Job Discussion Forums

[CWanders]

The subcontractor my company has hired to process my visa requested a recommendation letter. I sent them one. Then, they sent me a model more along the lines of an employment confirmation letter and asked me to obtain a signed copy. I did. Now, they're saying they need one from a company I've been employed with for over one year. I graduated a couple years ago, but I haven't stuck with a single company for over a year.

Is this letter a non-negotiable visa requirement?

[North China Laowei]

This is all a little bit vague and a few more details might help us to give you an answer.

Have you already worked in China? Have you been issued a residence permit / Z visa int the past? Are you in China at present?

Or

Are you applying for a Z visa for the first time overseas?

The answers to these questions will very much shape the answers that we can give you.

NCL

[CWanders]

I'll be applying for my first Z visa, from my home country.
Is a "recommendation"/employment confirmation letter a standard requirement for the Employment License?

[North China Laowei]

[Moon Over Parma]

Are you talking about the invitation letter? Regarding a recommendation letter, some folks want good words from previous employers. Sometimes the "recommendation latter" isn't a letter at all but a form that states your previous employer says you're done with them and that they will wrap up any paperwork on your end, and if you're able to do your job. It's a form more than a letter, and used when leaving a school within China, but Chinglish is as Chinglish does.

[Anda]

Are you getting a Z visa to do something other than teach Enlish? I think however that you only need a university diploma which might have to be a four year degree.



http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/community/index.php/2008/04/25/guide_to_getting_your_z_visa_work_aamp_r?blog=5

5. Qualification Documents like your Diploma or other Professional Certification or Reference letters from your former company
The application must be filled out TWICE as they need TWO copies. Make sure to check before you go submit the forms as it MAY require a company seal. This application process takes 5 days (Cost was 10 rmb I think) the Work License is a laminated green 2-sided certificate with basic info about you and the company hiring you.

[jamesmollo]

The invitation letter will suffice for a z-visa. You may or may not need additional paperwork in china depending on where you go to get a residence permit. i.e work references. You could just write them yourself, of course. Assuming you haven't worked here before

[Leon Purvis]

Some schools want two letters of recommendation. My first Chinese employer requested one in 2004. After that, I didn't need one.

[letchluther]

They are an "invitation" requirement for 99% of schools.
If you are not asked to provide one, its likely the school invented one on your behalf, in fact, for most provinces, two are needed.

[jamesmollo]

Are you talking about applying for a z-visa in your home country? For this you just need an invitation letter(original) or are you talking about changing a z-visa into a residence permit? For this you need additional paperwork. It varies from province to province, city to city.
If you have worked in china before this is easier. Even just having stamps in your passport can 'pass' the supposed requirements like work references. I got my fourth residence permit recently without any references or degree. I have them but they weren't required.
best of luck

[CWanders]

The visa preparer is saying that, because of Olympics-related tightened regulations, I need this "recommendation letter" to apply for an Employment License.

My understanding is that my company needs the Employment License before it can obtain an Invitation Letter which I will then use to apply for a Z visa in my home country.

My question was whether this letter was an actual legal requirement or whether the visa preparer was just being hyper-cautious because of the Olympics.

Thanks for the responses.

[jamesmollo]

The employer needs to have an 'employment licence' to be able to hire you and provide you with an invitation letter, true.
You need a foriegn expert's certificate to work legally as a foreign teacher. You get this in china, however. You may well need a recommendation letter to get the latter, it depends on whether you have worked here previously. People have said you need 2 years teaching experience these days?

[Leon Purvis]

Okay, folks BACK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION: Does the OP need a letter of recommendation.

If the prospective employer asks for one or two, yes, you will need to supply a letter of recommendation from either past employers or professional people who know of your work.

Some consulate websites mention this solely because some employers (including some schools) ask for them.

The letter of recommendation is NOT the same as a letter of invitation which IS required in order to secure a Z visa. Your prospective employer school will apply to the provincial government ON YOUR BEHALF for that. The school, in turn, will forward it to you. You then submit the letter of invitation with your visa (and any other paperwork required by your consulate of jurisdiction) with your visa application.

[Tsuris]

[North China Laowei]