Job Discussion Forums

hopscotch · Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 22

Alert: US Medical tests for the health exam exceed $800 US! Has anyone else had this same charge? I will be going to a university to teach. I am old hat and have done this in both Japan and Korea. The new university asked for the medical exam even though I am there for a single semester. Of course, the officials said as long as a doctor signs the paper, I don't have to have the exams. Of course my US doctor has had my form for 5-days and still no response on what he plans to do about it. I had a shouting match with his staff today, trying to get the papers through. If I go to a US hospital the HIV test alone is $350 making the total costs for all tests and for the doctor's fees to be more than $800. I live 90-minutes from Canada and of course will go there tomorrow to get all my tests and to see a Canadian doctor. But if there is a less painful and less costly way then would you please tell me how you got the exam passed? Can I fly to Taiwan and get the exam and the VISA?

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

Shop around, you can get the exams for a lot less. I'm in the same boat and I just spent less than $200 although without an xray. I went to a chain clinic. Ask for the cheapest physical and explain you need to have the form filled. My blood test for hiv and syphilis, as per the form, was less than 75 total if I recall correctly.

Go as cheap as you can because you will probably have to do at least some of the same tests in China when you arrive. Good luck.

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

You might want to try speaking with your local Chinese Embassy. Sometimes the Embassy will issue the Z visa on a provisional basis that the medical be completed within thirty days of arrival.

You have to do it again when you get inside China. No matter what. So, sometimes the Embassy will let it slide.

If you are using an agent. Talk to them and see what they can do to help. Those test can run upwards of $1500 and insurance will not cover the expense. The other poster is right to also try a walk in clinic. Give them a big smile and say, 'pleeeassee.'

Good Luck

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

I went on Google, typed in my county and searched for cheap clinics that offer physical. I ended up going to a place that does physicals mainly for work related stuff but they do offer physicals to anybody. I ended up paying $185 for blood work, EKG, x-ray, etc. Keep in mind it does take a few days to process the blood work so you will have to go back to pick up the stuff later on in the week.

thessy · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 111 Location: Xi'an

The amount of bad information on this topic is overwhelming.

Depending on which embassy you use, you DO NOT need ANY sort of physical examination in the USA prior to being issued a Z-visa. I'll go so far as to say getting a physical in the US (unless for personal health reasons) can in sometimes be a total waste of money because many people who get their exam done back home have to get it re-done in China anyway!

This is the website for the visa service I have used for all of my Chinese visas:

http://www.mychinavisa.com/work.html

According to that information, only the embassy in SF requires a medical exam before issuing a Z-Visa. I can tell you first hand the embassy in Houston does not require a medical exam.

Many (most?) legitimate schools will have someone accompany you to a hospital or clinic in China to have your medical exam done after arrival. The school also typically pays for that.

If your school is telling you that you have to get a medical exam in the USA, they're wrong. They're lying, ignorant about the subject, shady, and/or cheapskates trying to save a few kuai at your expense.

I suggest you contact the school and call them out on this. Explain that there might be some misunderstanding but as an American you don't need a medical exam before being issued a Z-visa - you only need the medical exam after you arrive in China so you can be issued a Residence Permit (which the school is responsible for obtaining for you). Asking you to spend $800 on a medical exam so they can save 150-200RMB ($20-30) for something that is their responsibility is absurd.

Jayray · Joined: 28 Feb 2009 Posts: 373 Location: Back East

I wouldn't bother with the stateside exam unless I were refused a visa by the Chinese consulate for not submitting one. I've had a stateside exam done three times and each time, it wasn't even recognized in China.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

How are you spending $250 on an HIV test?? I got mine at Planned Parenthood for 55 dollars, and that was after paying 10$ extra for the one where you get instant results. Personally I would never go to the place that asked for $250 again for any reason. There's a lot of places that like to rip you off for healthcare.