Job Discussion Forums

Ramblin' Man · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 105

Hey all,

I'm just wondering how easy/difficult is it to get a Z - Visa outside of ones home country?

If out of your home country is it best/easiest to get a school that is interested you to get the letter of invitation for you and then you can go to Hong Kong and get the z-visa?

What about showing up in China on a tourist visa, getting a job after arriving and then having them assist me in getting the z-visa and then later residence permit/work permit?

Regards

Ramblin' Man

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

You're going to get a LOT of conflicting comments about this, but for me the best way is to come into the country with a tourist visa and contact the potential employers directly. You get to see your accommodations, they get to see you, you get to see them. There are quite a few other threads about this (fairly recently).

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

Horrible "suggestion" !!

As all of the other threads will suggest - it's sometimes impossible to convert an L visa to a Z visa legally.

Contact your potential employer and tell them the country you wish the letter of invitation to state you should get your Z visa. It can be obtained in any country, rather than your native one, as long as it's stated on the form in which you wish to get it.

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

I'm not talking about "converting" an L visa. I'm talking about coming into China with a tourist visa, finding employment and then getting a Z visa. My "suggestion" is primarily that I PERSONALLY would like to meet face to face with potential employers BEFORE I have committed to a contract. Others think differently, I know, but this is just the magic that is me.

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

mk177 · Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:22 am Post subject:

is it usual for schools to pay for everything in getting the work visa, for example travel cost to hong kong, visa costs and accomodation in hk. as the couple of people who i have spoken to have said they had to pay themselves, and the school would not pay.

thanks

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

They SHOULD pay, it's my understanding that many of them don't. I wouldn't work for a place that didn't.

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

As an employer I see no reason the school should pay for a free trip to Hong Kong. There is a reason that the "home country" issue exists for the letter of invitation - so as to get your visa in your home country before arriving in China.

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

I'm basing all of my "beliefs" on the fact that almost all of the job postings I've responded to have taken care of all visa related fees, including travel. The place I'm at now paid for everything, it was a standard contract stipulation.

Niederbom · Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Posts: 66

I know an American can get a Z visa at the Chinese consulate in the UK. At least that's what they said when I called them.

Why not call the Chinese consulates in a neighboring country like Thailand, Korea or the Philippines to see if you can do it there?

It only costs about $250 round trip to fly to Korea from China.

donb2222 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 134

I received a Z visa outside my home country.
Just make sure the school understands exactly where you wish to apply for the visa and does not make the mistake of listing your home country on the invitation letter.

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

ttoriel

ayahyaha · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:03 pm Post subject:

I was living in a country that was not my home country when I applied for my Z visa. I found a service in my home country, FedExed my passport and documents from China, and they took it to the consulate for me. Much the same as a visa service from within China. It ended up being cheaper for me to do that than try to go to Korea, Hong Kong, etc.

There is something to be said for meeting your employer face-to-face, but if you ask all the right questions and check out any potential employer you can make a pretty safe bet even from abroad.