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asia0708
Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 32
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:38 am Post subject: Z visa in HongKong - cheap and simple ? |
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This time I plan to get correct documents when I come to China.
I want to pay for my own Z visa etc....NOT the school.
I recently met a guy in Hong Kong (US citizen) who was about to work 1 year in China. He was waiting a few days to pick up his Zvisa ----from an agency i think, that was recommended by the school.
He said it cost somewhere around 120 usd i think - not the ridiculous figures quoted by agents in China.
(i assume he had employers letter etc)
I would like to know............................
Is that all you need? How much does the residency permit part cost (remember ....i want to pay....not the school)
(Please only answer if you have done this process recently - all info on other posts seems way out of date) |
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Teatime of Soul
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:13 am Post subject: |
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You do understand that you Z Visa can only be obtained via your employer, correct?
And your Z visa is only good for 30 days, long enough for your employer to have you issued a FEC and FRP which links your employment to them.
I'm sure any school would welcome you shouldering the cost.
But if you are trying to obtain a Z Visa thinking it grants you independence from an employer, that would be mistaken.
Best of luck. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric

Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: Z visa in HongKong - cheap and simple ? |
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asia0708 wrote: |
This time I plan to get correct documents when I come to China.
I want to pay for my own Z visa etc....NOT the school.
I recently met a guy in Hong Kong (US citizen) who was about to work 1 year in China. He was waiting a few days to pick up his Zvisa ----from an agency i think, that was recommended by the school. |
i've dealt with a few agents in hong kong in the past for L and F visas, and those agents told me they couldn't get Z visas for those wanting to work in china. I think the only place that can issue the Z visa in Hong Kong is the China Visa Office in Wan Chai, and the applicant needs to show up and do it themselves. if i'm mistaken, then someone can correct me. |
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Chris_Crossley

Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1797 Location: Still in the centre of Furnace City, PRC, after eight years!!!
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject: It works both ways |
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Teatime of Soul wrote: |
You do understand that you Z Visa can only be obtained via your employer, correct?
And your Z visa is only good for 30 days, long enough for your employer to have you issued a FEC and FRP which links your employment to them.
I'm sure any school would welcome you shouldering the cost.
But if you are trying to obtain a Z Visa thinking it grants you independence from an employer, that would be mistaken.
Best of luck. |
This assessment of the situation is quite correct. You are effectively tied to your potential/future employer because the issuance of a Z visa implies that your entry into China is being sponsored by him/her.
Whilst you may be required to pay for your Z visa outside of your own country (in the UK, for example, you can go to a visa centre located at Morley House in Holborn Viaduct in central London, as matters are no longer dealt with at the PRC embassy's consular section), the prime condition of entry into the PRC is that you go to your employer.
If you fail to turn up after entry or else quit at whatever time after you start, the employer is legally entitled to contact the appropriate authorities in order to have your Z visa or foreign expert certificate (FEC) revoked for violating those terms and conditions under which you entered the country in the first place, notwithstanding any non-reimbursement of the cost incurred to you in getting the visa when you were still outside the mainland PRC.
You will therefore have a foreigner employee record with the PRC government's bureau of labour and, should your name come up as being somebody who quit your job and thus had your working permit revoked, difficulties could therefore arise in theory if you were to attempt to work for another employer once checks are made, even if you were to travel from one province to another.
You might even end up having your applications rejected by those institutions determined to remain on the straight and narrow, because they would probably judge you as being untrustworthy and someone who only wants to stay at some particular place of work as long as it suits you, otherwise it's bye-bye-I'll-go-someplace-else, thanks.
The labour or employment authorities back home would, if you think about it logically, not tolerate being messed about with if some immigrant started doing this, so it works both ways. |
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roadwalker

Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:22 pm Post subject: Re: Z visa in HongKong - cheap and simple ? |
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asia0708 wrote: |
{...}
I recently met a guy in Hong Kong (US citizen) who was about to work 1 year in China. He was waiting a few days to pick up his Zvisa ----from an agency i think, that was recommended by the school.
He said it cost somewhere around 120 usd i think - not the ridiculous figures quoted by agents in China.
(i assume he had employers letter etc) {...}
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ALL WORK VISAS IN CHINA ARE SPONSORED. There is no such thing as a work visa for an independent contractor. Your ability to work in China is dependent on your status with the sponsoring school or business.
Like they said above, whether or not you pay for the z-visa or the school does, doesn't change the fact that you are being allowed entry to work for the sponsoring school. The visa will have a duration code of 000 but you will be told that you have 30 days to secure a residence permit or exit China. Actually the school has 30 days to accomplish this. So you need to arrive at the school promptly, and be prepared to get a physical exam in the first week or two and then give up your passport to the FAO of the school who will put it with the results of the medical check, a local Chinese police report and an application for the residence permit.
I'm sure the school will be happy to have you pay for the Residence Permit, but as was stated, it won't buy you any independence. The happy FAO may be able to pocket the cash and pay out of the school budget.
The cost of the z-visa is the same as any visa, such as a visitor, student or business visa. The price depends on your passport. The current price of a visa to the US is $130, and China charges US citizens the same price. So in Hong Kong that should be just over $1000HK. If you want it faster than a few days (assuming you are allowed to apply in HK) you will be charged more for express service. If you are not from the US, it may be cheaper or much cheaper for a visa.
The only thing that has changed in recent years is the extent to which it is possible to obtain visas in HK. That visa office got stricter in the build up to the Olympics. You should check with the school before just showing up in HK. |
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