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plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

The final apostille is all that matters before sending it off for authentication. If you get it apostilled without the county clerk's certification, that's fine.

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

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

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

So there you have it, folks. Get your degree authenticated by the NP and book keeper at JimBob's Country Kitchen. And if you "graduate" from one of them there schools (that we can't talk about here) that Garr-un-tee on the back that it's the real thang uh-huh, you're all set to go 'cuz that's exactly what them Chinese at the consulate want. Maybe you can get someone at Lee Chong's Fast Wok to authenticate your degree ('cuz he's Chinese)and bypass the consulate's authentication process too. That's a lot more cheaper and more faster.

Looks like them shortcuts sure save a lot of time, and if the reportin' is correct, you'll slip right through the visa application process slick as a snake wearin' Vaseline hair tonic.

Uh-huh. Uh-huh.

I know when I'm wrong and when I done got took by the Secretary of State and the Department of State. You betcha.

I A-pol-o-gize.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Wicked Stepmother · Joined: 01 Dec 2016 Posts: 49

I thought I would give the British side. I approached my university and their website said they could not help with notarisation. Instead they suggested going through a professional legal organisation, and gave a link to this company:

http://www.apostille.org.uk/verifying-copy-degree-certificates

I paid about £171 and that dealt with everything: the apostille, the UK government department and the Chinese embassy attestation. It took a few weeks because this was at the beginning of November and there was a holiday at the Chinese embassy, but it was the real deal.

Osiry · Joined: 19 Mar 2015 Posts: 84 Location: Nanjing

Just to throw my 2c in:

Here is my experience in New Zealand.

I had to get a notary pubic (usually someone associated with a law firm, but there are retired folks who can do this for a small fee) to verify the authenticity of the original degree, and sign/stamp a copy. I then sent the copy to the Department of Internal Affairs, who verified the seal and name etc of the notary who signed/stamped it.
It was then sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who verify the seal of the Department of Internal Affairs, and provide a verified translation.
After this, it's time to take it to the Chinese consulate for the final verification and authentication.
This was quite a process, with somebody at every stop getting a piece of the pie. The government departments were a breeze to deal with though, so although it took a long time to get it all done, it was relatively painless.

backtochina2017 · Joined: 28 Nov 2016 Posts: 123

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

For Americans here it is again:

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ywzn/lsyw/gzrz/rzcx/

Note: The notarization pertains to a COPY that a notary has made and affixed his stamp. There exists a list of states that don't require the Department od State (federal) step. Maybe someone can post a url for that.

backtochina2017 · Joined: 28 Nov 2016 Posts: 123

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

If you followed the directions to the T, you're all set. I don't remember whether you can send all of your paperwork off to the consulate to have their expert authenticate your degree AND issue the Z visa. If you use a courier service such as TDS (Travel Document Systems), you can ask them. They are often one step ahead of the consulate.

backtochina2017 · Joined: 28 Nov 2016 Posts: 123

"I don't remember whether you can send all of your paperwork off to the consulate to have their expert authenticate your degree AND issue the Z visa."

My understanding is that I need to validate my diploma before a work permit and invitation letter are issued. The consulate trip doesn't happen until I get both to take with the other stuff to the consulate.

I did try calling around yesterday and was told, "We charge by distance and Detroit to Chicago would cost at least $1,000 one way."

Another person in Chicago is willing to do it for $35 but I imagine I would need to mail them everything which is a bit of a risk. If there is a place like TDS which will do it cheaper and I can just deliver to them nearby and then pick up for a reasonable rate then I will probably do that instead.

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

FedEx it overnight to TDS. Contact TDS to see how fast they can turnit around. They might even be able to tell you what the Express service costs .

TDS doesn't charge anywhere near $1,000.00. Signed, sealed, and delivered the whole process shouldn't cost more than $200.00.

TDS does a good job. Give them a call.

https://www.traveldocs.com/about-us/our-offices

backtochina2017 · Joined: 28 Nov 2016 Posts: 123

Thanks, I did look at that TDS site. I may go with them.

It looks like I don't have to send my diploma notarized to them though. In the steps it doesn't state to include, just the invitation letter, work permit, passport photo, driver's license copy and the form filled.

Do you think I would need to send the diploma with this stuff or is it just for the work permit and invitation letter?

Also, I found another site which listed states which need US Department of State Authentication.

"Documents issued in certain states must be authenticated by the US Department of State after certification by local secretary of state’s office. These states include Washington DC, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. CVSC can help with this process for a fee." - http://www.mychinavisa.com/document-authentication/

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

Unless the application process has changed recently, yes, you need to send your authenticated degree and all of your other paperwork to the Chinese consulate in order to obtain your Z visa. Check to see if your degree needs to be authenticated by the consulate too. Mine was. That may have changed.

TDS should have told you this. Perhaps you should ask directly.

If you have a school lined up, ask your contact there (probably a recruiter).

If you don't have a school lined up, you should start applying and start asking the schools about the required protocol. Strangely, if you actually manage to contact a school directly, it may not know the protocol. A seasoned recruiter usually knows exactly what you will have to do.

I went through this a long time ago. Since then there has been a whole lot of talk about alternate ways of dealing with the consulate, where to obtain a work permit and a Z visa, and other such things. I'm not in a position to separate fact from fiction except where I have personal experience. Check your local Chinese consulate that has jurisdiction.Read and re-read its directives. I am sure that you'll have to send your authenticated degree along with your health check, letter of invitation, etc..