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Yes, Ma'am · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:21 am Post subject: Kids and Medical Exams, etc.

At what age are kids required to get a medical exam for a Z-visa and will they be required to submit to the medical check-up once in China? I've read conflicting information such as kids under 12 do not need medical exams, but then I read that children that are over 2 need a medical exam.

If you have kids, please let me know about your experience with medical exams and life, in general, with kids along for the ride. How do they spend their time? How do you handle schooling?

Thanks

colonel · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Nanyang and Cha-Am

I have two with me aged 6 and 3.

No requirement for a medical - in Henan I add.

The eldest is in her second year at school and her Mandarin, I'm told, is fluent.

The youngest stays at home with her mother - who's Thai.

Currently she has a smattering of three languages, English, Thai and Mandarin.

Sometimes all three languages are heard in a sentence - fascinating.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

Yes, Ma'am · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:54 am Post subject:

Good idea!

Yes, Ma'am · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:03 am Post subject:

Cleric, I've enrolled my kids in a virtual school, but I'm worried about the end of year state standards exams that occur in May. They must be done in person and we will still be in China. Not sure what to do about that.

Are children of FTs allowed to attend China public schools just so they can have interaction with other kids?

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

My school declined to hire a very well qualified teacher on the grounds that bringing kids meant he couldn't DEDICATE himself to the teaching task.
This despite the fact that his wife was coming as well and looking forward to having 12m as a fulltime mum. She was taking a sabbatical from her own career.

hot_water_hillbilly · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 97

A physical exam is required for anyone obtaining a Z-visa/ARP, including family. The technical difference is that those under the age of 12 do not need an HIV or Syphilis test; but still need the physical exam forms.

colonel · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Nanyang and Cha-Am

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

My son has never had to have a medical exam for his visa. We have been in Shanghai for 6 years.

I would guess that the LAW says that there needs to be a medical exam. I have found that sometimes laws are enforced and sometimes they are not. Whether or not a law is enforced probably depends on the person working, the location, and the current leader. As leaders change so do the laws they decide to enforce.

In the past, I did not have to go to the visa office to attend to my visa, the FAO did it. Last year, the FAO said I needed to go. To this day, I am not sure if I had to go because it was the law or that my FAO was just too lazy to do it.

Yes, Ma'am · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:18 pm Post subject:

I talked to a pediatrician today and he said that a chest X-ray, EKG and blood work is not done on children under 12 without just cause, and a visa application is not just cause. He then recommended a wellness exam (eyes, ears, nose and throat), to show that the child has seen a physican recently and is in good health.

I'm going to go on the advice of those who say the exam is not necessary for kids. I certainly don't need the added expense.

Non Sequitur, it wasn't that difficult finding a school which accepts kids since I wasn't looking at uni's in top tier cities. Universities further inland or in the country are more receptive to families, and I'm willing to bet they get more bang for the buck because families can't school hop as fast as singles and they don't call in sick because of a hangover.

teachaus · Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 54

My University certainlly doesn't discourage against teachers with families -and the on campus accommodation is relatively family friendly in terms of space. This year we had a total of 7 children living on our floor of the apartment building from 3 famiiles. One of the families had 4 children from 9 to 1 and had been at the University for 5 years. Their mother is a qualified teacher but homeschooled them very successfully, after trying the local school with the eldest. They have a job for next year at an International School in the South of the Country which id going to include school for the kids - but their time here has not hurt the children.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Thanks Teachaus.
It was the barmiest decision I have heard of in 3 years here.

Yes, Ma'am · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 4:21 am Post subject:

Had a bad day. Crying or Very sad

After a long commute and a long wait in line, I was told at the Chinese Embassy that everyone that applies for a Z visa in 2010 (and in the US, the rules may differ in other countries and previous years) must submit the completed physical exam form including children. The only difference is that children under 12 do not need the ECG/EKG, HIV bloodwork and chest Xray, but they need to be seen by a doctor and a form with an official doctor/hospital stamp is required.

I told the clerk to go ahead and process my visa since I had a completed medical form and I would come back later with the child requirements. She said no because I needed copies of the work permit and school letter to submit with each child's application and if they took my paperwork now I wouldn't be able to complete the child process later, so I left empty handed.

I polled the crowd, used my 50/50, and tried to consult an expert at the consulate, and I still got it wrong. I'm very frustrated, but I hope my experience helps the next person in line who has kids.

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

Adults shouldn't be geting alot of x - rays for no reason either. It is expensive enough for one person to get the medical - I can't imagine the cost for several family members. Do the Chinese know how much Americans ( or some other countries as well) spend on these exams? In my area the Hiv test was 100 dollars, syphilis test 100, x ray - over 200, ecg - 250, and then more for the exam - basically a whole months pay or more! That is USA funds by the way and I called around to find prices - but it was expensive in my geographic area - no free or reduced price clinics here.

Miasaurus · Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 24

I feel like there is a lot of vague misinformation floating around about the medical check in the USA. I will be very clear about my experience.

I live in Orange County, CA. The COL here is very high, relative to the rest of the nation. I had the general physical, chest x-ray, blood tests, and ECG done at Concentra Urgent Care (a private clinic, not free or reduced price) for $230 altogether, before submitting it to my insurance. There are similar facilities almost everywhere. I've so far heard of a friend in FL and one in OH getting the same sort of deal.

The high numbers floating around should be disregarded if they are unsubstantiated by details. I would hate for someone to be scared off from teaching in China because they think the medical exam will cost too much.