Job Discussion Forums

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I'm in talks with a good school, the problem is the visa. I've been told that I should go back to my home country. (Actually, in theory, I am in my home country, since I'm now Peruvian and have lived in Peru for five years and havne't lived in the US for 8 years)

Is it really necessary to go back to your country of origin for the Z visa? Or does it depend on guanxi?

AS it is now, I've been told go to the US, and possibly have to pay for an expensive medical, but enter on a Z visa. Or stay in Peru and enter on an L visa. Costwise, the L visa sounds better.

Which brings me to another question, can L visas still be changed to Z visas in CHina, with guanxi?

Thanks so much!

M3tt · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:38 am Post subject:

I can't comment specifically on the rule of having to return to your "home country" since this has not affected me personally yet, but there is one part of the procedure you should be aware of and which I've been wondering about.

When I was getting a Z visa several years ago, the letter of invitation specified in which country I would be applying. I happened to be in Europe at the time so the paperwork that was sent to me said something like "apply to the Chinese consulate in Belgium" even though I'm American. At the time this meant that the letter would be no good if I applied in another country.

Can anyone confirm/dispel whether this is still the case? Can a person who is a citizen of country A get a visa in country B and does the letter of invitation have to say which country (consulate) is issuing the visa? Is this moot as the new rules specify you must go "home"???

M3tt · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:38 am Post subject:

Sorry, double post.

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

When it does specify your home country you definitely can't obtain your work visa in Hong Kong.

Therefore it is safe to believe you can't get it in any country other than the one specified in your invitation letter.

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

When it does specify your home country you definitely can't obtain your work visa in Hong Kong.

Therefore it is safe to believe you can't get it in any country other than the one specified in your invitation letter.

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

When it does specify your home country you definitely can't obtain your work visa in Hong Kong.

Therefore it is safe to believe you can't get it in any country other than the one specified in your invitation letter.

Katja84 · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 165

Uh-uh - this might affect me too. My university hasn't sent me the invitation letter yet, but would it be possible to request them to specify that I can get the visa from the country where I am now living?

JamesD · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:01 am Post subject:

If you're not in your home country I would suggest telling them where you are and that the letter needs to be written to reflect that.

You might hear:
1. "OK", which means the rule applies and you caught it in time.
2. "It doesn't matter where you are", so it's not on the letter now and you're ok.
3. "Sorry, you have to go to (home country)", which means either the home rule is in effect or they already have the letter and it says your home country.

IF the letters still specify country and you go to the visa office in Norway while the letter says Austria then you're wasting your time.

Anyone else run into this?

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

Although I was able to obtain a Z Visa in a third country, the rules may have changed in the meantime. An L Visa can only be changed to a residence permit in certain provinces, for example, Shanghai; or for certain categories of employment, such as corporate. If they are telling you that you have to go to your home country to apply, then that may be what you'll have to do. I would definitely get them to double-check it with the appropriate government office, but if that really is the case, you will have to either go home, or consider accepting a job in a province or employment category that is more convenient to your circumstances.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

Perhaps you could try asking the Embassy in Lima if it's possible. They will be the ones granting the visa or refusing to grant it.

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

The blue and white invitation letter/work permit has a spot near the center that specifies which country you are to have the visa processed.

You just have to make absolutely sure the school FAO understands which country you want the form processed in and that somebody checks the form after it is processed to ensure it does in fact say the correct country - before it is mailed to you.

For some FAOs, it easier to say, "You must go to your home country" than bother with the above.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

crunchyone · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 65

I came to China from South Korea almost a month ago on a 30 day L visa.

My passport is currently with the PSB for a L visa extension.

I have just got the results from the medical check back, and the paperwork for my Z visa will go in today.

The school says I will be going to Hong Kong inside the next two weeks Smile

h

Optional_Toaster · Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 74 Location: Dong bei

Came here a year and a half ago from South Korea as well, on a L-visa and a one-way ticket. Got my residence permit with no problems, but I've heard stories to the contrary.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home