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JRJohn
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 175
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 Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:50 pm Post subject: Do I Really HAVE to Get a Medical Test In My Own Country? |
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I am living in the U.K.I have been offered a possible job in China, after a very favourable recommendation from a former teacher at that school. I signed the contract, but the school gave me a vague and very complex
medical form and told me to do it quickly. My local GP refused to help me at all.
It looks like I will need to see several doctors, as the Travel Clinic can't do it all. Is it ever possible to just get the tests done in China? A friend in China now said he'd never had to do it in the U.K.
The school wants it all done by July. They can wait but they want it done QUICKLY. |
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Tainan
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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| It sounds like your local GP is in the wrong field. Why would he refuse to help you? I took the medical form to my doctor, who filled the whole thing out in less than three minutes. What is the problem? |
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hot_water_hillbilly
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Posts: 97
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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The medical exam is NOW REQUIRED to be done in advance to even apply for the work permit and visa issuance letter.
Doctor refused to fill out medical forms? uhhhhhh |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:26 am Post subject: |
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| Most general practitioners require that patients schedule physical examinations well in advance. This is largely because general physical exams are time-consuming. They are usually scheduled during times when the office is not very busy. I went through the same thing with my GP. I finagled my way onto the schedule because I needed the physical ASAP. I had to go through the whole exam: eyes, chest x-ray, five blood profiles. |
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smutbagdisco
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:21 am Post subject: |
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I just came on a tourist visa because I wanted to get to China ASAP and then changed visa.
I did a medical at the Guangzhou international medical centre in Tianhe, got that medical summary letter and the little international travellers booklet (the now orange one) and then just went to hong kong to apply for the work visa with the documents.
I dont even work in Guangzhou, just happened to be there travelling through at the time.
Doing the medical in China beforehand was good because it meant I could use the same medical's paper work after I got the visa. It was the only medical I did until I renewed my contract some 12 months later |
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MisterButtkins
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Posts: 1221
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:30 am Post subject: |
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I know what form you are talking about and I'm not sure that it's entirely required. I know it isn't in my province. I just went to a walk in clinic in the US, a crappy one that I had heard generally gives people whatever they want (ie, pill junkies go there to score drugs). I told the doctor I needed a note that said I was in good physical condition and that no, I didn't need any blood work or other tests. He took all my vital signs, asked a few questions, and gave me a signed note. I scanned the note, sent it in, and my school sent the invitation letter and stuff.
Note though that they are very serious about the HIV test and you will need to get that done. I got mine done for US 45$ at Planned Parenthood. |
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Teatime of Soul
Joined: 12 Apr 2007
Posts: 905
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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The Chinese Embassy website in your home country should have the forms to download for recording your medical exam results.
Note that different Embassies/consulates do things different ways. Whereas the Chinese Embassy in your home country may require the exam to issue a visa, a Chinese consulate in a different location in your country may not require the exam.
Explore your options. |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Tainan wrote: |
| It sounds like your local GP is in the wrong field. Why would he refuse to help you? I took the medical form to my doctor, who filled the whole thing out in less than three minutes. What is the problem? |
I asked my doctor the same questions. Apparently, it's an ethical issue. |
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Mister Al
Joined: 28 Jun 2004
Posts: 840
Location: In there
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Teatime of soul is correct. Ask your local consulate. |
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themanymoonsofjupiter
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 205
Location: The Big Link
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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first off, the HIV thing is now (will soon be?) null & void--there was a write-up in the china daily a couple months ago about how they're no longer going to refuse people based on positive HIV results.
if you get every single thing done to fill out that form in your home country, it will take forever and (at least for me) will cost plenty. i didn't do it. as MisterButtkins said, just go to a crappy clinic, have them take your blood pressure, etc. and give that to the school (as long as they agree). if the school really is demanding you get the whole form filled in, either do it or forget it. my school essentially told me all they really need to know is if i'm in good enough health to bring me here or not--then the real medical exam can be done in china, in a couple hours, in a clinic set up to do all those things. |
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Tainan
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| first off, the HIV thing is now (will soon be?) null & void--there was a write-up in the china daily a couple months ago about how they're no longer going to refuse people based on positive HIV results. |
Jupiter,
We need to be very careful to distinguish between two things. Recently China, along with the United States and South Korea, got rid of the HIV travel ban. That means that these three countries no longer forbid people with HIV from merely setting foot on their soil; one may visit as a tourist. However, it does not necessarily mean that people with HIV are granted visas for work or study. Taiwan, for example, has never (or not recently anyway) had a travel ban, but it does refuse visas.
The Chinese travel ban was repealed about a month or two ago, and from the fact that a great deal of fuss is still being made about getting the medical check when applying for a work visa, I assumed that the repeal of the travel ban did not extend to long-term visas.
So please tell us exactly what this China Daily article said. Was it merely reporting the end of the travel ban, or did it specifically say that people with HIV could be granted work visas?
Thank you!
| Quote: |
| if you get every single thing done to fill out that form in your home country, it will take forever and (at least for me) will cost plenty. i didn't do it. as MisterButtkins said, just go to a crappy clinic, have them take your blood pressure, etc. and give that to the school (as long as they agree). if the school really is demanding you get the whole form filled in, either do it or forget it. my school essentially told me all they really need to know is if i'm in good enough health to bring me here or not--then the real medical exam can be done in china, in a couple hours, in a clinic set up to do all those things. |
First of all, a lot of the things in the form are silly. Mental illness, leprosy...do I really need to get tested to find out I don't have leprosy? It just so happened that at the time when I got a job in China, I had recently had an HIV test and a general physical done, so I simply went back to the same doctor who filled out the form in a minute. She did not test for leprosy or mental illness etc. At that time there was no medical check being done in China! |
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Tainan
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Hello? Anybody home? |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Tainan wrote: |
So please tell us exactly what this China Daily article said. Was it merely reporting the end of the travel ban, or did it specifically say that people with HIV could be granted work visas? |
There was a blurb in Reuters News Agency about this about six months (or more) ago. Two other nations (whose names I forget) also signed onto some sort of international accord. Not much else was said about it.
Interestingly, the Chinese consulate in Washington DC states:
4.Any person suffering from a mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China. [The site was last updated on 9/19/2008!]
However, on form Q1, the following questions are asked:
3.1 Have you ever been refused a visa for China?
3.2 Have you ever been refused entry into or deported from China?
3.3 Do you have any criminal record in China or any other country?
3.4 Do you suffer from any of the following diseases?
① Mental Diseases
③Venereal Diseases
⑤Leprosy
②Open Tuberculosis
④HIV Positive or AIDS
⑥Other infectious diseases
And then the applicant is informed of the following:
If you select Yes to any question from 3.1 to 3.4, you do not lose eligibility for visa application. Please give detailed reasons for your answer.
This may be found at the following link:
http://www.china-embassy.org/chn/hzqzzgqz/P020070611087242661716.pdf
Back to the OP: Yes, some recruiters/schools/provinces are requiring the test to be done before the letter of invitation is issued. When I told my recruiter that I couldn't have the required test performed within ten days, I was told to submit my latest physical examination for the recruiter's and the school's immediate purposes, then submit the current medical check when I arrive. The two tests don't have the overlap of results that would tell the government what it wants to know: results of hepatitus A, B, C, and the SPGT liver functions test.
I have a feeling that I'll just have to undergo another battery of tests just like I did for my previous teaching jobs. |
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hot_water_hillbilly
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Posts: 97
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| Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:15 am Post subject: |
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| Miles Smiles wrote: |
Back to the OP: Yes, some recruiters/schools/provinces are requiring the test to be done before the letter of invitation is issued. When I told my recruiter that I couldn't have the required test performed within ten days, I was told to submit my latest physical examination for the recruiter's and the school's immediate purposes, then submit the current medical check when I arrive. The two tests don't have the overlap of results that would tell the government what it wants to know: results of hepatitus A, B, C, and the SPGT liver functions test.
I have a feeling that I'll just have to undergo another battery of tests just like I did for my previous teaching jobs. |
To be clear, the actual law itself regarding eligibility to receive a work permit and visa letter of invitation changed this past year (2009). While any so-called law in China is actually dynamic and flexible, the law now requires that the physical exam (health clearance) be obtained prior to arrival in China. In fact, as noted, it is required to be submitted to even obtain the work permit and letter of invitation.
I've confirmed this with the government officials in Shandong. Feel free to confirm it where you are.
If you're not willing to play by the rules, then stay home. Despite the costs and time involved - well, too bad. Other countries to similar things. Try and negotiate fee reimbursement with your employer. This is the cost of doing business and needs to be done. |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:33 am Post subject: |
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| hot_water_hillbilly wrote: |
| Miles Smiles wrote: |
Back to the OP: Yes, some recruiters/schools/provinces are requiring the test to be done before the letter of invitation is issued. When I told my recruiter that I couldn't have the required test performed within ten days, I was told to submit my latest physical examination for the recruiter's and the school's immediate purposes, then submit the current medical check when I arrive. The two tests don't have the overlap of results that would tell the government what it wants to know: results of hepatitus A, B, C, and the SPGT liver functions test.
I have a feeling that I'll just have to undergo another battery of tests just like I did for my previous teaching jobs. |
To be clear, the actual law itself regarding eligibility to receive a work permit and visa letter of invitation changed this past year (2009). While any so-called law in China is actually dynamic and flexible, the law now requires that the physical exam (health clearance) be obtained prior to arrival in China. In fact, as noted, it is required to be submitted to even obtain the work permit and letter of invitation.
I've confirmed this with the government officials in Shandong. Feel free to confirm it where you are.
If you're not willing to play by the rules, then stay home. Despite the costs and time involved - well, too bad. Other countries to similar things. Try and negotiate fee reimbursement with your employer. This is the cost of doing business and needs to be done. |
I am sorry that you don't like what I was told by my recruiter. I was a bit surprised by it. I think that your comment about playing by the rules was unwarranted.
I have no intention of circumventing the law. That sort of thing catches up with one.
I don't feel the need to confirm anything because I don't doubt that a physical is mandatory prior to issuance of the letter of invitation. That was my understanding. I've been in and out of China often enough to know that at some point, one must take a physical. I think that in my case, the recruiter wanted to seal the recruitment with me AND the school ASAP in order to be able to go on to the next client. The results of my current physical exam (with the five above-mentioned blood tests) have been faxed to the recruiter and the school.
I didn't intend to get you riled up, Hillbilly. |
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