Job Discussion Forums

dekkard · Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 69

Question for those who've taken a job in China having worked in another country (not your home country) beforehand.

Did you need to provide your employer with a criminal record check from that other country as well as your home country?

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

I'm from the UK and I have never provided such stuff. I have never even been asked for it. I just simply ticked a form saying I had no criminal record.

dekkard · Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 69

Thanks, when did you start in China tho? These days an official UK check is required.

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Not true.

My first job was 2009-2013.

I am literally in the process of getting my second visa now. No check required. I will work in Guangdong.

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I am applying from Russia (I live there now). Maybe if you apply in the UK embassy they require one? My Russian wife also didn't require a background check.

Come to think of it, it should make no difference which country you apply in, as the actual form I ticked and signed was sent to be used in China.

dekkard · Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 69

My Beijing employer has asked for it. Maybe a Beijing thing only?

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Yeah, it could be. I keep hearing how different provinces have different rules.

It could also be that your employer is asking for things that aren't necessary. This sometimes happens as they want to make sure they have every possible last document, whether they need them or not.

My employer told me I had to go to my home country to apply - and many people on this website said the same (except 7969, who knew the truth), but the Chinese embassy here said it was BS and they have no problem handing out visas to non-Russians.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

There are so many recent threads on this, but here we go.

Beijing has lightened up on the requirements for a criminal check. It does not have to be a national one, which is a major hassle for certain nationalities such as Americans.

I was recently looking at a job in Beijing with a school which is rather on top of things. They know I am a nomadic sort but felt strongly the local will do. You would be wise to nail it down with the employer, meaning make sure they know for sure.

In some jurisdictions you need to show you have no criminal record for other jurisdictions in China in which you have taught.

Deats: "My employer told me I had to go to my home country to apply - and many people on this website said the same (except 7969, who knew the truth), but the Chinese embassy here said it was BS and they have no problem handing out visas to non-Russians."

There may be a problem with this which has been mentioned in a few recent posts. In order for a visa to be granted in a country where the applicant does not have some sort of at least semi permanent residency the embassy must be willing to process it, and the jurisdiction in China must be willing to issue it to that third country embassy.