Job Discussion Forums

rivers · Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Ireland

hi,
could anyone advise me if its necessary to bring the actual degree (the scroll thats in latin in my case) to china?
i've scanned it in to a computer and mailed it to myself and have print outs etc. - is this sufficient? or will they want to see the original in general?

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Most schools that you contact will tell you what they need and you can ask them of course. However, China's not S. Korea . . . yet . . . where they want diplomas, sealed transcripts, a sample of your blood . . . (just kidding - - I think!). I almost considered S. Korea until I found out the hoops I had to jump through to get there!

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

From personal experience, no, just scan your passport's photo page, your degree and/or your TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate/diploma and put the files on a USB flashdrive, CD, or floppy disk and e-mail them to any employer who wants to see them.

danielita · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 281 Location: SLP

I am not sure if it will work in China, but you could try using notarized copies of the originals (the notary states that they are true, unaltered copies of the original document)

D

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

My last school required teachers to present their actual diplomas upon arrival in China. The school was quite clear about this during the hiring process.

Ask the school about their requirements. If they do need to see the actual document, carry it yourself. Don't mail it.

.

saint57 · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:12 pm Post subject:

I may have mentioned this before. I had to bring my original degree to Korea. Someone at my school had to make a copy of it. My degree is very wide so I guess it may have been inconvenient to copy it. No problem, they just folder it to suit their needs. They didn�t ask and they didn�t apologize. Thanks Rolling Eyes

Leon Purvis · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject:

Circa 2003: South Korean schools accepted notarized copies of degrees which were authenticated by S.K. consulate. If i remember correctly, I sent the originals to the consulate and then the consulate authenticated them. I then sent the authenticated copies to the school.

This may have changed since 2003. Your school WILL tell you what it needs.

A Chinese school will tell you what it needs, but in China everything is subject to change at a moment's notice. If you're told to bring the actual skin, bring it, but in all likelihood, if it asks for it, it'll need to be authenticated. I don't know anyone who has been asked for an actual degree upon arrival, especially if they were hired through an agency posing as the school's FAO.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Personally I would recommend that you do bring the original but just don't give it to anyone. In some cases you may need to show the original and then copies can be made, but you don't need to give anyone your original. A degree document is obviously a hassle to replace but is not irreplaceable. Getting knocked back for a job that you really want based upon the fact that you don't have the original certificate would be terribly disappointing.

So while I agree with the others that you probably won't need it, I still recommend that you bring it just in case.

darijen7 · Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 2

Do you need to present the original for the visa?

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

ya.. take it.. duhh.

Or just order a replacement copy from your university. Heck, order 10.
But itzzza gona cost ya.

Get it notarized too.

Bring it.

all the places ask for it. Don't leave home without it!

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Oh yes, working in South Korea for the Goverment EPIK program when about 10% to 20% of the Korean English teacher hate foreign teachers and go out of their way to make trouble for you is so much fun. It's much better here in China.

Required Documents ...

All applicants will be required to submit the following:

Completed application form (including two passport-size photos)
Personal essay
Personal medical assessment
Official medical report (must be submitted before interview)
Two recommendation letters
Original Diploma, Degree, Testamur (as appropriate)
Original sealed transcripts
Copy of passport photo-page
Criminal record check (Police check)
(If applicable) Teacher's certificate, TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate copies (100+ course hours)
(If applicable) Proof of teaching experience (full-time)
(For applicants of Korean heritage) Copy of citizenship or legal residency certificate(s)
(If English is not your first language) Proof of English education beginning from junior high school (transcripts or report cards from Grade 7)

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

Anda,
your post seems to apply to Korea, not China

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

if your FAO is as conscientous as the one i had in Zhengzhou, they will ask for your original degree certificate, examine it closely, admire it for a few moments, then fold it up into a little square and stuff it in her purse... returning it to you after all your visa paperwork has been processed Very Happy

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Steppenwolf

Yes I was the third one on this thread to bring up South Korea and the ammount of paperwork required.

From year to year requirements can change anywhere here in Asia so it's good to have paperwork with you I think, if you intend to stay more than one year.

When I first went to South Korea in 1990 a black and white photo copy was all that was required, look now.