Job Discussion Forums

[eihpos]

Hi,

I posted a similar message in less detail on another thread, so apologies for repeating a bit. I am getting very concerned about my z visa application.

The application was submitted to the Foreign Expert Bureau by my employer 2 weeks ago. Not too long, but I have to leave around the 13th of February so it's getting tight, considering the time it will take for them to DHL the documents to me, and for me to apply at the embassy. They have said they will check it this week but I am currently freaking out a bit.

If there were any problems, would the FEB they have advised by now? I am wondering if my degree is an issue. I used my primary degree (not my highest) as I had to get it authenticated at my local embassy and couldn't do this with my foreign MA.

I hope I'm getting unnecessarily worried about this!

Thanks!

[happeningthang]

With a month to go before flying - you have plenty of time still to receive your documents and make your visa application.

A big part of the time the process takes is in how long the Foreign Expert's Office takes to issue their letter of invitation/ qualification.

But 2 weeks plus the remaining 3-4 weeks you have left is more than enough time for them to do that and still get everything else and send it to you.

I wouldn't worry - I've seen it cut much closer than this.

By the way - can I ask - when you got your degree authenticated - did the consulate stamp your original diploma or was a copy used?

[eihpos]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply - I hope so!

In answer to your question, It was an original. This was because the Department of Foreign Affairs were required to stamp it before the Chinese Embassy would, and the DFA would only accept an original.

Perhaps contact the embassy in your country to make sure?

[happeningthang]

Just asking - it's a new rule and people I'm trying to hire are coming back to me saying their consulate won't authenticate copies.

So - do I have this right - your original degree now has stamps from Foreign Affairs, a Notary Public and the Chinese consulate on it?

I assume you're Australian. What state?

[eihpos]

My original degree now has stamps from my uni registrar (it was already on it anyway), Foreign affairs, and finally the consulate.

The foreign stamped my original but I've looked it up again and it does say they will authenticate photocopies if they are at first certified by a notary. It is nuclear from the online info if the embassy would accept copies, but I reckon they would have if it had foreign affairs stamp on it. Having to do all this was new to me, it's not my first time working in China and it was much easier before! It's obviously a bit of a pain for you on the other end side. I'm not Australian - Irish, but it might be similar. Perhaps the new hires could ask the embassy if they will accept copies first authenticated by Foreign affairs.

[Non Sequitur]

Point of interest? Have you booked your flight?

[happeningthang]

[SH_Panda]

and what the hell are you supposed to do if your original certificate was lost in a fire or something?

that's so ridiculous. what they really should do is what Korea does... just ask for transcripts along with the certificate, and get the transcripts authenticated. I doubt many people would go to the huge effort it would take to fake that.

[currentaffairs]

I would never get my original anything stamped.. Anyway, the way the notary system works is to certify a true copy of the original document. Notaries never stamp the originals although they need to see the original document.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

eihpos,

Aren't you required to have the Chinese Consulate authenticate your degree as well? Check the requirements. If you are required to have the Chinese consulate authenticate your degrees, you can have it done when you apply for your visa.

If you haven't had a required home medical check, get that done.

Relax. Nobody in China is in a hurry to see you at this point. You have the rest of the month of January plus most of February for all of the pieces to fall into place. If you are late in arriving, no one will be upset.

Really.

[adventious]