Job Discussion Forums

[jim_brava]

After being warned by Disclosure Scotland that the criminal check would take two weeks plus postage time, it ended up taking four days in total.

However, I have run into Dan's issue, whereby the solicitor had no idea what he was meant to do with it. He apparently just certified both the degree and criminal check scans as true copies, which is seems to be sufficient for the former but not the latter.

Basically, the criminal record check needs to go back to Disclosure Scotland for a verification of their own document, which, while free, will add precious time to the overall process.

Why Disclosure Scotland can't stamp their own document before sending it is anyone's guess, but at least it arrived early in the first place.

[jim_brava]

OK, I am about to post the Degree Certificate and Criminal Record Check to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (i.e. Step 2) for legalization, but trying to work out how to coordinate the very awkward Chinese Embassy stamp (i.e Step 3) that follows it.

In short, the Chinese Embassy does not accept documents by post.

Has anyone here used a London-based courier for this? On the Chinese Embassy website, it says that the person submitting the documents on my behalf must being their passport and a scan of their passport. In this case, would this be the courier him/herself? Seems a bit weird.

I am in Asia, and don't really have any friends or family in central London for whom this request wouldn't feel to me like an excessive burden.

[DanF1982]

I used China Visa Direct to get some of my documents processed as we were abroad. Cost was £110 per document for FCO and Chinese embassy legalisation including all associated fees.

The service was very good and was quick, we had a slight issue as wife's surname has changed since she graduated. Was quickly informed of the problem, sent a scan of marriage certificate and the problem was quickly solved.

[slamb]

Hi. I'm working in Bangkok ATM but am moving to China in August so am about to embark on the process myself. Here's the tentative plan:

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

1. Apply to Disclosure Scotland for a basic criminal check.

2. Have it returned to my parent's address in the UK, if possible, then sent directly back to be notarised.

3. Parents will send to the UK Legalisation Office then return back to me.

4. Take to the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok.

DEGREE CERTIFICATE

1. Get it notarised by the British Embassy in Bangkok. (I've already had to do this for my BSc due to Thai immigration requirements & it's a straightforward process)

2. Send the notarised copy to the UK Legalisation Office then return back to me.

3. Take the legalised copy to the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok.

Have I missed anything?