Job Discussion Forums

[anjinholuis]

SORRY GUYS AND GIRLS: FELLOW TEACHERS

This is probably a question that has been answered time and time again!

DO I NEED A RETURN FLIGHT TO ENTER CHINA ON A Z BUSINESS VISA: FOREIGN EXPERT???

I guess I'm just refreshing the topic. I hold a European Passport. Could I enter China with a 'one way'?

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWERS CHEERS.

[jamesmollo]

You need a return ticket for a tourist visa. Z-visa is not a business visa, that's an F-visa. Foreign expert's certificate you get when you get into China.

[ChairmanMeow]

How do they check that you have a return ticket?

[thefuzz]

I flew in on tourist "L" visas, business "F" visas and residence/work "Z" permits/visas on one-way tickets and never got hassled by the cops at the airport. If you look decent and dress in clean clothes, don't smell of liquor or look stoned you'll be fine.

As for the experts certificate...you'll get one here, mate, so if ya got one abroad it's fake...don't flash it to the customs guys.

[jamesmollo]

How do they check that you have a return ticket?(quote)

from your itinary/flight schedule that is required for a tourist visa. It makes sense they wouldn't want a tourist in their country with no way to get home doesn't it?

[anjinholuis]

GREAT RESPONSES FROM EVERYBODY

This is what I got from the employer............... before travelling.......

1. Apply the Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China and visa notification form. (I am working on that) (Due to the National Holiday, it takes around 2 weeks)

2. Send the Permit and notification (original) to you. (2-3 days)

3. You apply the visa with the Permit and Notification.

4. By the way, I attached PHYSICAL EXAMINATION RECORD FOR FOREIGNER, could you please fill it and send me a copy?

DOES THIS SOUND RIGHT TO YOU GUYS AND GIRLS???

I gather this is for a Z Visa 'THEFUZZ'...............?

GUESS 'ONE WAY TICKETS' ARE OK.

STAY IN TOUCH

[Molson]

On a Z visa, what is the problem? It is a work visa, they know you will go home after you are done your contract. I came in on a 1 one ticket.

My wife came in on an L visa one way. She didn't get hassled either.

It could also be where you come in too, as it seems the world over if you get the wrong immigration official, all of the above doesn't matter.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

chinese immigration authorities arent the ones you need to worry about in a one way/return ticket situation. they couldnt care less what kind of ticket you have after you arrive as long as you have a visa in your passport.

its the airline check-in desk at the point of departure that will be the problem. if you're denied entry to china for any reason, then that airline can be held responsible for flying you back.

but if you have a valid visa in your passport then there's no reason for the airline check-in people to deny you boarding, and once that happens, you're home free.

for the record, i was denied boarding twice in my life during travels because i was traveling on a one way ticket (with no proof of onward travel out). i was flying to countries for which i needed no visa, but that still wasnt proof i wouldn't be denied entry upon arrival. i either had to get a visa or book another ticket. booking a refundable ticket is the easiest way around the problem when it happens (assuming you have enough cash/credit to do so).

if you're ever in doubt about whether or not you'll be allowed to board the plane and depart to the country you plan on going to, call the airline beforehand. they'll explain their policy to you (because they dont all follow the same rules).

[thessy]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[nobleignoramus]

Maybe my experience can help put things into a diffrerent perspective.

This past summer I flew from overseas to China for the first time in many years. We flew on roundtrip tickets issued in China.

When we boarded the plane in Europe I was facing a serious problem with my return ticket.

I was taken aside and my case was being studied by three veteran ground staffers.

I was finally allowed to board after several guidelines had been studied and interpreted. The gist of them was as follows:

- If you fly direct to the Chinese Mainland, you can do so on
a one-way ticket.
- But if you go to China via HONG KONG, it gets murky and complex.
Essentially, Hong Kong requires foreign visitors to have two-way tickets.
Two-way tickets, or onward transportation.

In my case, the fact that I had relevant Mainland documentation showing that I was legally going to the Mainland clinched the "deal". Had I not had a Mainland RP or visa they would have had to prevent me from boarding that plane.

[jamesmollo]

What I was referring to 'Cleric' was, as you pointed out, the issue with the airline. Not the visa. Thanks for clearing that up. You've entered CHina over a hundred times? the airlines must love you!

[thefuzz]

[LarssonCrew]

The Terminal 5 at Heathrow seems to be almost 'staffless' for BA, you print off your boarding card online and then just hand in baggage which you've pre printed for. Does this mean you could get around the whole 'staff wont let you check in' if you've checked yourself in online?