Job Discussion Forums

Bakunin · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 21

I've been offered a job in China.
But since I last worked there, the regulations are tighter, and I must get my Degree authenticated. I'm British but am living in Thailand. A recruiter gave me the name of a Chinese Travel agency in London, who can do all of the legwork on my behalf for a fee of 160 quid. The thing is, Britain has Data protection laws tighter than a gnat's arse. Even my sister can't do it on my behalf. And I can't do it online either. So, I would like to ask: Is this Legit? My University isn't going to give my details to a third party. The name of the travel agent is: 5 Star Travel, London. Any and all advice would be most welcome.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

I did it through http://www.apostille.org.uk/ only 3 months ago. I’m in China so sent it by dhl and got it back about 2 weeks later. It looks fine, solicitor and embassy were done. I think it cost 160 and dhl was 50. There’s no reason why you can’t do the same from Thailand!

slamb · Joined: 27 Apr 2014 Posts: 6

Why can't you do it online? Is this the website you tried?

https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

I'm planning to get a copy of my degree notarised by the British Embassy in Bangkok then send it to the Legalisation Office in the UK, via my parents' address. Couldn't you do the same but use your sister's address?

AsiaMinor · Joined: 19 Nov 2017 Posts: 5

This is the procedure I did last year:

1. Certification by a UK Solicitor where needed (a Notary Public is not needed). In this case the work will be done on a certified copy rather than on the original, though can be done on the original on request.

2.Apostille legalisation by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

3.Consular legalisation by the Chinese Embassy in London

All the British Embassy in Bangkok does is make a copy and state -" This is a true copy made by me of a document presented by....etc..."

And then it's stamped and signed by the Pro Consul, who is Thai.
As far as I know, the FCO will only accept from a UK Solicitor who is in their database.

AsiaMinor · Joined: 19 Nov 2017 Posts: 5

@Bakunin
The Solicitor will ask you to sign a consent form to approach your University. That’s if they feel they need to further verify that the degree certificate is genuine.

Gazoo1000 · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Location: There

Some provinces are using the new verification process which began in 2016.

My US college degree has the apostille from the US State Department. But this is no longer of value to the my new employer in Shandong Province.

The new process is to go through the Ministry of Education's Overseas Study Service Center. But the process takes a month and a half. Only after you have complete this process can you apply for your residence permit and work permit. Does anyone know if there is a way to expedite this process with an additional fee?

The number for this ministry department is: 010 – 6267 7800, only in Chinese of course (I don't speak Chinese).

Thanks,

Gazoo1000 · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Location: There

Since my last post here, just hours ago. I have learned that the hiring company I am dealing with has been completely wrong about this process.

I have now learned that the process is only two weeks and for an extra fee there is an expedited process. If anyone knows a good agency that can handle this for me please pass the info along.

Thanks!

Spatula City · Joined: 28 Jul 2015 Posts: 71

For people like me who are currently within China but haven't had to verify their degrees yet, each province and/or large city actually has places where degrees can be authenticated within China, and the authentication can be used in the residence permit/FEC process.

Look for places like this:

http://www.fjotic.com/

It says on the website that they authenticate foreign degrees... probably for Chinese overseas students who return to China?

In Beijing, this can be done for about 375 yuan, and I know for a fact that this verification was used on a non-authenticated degree which was then turned into a normal residence permit/FEC/FWC/whatever.

There is PROBABLY no need to send it home, go through multiple steps, etc... but of course there's no telling what terrible frustrations you might encounter in other provinces.

Gazoo1000 · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Location: There

To refine this point, the new rules require that college degrees are authenticated in China. This is the new rule.

This is the website to paste into your browser. It is the government agency that handles this: 申请人登录-教育部留学服务中心国（境）外学历学位认证申请系统

If you follow the instructions and include a scan of your college transcripts the process is two weeks. Otherwise it can take over a month.

I am using the below company to help submit the forms (Shanghai):

Hive Digital Solutions
Scott
[email protected]