Job Discussion Forums

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

I got mine in China after arriving on a tourist visa 18 months ago but this is now not allowed in some locations but in others it is still happening. So it depends where you are going to work in China.

Leon Purvis · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:24 am Post subject:

Do you have a job yet? Lots of places in Mongolia require a local U.S. police background check to accompany the job application.

AussieGuyInChina · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 403

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

Per the sticky ...

bearcanada · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 312 Location: Calgary, Canada

joeyc;

If I understand your question correctly, you can apply from almost anywhere. A visa is PERMISSISON to enter a country, and therefore an application must be made from OUTSIDE the country, at a Chinese government consulate. It usually doesn't matter which other country or what kind of visa is required; the above rule still applies. If you are already IN a country on a valid visa, you can get an extension while in that country, but the original must be obtained from outside.

However, it is much easier to apply to a consulate in your own country, or at least an English-speaking one, for two reasons. One is the obvious language problem and the other is that visas are often easier to obtain in a (major) Western country.

For e.g., in Canada it is easy to obtain a 12-month multiple-entry tourist or business visa to China, but in Hong Kong or other places many people complain that the best they can get is a single-entry for 3 or 6 months. It's things like this that may affect your decision.

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arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

If you have your invitation letter you can get your z-visa in any embassy/consulate outside of China proper, in any other country, and in Hong Kong, I would assume Macau as well

AussieGuyInChina · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 403

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

flutterbayou · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 244

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

I totally disagree with the post above. This comes from personal experience of picking up my Z-Visa while between jobs and on vacation.

Check with the consulate of the country you will be travelling through. Call them if you have to.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

flutter

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

I should add that if you are from a poorer country, you may need to meet stricter criteria.
For instance, I know that Nigerians now must meet stricter requirements then Canada, US UK

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

A Letter of Invitation/Z Visa can be processed at any Chinese Embassy/Consulate you can legally access in the world.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

not every consulate provides the same services. i highly doubt that the chinese consulate in paraguay (for example) issues Z visas since there is likely no demand for them in that country. most consulates offer the same basic services, and all services over and above those depend on the demands of that particular region vis a vis china. this rule applies to the consulates of most countries.

as for getting the Z visa in your home country, thats fine if you live in a place like the netherlands. but in larger countries (canada) getting the Z visa can be a real headache, involving the post or a long and expensive drive in a car. last time i obtained a chinese visa in toronto, the consulate refused to accept my prepaid courier envelope to send it back to me. i had to do a second five hour round trip by car to pick it up a week later. you never know what to expect at some of these consulates.

in fact, Hong kong is the easiest place to get the Z visa. they issue them every day, they speak english, and they provide the fastest and probably cheapest service.