Job Discussion Forums

[bluetortilla]

What's all this about having to apply for visas from your home country? I was required to do this for a uni job in Chongqing (turned it down) and my friend is being asked to do the same thing for a uni job in Guandong.
However, I DID get a uni job in Guangzhou that did not require me to do this.
Both of us are American citizens and residents of Japan, and I'm getting my visa at the consulate here.
Seems things are getting stricter all over Asia.

[dean_a_jones]

This is also being discussed in other threads. Generally speaking (I do not have direct experience) it seems that if you are a resident of another country (i.e. have a legal permit to reside and work there) then it is not a problem to apply from within that country. However, if you are just travelling and want to try to get a visa in another country, it sounds like they are being a bit more strict about where this is possible. What does seem to be happening is that schools seem to be telling people they need to apply from their home country, even if they reside elsewhere legally. I am not sure if this is a change, or if schools are just unsure of the rules and playing it safe.

It still seems that Hong Kong is an option for those who are abroad but don't want to/can't apply in their home countries. I have not heard of anyone with the right paperwork being turned away from HK. If anyone has, do let us know.

Remember wherever you end up making your application, your paperwork needs to state which embassy/country you are applying in.

[bluetortilla]

My school just wrote to me saying that Immigration wants scans of my visa (permanent resident) and my work contract here in Japan. So it seems the resident status theory seems to be the right one.
Chongqing wouldn't budge on the issue, even after I explained the situation to them. They offered to pay my airfare to the States though!

[time to teach]

I was told the same thing when offered a job at a local college this past summer in July, that I'd have to fly home to the USA to get my visa there, with the added stipulation that I'd need to get and submit the FBI crimminal background check (CBC) as part of my visa applicaiton. They also told me going to Hong Kong was not an option. I'm not sure why, but I think it had something to do with my going from a Z to an L to an F, and there are new laws in Guangdong about starting over with a new Z with the police check, but from what I've learned it only applies to Americans. I passed on the gig, as I'd flown home the previous summer, and the job wasn't worth the expense and hassle of flying home for a Z anyway. But I'm not a dual citizen, just have a USA passport.

[bluetortilla]

FBI check? Now I'm really confused.
I wonder why when renewing your visa or changing your status, China wouldn't count as your place of residence if you're already there? Are there any clear new regulations coming into place or will it vary according to employer?
I haven't had any of these hassles- yet. I'll report when I get my paperwork.

[Baozi man]

I'm going to guess that this difficulty is actually an unnecessary one caused by stupid and lazy people preparing your documents. It's a standard, of sorts, among a certain ilk, in banks and PSB offices. Since it's not typical, rather than find out how to do it, it's easier for them to say it can't be done.

After all, why should they actually learn something new which helps a laowai?

I had a guy in a internet cafe who required me to bring in my passport to get internet time. This was years ago. Then, few places required a passport. When I brought the passport to him, he began going through it, looking at the visas, showing his mate behind the counter. I snatched it back. Eventually, I gave him a tongue lashing, told him the other lady never required it and asked why he wanted the passport. He said it wasn't really necessary.

I've had similar experiences in banks, with PSB officers, wherever there is an opportunity to make things difficult, they will so do, with notable exceptions.

Now it may be that there is a requirement to get a visa in your home country; however, since I just got one in HK, I doubt it.

[Murat]

[bluetortilla]

[Baozi man]

I was in China, went to HK, got a "Z" and returned. My tourist visa was changed to a "Z" in HK. There may be a place on the application to specify where the visa is to be obtained. Ask the people to actually read the document, to put some effort into ascertaining what your options might be.

Sorry to say that they would rather send you back to your home country than spend some time figuring out how to avoid making you go there. Some of these people, the ones in responsible positions who have power in your life are mean, stupid, lazy, incompetent and more.

Some are not. They are resourceful, intelligent, capable, and so forth. You might consider consulting a visa service to find out what your options are.