Job Discussion Forums

[dove]

I am seriously considering applying for jobs in China. About 4 years ago, I had my degrees and certificates apostilled just in case I ever decided to apply for a job in a country that needed an apostille. Based on anyone's experience/knowledge, will the Chinese consulates (particularly New York City and Seattle) accept an apostille from 4 years ago?
Thank you!

[JeremyDay]

You need to authenticate the document with a certification, not an apostille. Perhaps the terminology is a little different in your state, but the idea remains the same.

[teenoso]

If the degree certificate(s) have been correctly authenticated/notarised , there should be no date limit or 'expiry'.

But you need to ask the Chinese consulate first to authenticate the documents - they affix a chinese language 'sticker of authenticity' to the certificate - before you can use the certificate in the visa-application process.

I think you should use only the highest certificate , not all, because it gets expensive. The fully authenticated certificate , and police check , will be used by your future employer to get you a visa invitation letter.

[Simon in Suzhou]

An apostille which has been acquired for working in most countries (South Korea, etc) WILL NOT work for China. China has not signed the Hague convention for which apostilles were standardized.

To obtain a work permit for CHINA, your degree must be authenticated in a different way than an apostille. It is all done in the same offices as apostilles, but you have to clearly direct the authorities to stamp your paperwork for CHINA. Then it has to be stamped by the nearest Chinese consulate which is near your university.

Plan on NOT being able to use what you had done a few years ago.