Job Discussion Forums

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai

I've successfully used visa agents in HK to get different visas, except the Z, but China has become a really hostile place to get work visas nowadays due to the Olympics.
I'm really not willing to return to my home country to do this, but it appears to be a necessity. However, the school I'm with mentioned that another teacher had been able to use an agent (while outside of China, but not in their home country) to obtain the Z visa. The owner mentioned that this was done with a visa agent in their home country, either the US or Canada. Has anyone heard of this or tried it before themselves with any success? How should I approach this situation?

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

Um, I've heard that things are going to ease up again in the next one to two months. So if you can hold out a bit things will get better again soon. My information is accurate that much I can say.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:08 am Post subject: Re: Um

samhouston · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 418 Location: LA

I think even back in April the government was quoted in papers saying things would magically return to the normal level of subterfuge on October 17. But given the fact that when the dragnet went into force, no one (visa agents, Chinese employers, embassy people, etc.) knew any hard specifics on the new regulations at all, I can imagine that IF they loosen things again in October, there will be another giant clusterf*** until the dust settles again and enough personal experiences are recounted for us to get somewhat of an idea of the real picture.

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai

I was thinking about the irony of China hosting the '08 Olympics with the supposed global embracing it was to encourage, only for the Chinese government to respond with visa regs that actively discourage foreigners to migrate here for employment and business. When will people learn?

samhouston · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 418 Location: LA

Hmmmm... The October changes were for F-visas, if I recall (And no one on this board has any reason to get an F-visa, right?). I wouldn't mind a nice 12-month F myself...

Does anyone know when China will rescind the requirement that we take a flight back to our home countries to get a stamp, then fly back four hours later? I used to think that having to go to Hong Kong was silly, but that seems quite convenient, nice even, compared to flying to the Big Nowhere and back.

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

Um, it is going back to what it used to be like. All my friends are Chinese in everyday life and some in good positions and I was told this infomation through them. So hold on a bit longer if you are in a position to do so as restrictions are going to ease before much longer. It will be for the Z visa in general meaning for business as well in fact what I was told was more related to business end of the Z visa. I have heard nothing on the age issue but.

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai

The thing is, my latest visa expires on 9/21. Previous to this, I had extended before so I don't believe it's possible to wait it out until October. And then again, the October date isn't exactly defined. Ah, what to do but pony up some big $ to go all the way back to fatherland.