Job Discussion Forums

[JeremyDay]

I've been in China for the last year. My wife and I have been apart during this time. I'm American. She is Colombian.

I'm curious if anyone has brought their wife over. The school I am going to is aware of my intentions. I'm curious how the process goes. Does the school add your dependents to your application for a Z visa or when they extend/transfer your residence permit? Will they eventually send an invitation letter to your wife as they do to a person who is first applying to come to China?

I, of course, am going to ask my school for further information, but I was hoping to get some folks' experience in this process. They've asked me for her personal information, and I am having her translate our marriage certificate to Chinese.

Thanks.

[jaybet3]

The document process will be the least of your worries.

Do you and your wife have a plan for what she's going to do while you work?

I'm also an American and my wife is Indonesian. We currently live in her home town in Indonesia and my wife laughed when I asked her to come with me to China.

Asking her to leave her family and friends and come to a place where she doesn't know anyone, can't speak the language and didn't work would be a nightmare. I'd come home to a very unhappy wife which would make things worse ... not better.

You haven't mentioned where she lives now, but asking someone from a warm weather climate to spend a dismal, cold winter with very little sun would be cruel and unusual punishment.

Then there's the food ....

Anyway, my wife and I survive on WeChat. Video calls and constant contact keeps us both connected.

So, that's my opinion. I hope your wife is more adventurous than mine!

Good luck!

[JeremyDay]

She really wants to be here. Yeah, Colombia is all sunshine, good weather, and little pollution, but she wants to be here. That isn't a problem. She definitely wants to come.

I'm just curious about the actual process. She is very adventurous.

[rioux]

Can she teach Spanish?

[jaybet3]

I think some schools are happy to know that married teachers are bringing their families. Makes them appear more stable.

Lean on your school to take care of the process. Be prepared for an intensive paper chase of getting the proper documents, etc.

I'm guessing at least two months minimum to complete the process.

Also, helping her find work would be a good thing to keep her busy.

[nimadecaomei]

In the past it was mostly submit your marriage cert, the government issues the letter, she goes to embassy and then gets the visa. After arrival the visa is converted to an RP. That being said, who knows. I have not done this but have known others who did in the past. In the past though, things were different. Is you marriage cert from your country of from Colombia? It might have to go through this authentication process that degrees and criminal checks need to go through now.

[JeremyDay]

For various reasons, our marriage certificate is from Panama. She is from Colombia; I am from the U.S.A. She only speaks Spanish. Her English is basic.

I made a point that my school knew that she would be coming. I believe that they are going to add her information to my process as a dependent.

I have sent them a picture of her passport page. I also have her starting the authentication and translation process of our marriage certificate, her diplomas, and letter of experience with a company in Colombia. I believe that the marriage certification already has an apostille, but I am aware that China requires an authentication and translation.

We very much would like her to eventually work. As for teaching Spanish, that is the plan. Whether or not these diplomas and letter will fill the requirements, I can't be sure. My school expressed interest in Spanish even though they don't have a program in place. They are a foreign language school with an international style curriculum.

I was hoping to get a description of how it went from someone who went through the process. Our primary concern is to get her over here. Second, we want to work on the job idea.

[rogerwilco]

A few years ago I met a Colombian woman that was teaching Spanish at a university in Anhui. She spoke English to teach Spanish.

I also met a Chinese woman that is a translator for her boss when he travels to South America.

There is a market out there, just not sure how much.

[JeremyDay]

From my research, I have found that there is a market. It isn't advertised as much where I've looked, but there are schools. Many foreign language schools have their students study more than one language. The last one I taught at had a German and Spanish teacher for sure. I also found a somewhat dated article that stated the demand was growing and that there was a short supply of teachers. I'm fairly confident that finding work will not be an issue. Especially in or around larger cities.

I speak Spanish, but not at the level of an instructor. In the future, I hope to market us as a package deal. First, we have to navigate this visa process.

[cdchristy]

As requested, I will respond. I believe dependents are invited by the Z visa holder. Your wife will likely be processed like my children in this regard.