Job Discussion Forums

[darkesaint]

Howdy folks.

I figured I would post here to see what anyone had to say on my current situation...

About a month ago I interviewed and was given a job offer at a school in Beijing. I am currently working in Korea, and told them during the interview I was hoping to jump from here to there rather than go home since I have bills to pay and don't really want to go more than a month without work. The recruiter seemed okay with that situation and from there I started to gather all the documents they requested.

Then came the woe that is the Z-Visa. As I started to get the paperwork ready, I found out there was going to be an issue with my ARC. I had read on other places and had it confirmed from the consulate that I would need 6 months on my ARC if I were to apply from within Korea. Yet my ARC expires at the end of January and would only give me 4-5 months left.

When I asked about any exceptions, the consulate said a Certificate of Employment could be used. However, just the other day I checked with them again and it turns out I can only use the CoE if I have at least 3 months left.

The main question I really have is about something the school's recruiter told me. She said that it was best for her to submit the application for the work permit at the end of this month, since the visa would only be good for a short time for me to enter the country. Yet, the Chinese Consulate requires 3-6 months on your ARC to apply from within Korea.

So I would need a large amount of time left on my ARC that I'm going to have to dispose of anyways since I have to be in China within a short window of time? I'm having a hard time understanding the inconsistency. Is this just a bunch of red tape mumbo jumbo, or is someone sending me the wrong message?

I don't really mind going home first, but I would have liked to get this figured out beforehand. Any idea how long the visa process takes in the States? I'll be going home December 26th, and my school was thinking about getting me there by January 5th. Is this going to be greatly affected if I have to go back to the States first?

Ok... that was a lot. Apologies and many thanks in advance for anyone who reads all of this and still has any advice for me.

Best Regards

[choudoufu]

this was covered in a recent thread......


http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=91367&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Cairnsman]

1. Chinese visas have a first-use expiration period of 3 months. From the day a Chinese visa is issued to you, you have 3 months to enter the country.

2. Get your Z visa in Hong Kong. I got my (latest) Z visa in Hong Kong in August this year and did so because I was in Thailand when I accepted my current job. The documents arranged by your new employer (which will be mailed to you) must specify Hong Kong as the location of visa application and you must have an approved medical exam report.

[darkesaint]

@choudoufu: Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

@Cairnsman: Where should I get the medical exam done at? I wonder if the cost would more or less be the same if I had to go home. Any thoughts?

[Cairnsman]

[naturegirl321]