Job Discussion Forums

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Hi
I have been issued the invitation letter, but due to a medical problem have had to delay my start in China. I have been told that the invitation letter is valid for 3 months only.
My query is this - is that 3 months the time frame before applying for the Z visa in my country? Or is it the time-frame within which I must apply for work permit and finalise everything in China?
Thanks a lot - any info much appreciated...

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

Dear OP,

The Invitation Letter is issued on the premise that you will commence employment on a certain date with a specific employer. In the public sector, invitation letters are usually more-or-less time sensitive -- meaning even if they are good for 90-days from date of issuance, if the employer expects yon on September 1, 2008 and you arrive on December 1, 2008, you might be in for a very big surprise.

If you are being considered by a language mill or private sector company, then all of this is at their entire discretion -- they may or may not be willing to wait for you, they may or may not invalidate the letter of invitation.

The current market is totally skewed here in China because of the g*mes and the visa difficulties that have arisen as a result of this. Nonetheless, the Chinese are quite savvy or leery so to speak of the "I'm ill, I'll arrive in a little while" gig...not that I am doubting you, not at all, truly, it's just that their experience is that this has, at least in the past, been a subterfuge for "I'm really looking for another job".

The bottom line is this. In your shoes, I would contact the employer, lay out the situation, indicate a proposed date of arrival and judge their reaction accordingly. The current job market is a job hunter's market, so to speak, and this may give you a great deal of leverage, depending upon the institution, its credibility, etc., etc.

But please remember that if you decide to use their letter of offer / invitation, etc., with the intent of coming here and going to work somewhere else, well, under the current rules, you may find things really, really difficult or complicated, including a trip out-of-the-country.

Please let us know how this plays out and all the best to you,

NCL

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

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

seperley · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 36

Will the consulate accept that paperwork within ninety days of issuance when you send it in for the visa?

The school will never see my copy after it sends it to me. And my current letter of invitation has NO perforated top.

Mine has an approximate arrival date, however. If I send the letter of invitation AFTER that date, will the Chinese consulate honor it and issue a visa, or must I ask for another letter of invitation from the provincial government via the school?

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Hi again,

Thanks for all the information - however I most definitely wish to work for the school which got me the invitation letter - no 'funny business' here...just concern about the validity period, as I wrote in my first post.
I am sure it is all specified on the invitation letter, but I cannot read Chinese....
Any more answers to my original post and to the last poster would be much appreciated.
I am wondering at what point the school would have to get me a fresh invitation letter in order to make the process possible...

Much appreciated.

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

jamesmollo · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 276 Location: jilin china

You have 3 months from the date of issue of the invitation letter to deal with your visa in your home country. There will be a date on your letter for beginning the contract in china, this can be changed. the z-visa gives you 90days (in china) to have it changed to the required residence permit.
If you have a medical problem best keep this to yourself until it is resolved. If it is a serious problem you won't be able to work - depending on what it is.

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

As best I remember you have 3 months to use the invitation letter to get a z-visa. Then you have three months to use the z-visa.
Once you arrive in CHina, as NCL said, the z-visa gives you only 30 days. This I know 100%

jamesmollo · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 276 Location: jilin china

My mistake there sorry folks. When I got my z-visa recently there was a note stapled into my passport to have it changed to a residence permit within 30 days of entry into china. and to report to the p.s.b

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

ncl

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

Dear Arioch36,

Excuse my incomplete answer. When I reread it, I saw that it was not complete.

I have two colleagues, each of whom were issued Z visas in the United States. The deadline for entry into China (meaning the time to use the visa) was reduced from 90-days in both cases to 30-days in each case and then the stay itself, once they entered, was still 30-days, non-renewable.

All the best,

NCL

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Thanks to all of you for your insightful answers....very useful.