Job Discussion Forums

Badboy Blue · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:39 am Post subject: Did I get screwed?

Here I am, just mere weeks before I go to China and I go visit the Chinese embassy in Seoul to confirm the information about the necessary documents I needed to get my visa.

Previously, I was told that I needed only my passport, one photo and the usual documentation (invitation letter and work permit form). Now, they say I also need a medical exam done (which I was previously told was not necessary). I am not working in Korea and thus, have no insurance. Without insurance, the physical exam will cost at least $200.

Plus, it doesn't make any difference to me since i was going to do it in China anyway once I arrive. But the "nice" people at the Chinese embassy said "sorry- no health form~ no visa!"

I relayed this to the person (A 22 year old putz) who kindly helped me get the job. He didn't believe me and wanted to call them embassy himself. But they refused to talk to him and instead gave him a number that didn't seem to work. He asked me to do, but the phone call is a toll call that charges $4 a minute (huh?...).

So I asked him what are the alternatives, he said he didn't know.
But I said why don't I just get a tourist visa and change it after I get the necessary papers and work done in Beijing.

"No! No! In Beijing, all this has to done before you arrive! You can't arrive on a tourist visa!" He exclaimed.

But to me that doesn't make sense since I know alot of people do that when they go to China to find work, right?

I have heard of alot of people, at least on this board, who have travelled to China on a whim and found a job. Why is this guy making my life more difficult?

I just think that the school doesn't want to pay for the flight to Hong Kong to change the visa.

So, I guess I'm out of a job. I am looking for a job in Beijing only, but I guess it ain't going to happen.

Oh well, see you all next time.

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

As far as I remember, even though I had the job organised, and had the letter from my school, I needed no medical before I went to China. I paid for a basic visa and then the school sorted the rest when I turned up. They paid my medical when I got ther.e

mike w · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject:

The rules in Beijing are in the process of being changed. They are right to tell you not to come on an 'L' visa. If you do, you will be very lucky to find a job.
In Beijing, it is now impossible to change your 'L' visa to an 'F' visa. You have never been able to change from 'L' to 'Z' in Beijing - officially that is.
It shouldn't be necessary for a medical to get an 'F' visa.
Hell, I came in on a 'Z' visa three years ago without any medical.

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

I've come twice on a 'Z' visa without a medical first. The medical was done in Shenyang. Both times I got my visa in Ottawa. I don't know if this makes a difference.

ieea · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 5:38 pm Post subject: Maybe mis-informed

Talkdoc · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 696

randyj · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:58 am Post subject:

Taishan posted a good alternative in the sticky in March, namely go to Hong Kong for the Z visa. I assume that still works.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Maybe I'm just lucky but I've had two jobs at two different schools where I entered on an L-visa and had it changed to a Z. Recently I transfered schools and didn't have to go to Hong Kong for a visa run, although the mechanics of changing employers was very complex.

Steve

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

I don't see where Hong Kong comes into this. All he has to do is get a medical done in Korea and voila-Z visa. On the other hand I have been to that Embassy at Kyobo...BVusier than Shanghai station and quite frustrating. Also look at the sticky top of this page.

But people don't go to HK for Z visa as far as I know. They go to HK in a pinch to renew their tourist visa. You either arrive on a Z or the school (depending on the province) change it without you going anywhere.

Badboy Blue · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 6:53 am Post subject:

lagerlout~ you must have come from Korea on your way to China.

Then you must know that any checkup at a Korean hospital will run at least $200 or more and will take about 3 weeks to schedule, without medical insurance.
Thanks to the school for dragging their feet, wanting me to get everything done right before the semester happens, I have no time to get anything done because I got nothing so far, so I'm out of a job.
And from what I've heard thus far, it seems like I would not be able to go with a tourist visa to look for work.

Would it be better to go and look for a job or what?

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

To me, yor question in the title of your thread is unnecessarily provocative; nobody wants to cheat you, full stop!

From the answers supplied so far you can gather that anyone needs a medical exam in order to be allowed to perform their job. The only question is: should the medical exam take place in the applicant's country of residence, or in China?

Traditionally, the Chinese bureaucrats mistrust other bureaucrats, especially if they don't have a language in common. Thus, some embassies trust local doctors, and have the power to issue you a work visa upon presentation of a medical exam; others issue you a work visa but you have to undergo a meedical exam in China.
Still others won't get any work visa unless in China itself - where they have to undergo the medical exam.

The difference?
I don't know if your employer is willing to foot the bill.
However, he still has to apply for your residence permit and your work permit - that's the moment when some PSB functionary might decide you have to take your medical exam again...

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

BBlue--I did come here through Korea last year but I arrived here on a 30 day visa and had it changed..Not all schools can do this..My first choice was near Beijing --Chengde-(??)--but they said they could not get the visa this way..
So I can't help much as far as the medical goes. I would have suggested those walk-in clinics but I guess it needs to be scheduled through a hospital...
Sounds like a drag---since the school know this stuff they should have been getting the letters to you and letting you know...