Job Discussion Forums

clayrview · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 62

Just from your own experience (I'm a Canadian looking to work in China)
How long from when you were offered a job, to when you arrived on Chinese soil? How long does this whole visa process take?

Thanks!

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

It depends. For me, it took the last 6 weeks.

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271

Depends on the city where the application is submitted. It can take only four weeks in Shanghai all the way to an astonishing seven or eight weeks in Shenzhen (a city notorious for its strict visa laws). Best would be if you asked the school directly...they should give you a clear answer.

happigur1 · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 228 Location: USA

I signed my contract at Henan on August 7th. They finally got the visa permit and work permit and it's on its' way to me right now via DHL (Sept. 3). On my end, it will take another few days to apply for the Z-visa...

IT2006 · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:36 am Post subject:

happigur1 · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 228 Location: USA

happigur1 · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 228 Location: USA

IT2006: I think I might be confusing you by throwing around the words "visa permit" and "visa". I use the words "visa permit" and "work permit" because this is what the FAO keeps using in our email exchange. Look below. What I am referring to is #6 and #7. Hope this clears it up.

From the Chinese Consulate in US website:
Employment Visa (Z Visa) is issued to an alien who comes to China for a post or employment, and his/her accompanying family members.

I.Please submit the following documents with your application:
1. Passport: Your valid passportmust have at least six (6) months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it.
2. Application form: One completed Visa Application Form (Q1)
3. Photo: one recent photo of 2*2 square inch (black & white or color is acceptable) glued or stapled on the application form.
4.Temporary foreign visitors with a valid US visa or foreign residents with legitimate status in the US, may apply for Chinese visa to the Visa Office of the Chinese Embassy. The visa officer may ask the applicant to provide the original and photocopy of their US Green Card,Work Permit,I-20 Form, valid US Visa or other additional documents and make a decision on whether to issue the visa case by case.
5. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport or the photocopy of the information page of the passport. Applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new US passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old US passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.
6. A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit.
7. An originial and a photocopy of the Work Permit for Aliens issued by the Chinese Labor Ministry or the original of Foreign Expert's License issued by the Chinese Foreign Expert Bureau.
8. A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit or proof of kinship, e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc, is required for the accompanying family members.