Job Discussion Forums

[Leila51360]

Hello, can anyone tell me if I can go to the embassy in Washington DC.
How do they indentify my "region" .. Will I have to present proof
I am from Iowa, currently in Pennsylvania and closest to DC. Just returned from Costa Rica so I do not currently have a "permanent' resident.
the letter of invitation will have an Iowa address (if it is on there). My Drivers liscence is from PA.
I am in need of expedited service and really, starting to wonder if I am going to have enough money to get to China. Due to the uncertainty of the letter of invitation over the chinese holiday... my reservations have still not been made... super big bucks for the 'less than 7 day notice' on my flight reservation...
A visa service will charge me $100 plus the shipping fees for overnight deliveries plus the expedited service fee and Visa fee.
Between the physical, Visa and Flight this is becoming very expensive... for a job... I am not used to paying,,, I usually get paid! really wonder about my sanity here.
The physical alone had EKG, xray, blood tests and the Dr. Visit... The school would like me to be there the 21st.. I will recieve the invitation letter monday (according to UPS tracking)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Ready to scrap this whole idea.

[dean_a_jones]

I cannot help you in terms of the US and embassy issues--not sure if the invitation letter lists the state or country in terms of where you will apply.

I will say this though--I don't know how serious your claims of 'not enough money to get to China' are, but do keep in mind that after arriving, you will probably be waiting 4-6 weeks for your first payment, so will also need money on which to survive after arriving. This may also include money for your residency permit, in-China medical, internet fee, sim card for phone etc. etc. etc. Now you may not have to pay for some of these things, the school might, but that depends on your contract. I would advise anyone coming to have 5-10,000 RMB for use in their first month for these and food, drink and any other daily needs. Depending on where you are going, you may need more or less (the big cities more, smaller cities less). In terms of everyday life, you can of course survive on a whole lot less (I usually spend 1,500/month) but set-up costs will raise this, as will any of the fees mentioned above.

That being said, once you get here and settle in, with the right job and attitude, China can be a very rewarding experience.

[Leila51360]

Well that is really my point...... I know I need living expenses there.... If I keep spending money here I may not eat there... Many of these expenses are being picked up by the school but they said I would need basic food until the first pay period....
I do not wish to go hungry.
I'm not used to putting out 1000's before I even get to the job. I really wish they would have outlined all this before offering the job. I understood the flight, didn't expect the physical to be so involved.
This is just getting rediculous.
My attitude.. well, It's cash out of pocket,,, and costs are continueing to mount. I am not a trust fund kid.. I work for my money.
What kind of attitude should I have?

[dean_a_jones]

On the bright side, food in China can be seriously cheap. Noodles, soups, dumplings, basically all street food around, runs from 3-10RMB. Small, family run restaurant meals can be had for 10-20RMB per person, and there are usually 'one-plate' dishes (a dish on rice) which are usually around 6-10RMB). Also, if at a university, your canteen should be a cheap option. Cooking at home is also not expensive. If you want to eat at western style restaurants or fast food outlets, it can get expensive (McDonalds, for example, is about the same price as in a western country, a western place may be 40RMB plus). You won't starve in China, you just have to eat at the right places if on a budget. Fellow teachers at the school should be able to help you with this at first, as it is true that the cheaper places do require a basic knowledge of Chinese (at least to read a menu or say the name of a dish), though you can always point at what anyone else is having.

As I said before, though, keep in mind the 'hidden' expenses that may come up on arrival. Many (most?) have to do an additional medical in country upon arrival (around 300RMB when I did it), some have to pay for their residency permit (400RMB I think) and things like internet may need to be paid for up front (around 900RMB/year) and a sim card (50RMB). These little costs can add up if you are expected to foot them (and if your contract does not say they will pay it, assume you will).

Also keep in mind that any refunds you should be getting upon arrival (i.e. airfare) might not come until the pay period after you submit them (again, 4-6 weeks). This is not always the case, but I would expect it.

Inevitably, there are set up costs to moving abroad and establishing yourself. Thankfully, you have an apartment (although you might need to buy a few bits and pieces for it, as well as some cleaning products to get it up to standard), so a major headache is sorted for you. The amount I suggested you arrive with covers these costs, as well as a bailout if everything goes seriously wrong on arrival. Some of it is therefore for peace of mind, rather than needed expense. Aside from those costs specifically listed above, you really don't need much to survive for a month in China when it comes to things like food, assuming you are open to eating like a local.

If you would say where you are heading to, it might be helpful for any other responses (also if it is a uni, private language school, primary etc). If you are not sure about your contract and what the school will pay for upon arrival, feel free to PM me and I can have a look.

[Leila51360]

My contract is very clear, once I arrive they have me in an apt. and pay all the expenses excluding food.. I understand the set up costs and what I will need, I have been very specific about these issues with the school.
What they didn't tell me was the costs that I would encure here.

What I need to know is how the Consulate establishes Residency in the US.

If I can save 150 on this Visa I would like to do that by going to the DC consulate instead of the Chicago or NY consulate!
I can pay for expedited service... but the visa service and mailing is almost 150 more.. Why should I pay this when there is an Embassy 50 mls from me!

[Leila51360]

My contract is very clear, once I arrive they have me in an apt. and pay all the expenses excluding food.. I understand the set up costs and what I will need, I have been very specific about these issues with the school.
What they didn't tell me was the costs that I would encure here.

What I need to know is how the Consulate establishes Residency in the US.

If I can save 150 on this Visa I would like to do that by going to the DC consulate instead of the Chicago or NY consulate!
I can pay for expedited service... but the visa service and mailing is almost 150 more.. Why should I pay this when there is an Embassy 50 mls from me!

[Leila51360]

My contract is very clear, once I arrive they have me in an apt. and pay all the expenses excluding food.. I understand the set up costs and what I will need, I have been very specific about these issues with the school.
What they didn't tell me was the costs that I would encure here.

What I need to know is how the Consulate establishes Residency in the US.

If I can save 150 on this Visa I would like to do that by going to the DC consulate instead of the Chicago or NY consulate!
I can pay for expedited service... but the visa service and mailing is almost 150 more.. Why should I pay this when there is an Embassy 50 mls from me!

[Non Sequitur]

Is the 3-peat for extra emphasis?
Unlikely you'll see any airfare until end of contract.
Better to ask for an advance on salary, which is not unheard of in the public system at least.
Can't comment on the visa part but do get it right. Late arriving teachers are not unheard of. A week is only one lesson per class not one week of lessons for one class.
Offer to do make ups on the weekend if they moan.
Incorrect documentation from the consulate could bite you on the bum later.

[AnomanderRake]

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[johntpartee]

I will address the "what kind of attitude" question. I almost sent this as a PM, but it warrants public display. It's really not a good idea to show up here broke. ANYTHING can happen at anytime. A means of escape is a necessity (meaning MONEY). Yes, food is very cheap here, but traveling in and out of the country can cost a fortune, even without the documentation costs.

If the employer knows you're low on money, you may be subjected to the "got this person by the....."; that's not just China, you see it everywhere.

On the up side, employers are usually amenable to an advance on wages.

[Leila51360]

Ok the idea is to not show up broke... that's why I'm trying to be conservative with my cash here.... and the emergencies... well that's why I haven't cut up my credit cards, I have enough for a ticket home and that is something I won't use for anything...

I guess I should clarify broke.... enough to survive, even in the event of an emergency but,,, not enough to waste, if I can save some!

[dog backwards]

The Chinese consulates cares about your citizenship. Residency is a domestic issue and of no concern to the Chinese.

Which Chinese Consulate should you send your paperwork to? Which is the nearest to you?

You have a lot of questions that could have been answered had you done prior research (researching consulate websites for one, using the search engine and the stickies on this board, etc.).

The timing of your questions lead me to believe that you really don't have a plan except to get to China ASAP.

[Leila51360]

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

if your question is:

which chinese consulate in the US (based on where i live in the US) should/can i visit to get the visa, then the answer is here:

Map

scroll down to the bottom. took me 15 seconds to find this.