Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

So I got my invitation letter. My Chinese isn't that good. But I know that it says

one entry
good for 3 months before entry
visa good for 365 days. Don't know what visa it is though.

While I'm very happy to get an invitation letter, with my husband as an accompanying family member. It says that I have to go all the way back to the US just for the visa. Sounds strange to me. I live in Peru and am a Peruvian citizen by marriage. My husband and I will apply for the visa at the same time. He doesn't hve a US visa, so I don't know how he could go to the US for the interview at the CHinese Embassy.

So even though it says that I have to apply in the US, in there anyway that I could apply here IN Peru?

And my understanding is that I don't have to apply in the country where I'm a citizen, but in the country where I live. At least that's what I was told at the Chinese Embassy in LIma. So why in the world would they want me to go back to the US, after leaving 8 years ago, just to apply for a visa?!

I'm, just really frustrated at the moment. I have a contract, job, invite letter, but no way to get the visa.

[brsmith15]

I'm asuming there's a Chinese embassy in Lima. Check with them first. They may be able to take care of the problem.

If not, You might be able to use an agent in the US to get the necessary visas.

[naturegirl321]

I hope so, but the fact that it says in English and CHinese that I have to apply in the US makes me think that I can't do it here. Otherwise, do you thik if I sent it to my mom and she DHLed it to the Consulate in CHicago that they would give the visa? I mean, you don't have to go in person, do you? My three Chinese visas that I got abroad were all done by mail.

[Hansen]

Nature girl,

Have a try. Sometimes, when you try, you can get things done that won't get done by handwringing. Of course, you could also lose your passport in the process, but that's another issue.

Considering the salaries involved, most candidates won't find consulting an immigration attorney practical. In some cases, it may be worthwhile.

I know one immgration attorney who has a website. He clearly tells how individuals in one country may legally immigrate to another country, with little difficulty, if they are qualified.

A good immigration attorney can be a big help.

A few years ago my school asked me to help them process immigration documents for a group going to the UK. "Get an attorney to help with this," I said. "Why? No one else does," he said. Of course, the entire batch was rejected.

[naturegirl321]

Yep, I could lose it. BUt I could get another one. It's cheaper to send it than me to go there in person, pay for a flight, and miss work here.

[JamesD]

Years ago I was traveling in Belgium when my paperwork was being done. I told the school this and they said the invitation letter had to say Belgium since that is where I would get the visa. So as far as my experience (many moons ago), yes, you have to apply for the visa in the country noted on the letter. If they can issue a letter that says Peru you could do it there. Your nationality doesn't matter, the letter has to go to a consulate/embassy in a specific country.

Good news is you should be able to do it by DHL like you've done before. Figure there are lots of people living in areas that make a trip to the consulate difficult so visa services do it for them. When doing it in person they don't care who turns in the paperwork as long as everything matches up (name/passport number/country of issue on the invitation letter).

[naturegirl321]

I know about nationality, though I have both. I think that the shcool just got confused. Or maybe didn't thinkt hat the CHinese embassy her ein LIma woudl get me the visa.

Can someone help with the info?

There's a date. Aug 15th (Is that the earliest entry date?)
It says 3 months. (Is that a visa good for 3 months?)
It says 1 (one entry?)
it says 360 dates (max time in CHina?)

The last part confuses me. So I have a three month visa, but I?ll be staying for 360 days, shouldn't that raise flags?

Also, my reaons for entry, should I put employment? I'm pretty sure it says my name, nationality and then there are two characters, which I think say employment. Or should I say business?

[wangdaning]

It should say 000 for the days, as the stay in country depends on getting the RP. I don't think this should be an issue though.

[eddy-cool]

If it says 'U.S. of A.' then it means that, and no other country. The Chinese in Lima will NOT issue you with a work visa, full stop.

I guess that the Chinese have wisened up on forged IDs of late among laowais. They seem to want you to apply in the country that granted you its passport. Perhaps they don't trust laowais residing in developing countries. In any event, it seems to be a logical directive. Remember, many a Chinese person lives abroad under a false or a new name, and foreign ID cards or passports may bear a fake name while you hide your true identity.

[M3tt]

[suanlatudousi]

Good summary of answers there M3tt. It seems too many people think that just because the process is inconvenient for them that they can just have it changed for them at will.

[Hansen]

Nature Girl, Your employer should be sending you documents in Chinese and English. One reason for that would be so that you don't have to try to understand the document by asking people online, who can't see the document, what it means.

It is critically important that you understand the nature and meaning of the document. If you mess this up, you could be denied entry to China.

Normally, a "Z" visa gets you into China. You then get a residence permit which permits you to stay in China. My recollection is that the visa is only good for 30 days. So you must get here and to your school in a timely manner, which allows for them to start processing your residence permit. If you overstay your visa and have not started processing your RP, there is a hefty fine awaiting you. I'm basing these remarks on experiences a couple of years back. Others may have more relevant information.

It appears that you like doing things the hard way. That's OK. Be aware that the officials here will make what is already difficult much harder, if they can. You should have copies of all your documents in English.

[kev7161]

There is a sticky about visas and residence permits with a lot of good information as well as a lot of confusing stuff as well. If I'm reading your post right, your invitation letter should get you a Z visa ( good for up to 90 days?) with one entry allowed on it. You should be entering around August 15th. Once you arrive, the school will change that Z visa into a Residence Permit affixed to another passport page, which will look much like a Z visa but it allows you to come and go freely for the full year that it is in effect.

This is pretty much repeating what a couple others have said but I think everything is above board.

[evaforsure]

before sending anything to the consulate.. make sure they do not require the request to be hand carried...

[naturegirl321]

First off, thanks to everyone for the info. It helps a lot.