08 May 2015 Posts: 160

If you look on the Chinese embassy's website for whichever country you're in it should tell you if it's possible or not.

I came from Thailand to China before on a z-visa, but I had a Thai work visa, it wasn't possible with just a Thai tourist visa.

Each country probably has its own rules.

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

You CAN get your Z visa from another country. It depends on the embassy.

I am applying for mine in Russia. As long as you have a work visa to show that you are currently living in that country then they will give you the visa.

It would be ridiculous to make you go to your home country when you live and work in a different country. You can't just fly back to your home country to apply for a visa - after all you have work commitments!

This has been my experience when applying for work and tourist visas around the world. If you can prove you don't live in your home country then they SHOULD always grant you the visa.

Heck, my last Chinese Z visa I also got in Russia and I was only there as a tourist - that was a few years ago, but I had no problems - not even a medical exam was necessary.

I would advise ringing or visiting the consulate where you want to apply and check with them. There is no real reason why they can't issue you with a Z visa from any country as long as you have the correct documents.

I want to also say that some people say it is impossible to get a Z visa for Guangdong in a 3rd country. Nonsense. When I spoke with the Chinese embassy, the question was never even raised about where I would work. My Z visa is for Guangdong. Also the FAO in China are clueless. They also told me to go back to England. It simply isn't true. They just tell you what they think with no real understanding of how it plays out in embassies in other countries - after all, they have never done the process themselves.

The_Kong · Joined: 15 Apr 2014 Posts: 349

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

With the 2013-2014 changes in visa laws, the standard is that you need to return to your home country. However, it is possible in the event that both of the following are true:

1. The jurisdiction which covers the school is willing to allow a visa to be processed outside of your home country.

2. The embassy in the third country is willing to process it.

(I should note that sometimes the nationality of the applicant seems to come into play for odd reasons.)

I expect this to ease with time as schools bitch on how difficult it is to now recruit teachers. I really can see no logic behind the home country requirement.

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

svaldezi · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 36

Thank you everyone for the replies.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Something else that is utterly hilarious about China's 'strict' Z visa policy. My uni sent me a piece of paper that said this BS:

I, _________________________________ hereby make this commitment: I do not have any criminal record before I sign this commitment. And I will observe the laws, decrees and relevant regulations enacted by the Chinese government when I work in China.

Followed by signature and date.

Hahaha. This was a whole A4 sheet containing nothing else. This was my background check. This is obviously because I am from the UK and not the US. But seriously? I genuinely don't have a criminal record, I'm clean as a whistle. But this form is such a joke. I can't believe some people need FBI background checks and what not. Laughable.

3701 W.119th · Joined: 26 Feb 2014 Posts: 386 Location: Central China

Ha! I got the same form, Deats.

I had already sent them my UK background check from last July, but they didn't even acknowledge it.