Job Discussion Forums

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Hi,

I need to apply for a new z visa and have been told that regulations have changed. Apparently your certificates must be authenticated my the Chinese embassy in the country they were issued in. This is a problem for me as the country my degree was issued in isn't where I am actually from.

Will the Chinese embassy in my country (Ireland) authenticate a document from the UK? It's proving difficult to contact them so I was just wondering if anyone knows anything!

Thanks!

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

Yes, things did change this year and have gotten much more strict. It seems to vary slightly by province. In our province we can accept digital copies initially but later we need the original or authenticated document.

I am not actually sure the Chinese Embassy in any country offer an authentication service. Certainly in UK and Ireland all visa services are outsourced anyway.

Firstly I would try to ask your intended employer if they will accept a scanned copy and the original at the point where they apply for your FEC. It could be that they are just covering themselves at an early stage in the process as unfortunately a lot of people do try and slip through the net. I discussed this in another thread in some detail so won't repeat it here.

Failing that you can use this service, but it isn't cheap.

http://www.apostilleservice.org.uk/

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Thanks for your reply! My employer seems to believe the Chinese embassy can authenticate it, but only in the country the degree was issued. I don't see why I can't use an apostle service or notary. This is so frustrating! It seems silly to not be able to get a new visa over a little stamp on my degree!

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

Sadly a lot of employers have never traveled and are not familiar with the workings of other countries. I have encountered this kind of non flexible attitude quite frequently. I wouldn't go so far as to say call their bluff but if you politely explain the situation starting with the degree being issued in another country, then the fact that the Chinese Embassy do not offer authentication services. If they disbelieve it then invite them to call the Chinese Embassy in Ireland and London if necessary at their expense to clarify the situation and you might find the rule has suddenly 'changed' or is no longer applicable in your case. Of course if they do go as far to do that then they would be able to offer you a way to deal with the problem.

What I can say for certain is now the online application system that is being used requires copies of everything to be uploaded. We are then required present the originals after the applicant has arrived in China for verification at the point where the FEC is applied for before the resident permit.

I haven't had any concrete proof as yet but I suspect that some employers have taken it upon themselves to insist on the authentication before arrival in case of potential problems or discrepancies later. They would lose a lot of face if an applicant arrived in China and suddenly couldn't for whatever reason produce the documents. It could also have been introduced by the powers at be at provincial level, one never knows in China.

I would try the above in whatever order or manner you choose. There is usually a way!

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

It doesn't matter if one earned a degree in another country. All that matters to the Powerz that Bee is that it is authentic and that the bearer is who he says he is. Embassies may not be able to authenticate a degree, but most consulates can. Check with the consulate in your country or check the website of the consulate for information regarding apostillization (authentication).

It used to be in the U.S. that the PRC required authentication from every level of the state government as well as the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., then it was sent to the Chinese consulate for authentication. What a PITA.

JB140767 · Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Posts: 135

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

Yes, these new rules largely apply to new applicants who are outside of China.

Those already in the system and transferring an existing resident permit within province don't seem to be needing to produce anything other than the release letter and letter of recommendation. Those transferring out of province seem to have to provide all the documents again for uploading and approval.

I haven't had any experience of whether the actual degree is required for transferee's as the one instance we had of this was already in the system before 7th September when the major overhaul took place.

As Bud says it is hit and miss. What is written here could be fact one day and fiction the next.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

I've been in touch with the BC here - they will verify my degree. Has anyone had any experience with this kind of thing working?

Alternatively, I was thinking I could use my Irish primary degree, which I could get authenticated here, even though they have asked for my highest degree. However, I only have an original translation of it (lost the Latin parchment years ago in the Middle east - long story) Think this would work?

Sorry for banging on about this - I'm just getting stressed out!

bestteacher2012 · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 160

I hope you are not going through all this trouble for 5000 a month.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

No, certainly not! wouldn't be bothered going back to China for that much!

bitterbuffalo25 · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I am in the process of doing this myself, actually, and I can confirm - it's an incredible PITA.

As a U.S. Citizen, I have to take it to a notary, the county clerk, the Secretary of State, the U.S. State Dept. in DC, and subsequently the Chinese embassy in DC. I also do not currently reside in my home country. It's a good thing I'm going home to visit for Christmas, otherwise I'd be screwed (or out of a lot of money to pay for an agent).

Hopefully the process in Ireland is less involved, as I will be relieved when the million government entities have "authenticated" my degree.

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Another question - Does the authentication have to be your highest degree?. My main problem is that my highest degree is from the UK so I can't get it done here. If they could accept my primary Irish degree I could get it authenticated here pretty easily.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913