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A to Z Visa

 
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jaybet3



Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: Indonesia

PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:50 am    Post subject: A to Z Visa Reply with quote

At long last, I'm holding my passport with a Chinese Z Visa.

I started doing my research on China jobs and locations in February. I applied for the job on March 25th. I signed a contract on April 11th and today I got the passport back.

Next stop, Chongqing.

In total, I figure I spent about USD 1000 on the med check, criminal background check and using a service in the USA to authenticate my university diploma and process the Z Visa. Actually, the longest and hardest part of the process was getting a criminal background check in Indonesia.

Anyway, it's done and dusted and I've got a month to relax before the real fun begins.

PS: Thanks to all the info from fellow board members which helped clarify what initially was a daunting process but in practice is actually quite simple.
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asiannationmc



Joined: 13 Aug 2014
Posts: 1342

PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
In total, I figure I spent about USD 1000 on the med check, criminal background check and using a service in the USA to authenticate my university diploma and process the Z Visa.


Darn that is a lot.
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Non Sequitur



Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China

PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

About your 1st month's salary I'm guessing.
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jaybet3



Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: Indonesia

PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had to be done. It's an investment for future earnings.

If there was a cheaper way, I would've done it.

I saved myself a lot of stress by paying for someone else to handle the process and make sure it was done correctly.

If I had been living in the USA I would've done it differently, but living in SE Asia this was the best option.
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Non Sequitur



Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China

PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree.
It costs what it costs.
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LarssonCrew



Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1308

PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did 1000 USD include your flights?

Does job include housing?

If not with flight and first months living expect the total to shoot to maybe more than 2500 usd or more.
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Shanghai Noon



Joined: 18 Aug 2013
Posts: 589
Location: Shanghai, China

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 12:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jaybet3 wrote:

If I had been living in the USA I would've done it differently, but living in SE Asia this was the best option.


The document authentication might cost a little more, but medical tests in SE Asia are drastically cheaper than in the US.
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Shanghai Noon



Joined: 18 Aug 2013
Posts: 589
Location: Shanghai, China

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 12:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jaybet3 wrote:

If I had been living in the USA I would've done it differently, but living in SE Asia this was the best option.


The document authentication might cost a little more, but medical tests in SE Asia are drastically cheaper than in the US.
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Tazz



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 2:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm getting the invitation letter sent to my home address in Indonesia-will be processed at the Chinese embassy in Jakarta once it arrives.....if you were living in Indonesia, why send the passport away to the US for the visa?
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jaybet3



Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: Indonesia

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 3:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The school was originally told that the invitation letter would go to Indonesia, then someone in the Chinese government decided it had to go to my home country (USA). Strange, huh? A police check from Indonesia but the invitation letter to USA.
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jaybet3



Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: Indonesia

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 3:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

FYI: Housing is paid for and flights from Indonesia to Chongqing are cheap on Air Asia. I get a bonus at the end of my contract that should cover all my flights and original out of pocket costs.
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Tazz



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 3:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ridiculous about turn as it were........insisting that the visa must be processed in your country of origin, supposing that you've been a resident of Indonesia for some time. I wonder what they would do if you didn't have an address in the US? Shocked
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Spelunker



Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 6:53 pm    Post subject: re: flights? Reply with quote

Quote:
and flights from Indonesia to Chongqing are cheap on Air Asia.


And you will be going to grimmer winters than Indonesia, pollution, and you will be well out of pocket before your first paycheck. It must be a good salary to be worth all the effort of paying to get the docs done and so on. Also flying on the cheap on air asia, not so sure that's a good idea. But each to their own, hope ye find what ye seek in Chine.
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