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[Ajarn Miguk]

Need some help, folks.

I'm trying to get an answer as to how extensive and what form the overseas medical check must take for issuance of a Z visa? I can't seem to get a clear answer from the Embassy and I don't want to find out at the last minute that I got the wrong type. Is it expected to be a real physical exam with x-rays, bloodwork, urine, etc., or will just a visit to the local MD do the trick?

Thanks.

[Minhang Oz]

Ajarn
The last time I had a medical in Australia, it was using an embassy provided pro-forma. Anything else would be a waste of time.
Check your local embassy website; it should be there for you to download.
Make sure your doctor carries out EVERY test on the form, or you'll probably have to get the whole thing done again here - a common occurence.

[Ajarn Miguk]

[Minhang Oz]

You can find an English language form for the foreigner medical at:

www.china-embassy.org/visapassport/english/qzbg.htm

You need Form BG-14, and Acrobat Reader to download.

MODERATORS Should this be a sticky?

[lost&confused]

The embassy told me a general practioner was fine as long as he/she performed all the tests listed on the BG-14 Physical Examination for Foreigner form. So, I went to my family doctor who did all that - blood work, X-ray, EKG and all the rest and signed the form. Then I emailed a scanned copy of the form to my prospective China employer.

Great! Problem was as soon as I got to China, my employer took me to the local hospital (along with other teachers) and repeated the whole thing again. All of it. From what I've heard, this is SOP throughout China.

So, why spend your own money? My advice is to wait till you get to China (my test there was very professional using new, clean disposable syringes) and let your employer pay, since he probably will whether you have it done at home or not.

[Cobra]

[Wolf]

Heh heh.

I was living in Japan when I wanted to come to China. So I found an English speaking doctor (Hey, I speak Japanese but I guessed that English would be my best bet - esp trying to get into China!) and had him give me a "test." I described what it was for, and he BSed half of it. We just made it up as we went. It sounded all official and stuff.

Then here's the kicker: He hanko - ed it with his clinic's stamp and his own personal stamp. I stapled the (also stamped) reciept to the test. Now, a Japanese hanko is a red - ink stamp that they use to sign documents (no writing your name to sign things). And - of course - the're covered with Chinese characters (duh.) So my medical check had what looked a lot like not one but two offical chops on it! I got my Z visa issued on that tomfoolery!

Well, actually it seems wierd that they wouldn't notice the (obviously) Japanese name, etc of the clinic. But they took the report (Just on blank paper with what the doc and I cooked up. I was even the one that typed it!) at face value - and I did see them stare at the hankos (heh "chops") for a moment or two before accepting it off me.

PS The Chinese do seem utterly oblivious to the substantial cultural similarities with the Japanese (and vice versa.)

[Roger]

The medical exam performed in CHINA is done to determine whether you are HIV-free. HIV-carriers are not allowed to work in the PR of C.
The fact that you underwent a medical test in another country does not absolve you from this duty in China; local authorities won't even trust Chinese professional peers in a different city, or worse: Province, let alone a foreign doctor!

AIDS is reputed to be a 'foreigners' disease'. Therefore the repetition.

[Ajarn Miguk]

MO--Thanks for the lead to the form. Will get back to you with more questions, I'm sure! Thanks to all.