Job Discussion Forums

[SandyG19]

I live in the USA - was told by a recruiter that I needed a full medical exam (with x=rays and blood tests) before coming over - I thought it was done after I arrive - in China? Because here in the USA that would cost a ton of money - probably over a $1000 - because insurance just will not cover all of that sort of thing - unless your in an emergency situation (injuried or ill).

Is this just this recruiters rule? Because most China jobs only pay 5000 to 7000 rmb - so how would it be worthwhile to pay for this type of exam?

Also some recruiters want an FBI CBC - that costs over $100 just for the fingerprinting in my geographic area - and it takes 15 to 18 weeks to get it back! My state CBC costs $10 and takes about a week.

[roadwalker]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

It's ashame to have to spend so much money on tests that can be done here for a few hundred RMB (30-40 dollars)

[caleypatrick]

Listen, this is the only effective way to handle your medical form/examination.

Copy the form from the Chinese Government Site. Fill the form out yourself. Make several color passport photos. Sign the form yourself on behalf of some fictitious doctor. Send the document to your prospective employer. That's what I did on two occasions. Worked fine. It's all crap because your employer will take you to a government medical centre when you arrive for the same and more tests. They don't use your medical information so don't waste time on the form.

[thessy]

As far as I know (and supported by: http://www.mychinavisa.com/work.html ) only the San Francisco Consulate requires a medical exam prior to issuing a Z-Visa. I can say firsthand that I have never had a medical exam (or filled out a form pretending that I did) prior to being issued a Z-visa, however I've also never used the SF Consulate. Chicago and Houston do NOT require a medical exam prior to issuing a visa.

You do need to get the same medical exam they are requesting done after arrival here (unless they have 'connections' and are going to try to use your exam from the US to process your residence permit so they don't have to pay for you to have an exam done here...). My advice is to find a recruiter or school that isn't making such demands. In my initial job search, the only recruiters and schools requesting this were folks I later found to be very sketchy.

[Jayray]

Before I returned to China, I was asked to provide a criminal history report by one prospective employer. I called my local FBI office and was told that the FBI wouldn't issue a report to just anyone. I was told that the organization who wanted such a report had to request it, not I. In addition, it would be issued only to domestic agencies who had a legitimate need for such a report. I ended up submitting a letter from my local police station attesting to the fact that I had no criminal history whatsoever. I assume that this is everyone else's experience.

Anyone have a different experience?

I took a position elsewhere and never responded to the school's further requests.

AFAIK only Mongolia has this requirement. Enlighten me if i am wrong.

[Doctor T]

I had my medical done last week because the school requested it. Apparently I'm entering the game during a period of stiffening visa requirements. In New Zealand at the moment, and it cost me about $230, if you convert it into US dollars.

I also wasn't prepared for how involved the medical is. I thought you just filled out a form declaring yourself to be healthy. I was unhappy about forking out money too, because I hear when you get to China you have to do the tests all over again.

What's involved?
Blood test for all the ailments on the form, chest x-ray, and ECG measuring heart rate, doctor fills out the form saying everything is normal (if it is) and it's done. I can't imagine the medical costing you $1,000.