Job Discussion Forums

dashanzi73 · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 8

Are medical exams required to be performed in China, or can they be performed by my personal physician in the U.S.? Specifically, what are the employer's requiring in the medical exam? I'm a recent CELTA graduate and am starting a job search in Shanghai. Thank you.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

They have to do it here, you will get what is called a health card, actually a booklet (about the same size as a passport). Blood pressure, blood test, x-ray, etc. Not very involved, they're mostly looking for some OBVIOUS abnormalities and AIDS.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Get it done here. Although young, alcohol, fatty food an diabetes have ravaged my body but I still passed.

jamesmollo · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 276 Location: jilin china

Hi there. There is a form you can download in CHinese and Chinglish from the consulate, i think.
You will most likely have to do it again in China, as they don't 'trust' western doctors. I was required to do it in my home country (N.Z) for the z-visa, not sure about the US.
You can, however, bring your x-ray with you that will save some money. The school usually pays for all costs of your visa in China, though.
They test your blood for hiv, hepatitis, syphillis etc. x-ray for TB aswell as blood pressure, ECG...In some places even check your johnson! for visable STD's. There is also a rather amusing phyc-test.
all the best.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

The SAFEA standard contract provides for all medical examination costs to be borne by the employer.

Jayray · Joined: 28 Feb 2009 Posts: 373 Location: Back East

The Chinese consulates' sites usually indicate that one must have the examination done within the school's jurisdiction. You really should be using the information that appears upon your country's Chinese consulate website, regardless of what anyone tells you. Though the information is sometimes outdated it's a good place to start. In some cases, you can actually contact your local consulate by phone or fax. Sometimes your own embassy's office in China will give you working fax numbers and phone numbers for you to contact the Chinese consulate in your jurisdiction.

You will get conflicting answers on almost every EFL forum for several reasons: different rules for different countries; different rules followed within different provinces and cities; how much influence your FAO has within the city.

I have known FTs who had their exams performed in their home countries and the Chinese in-country requirement was waived. If you have a non-life-threatening condition which you believe will show up in a routine test and you fear that you'll be rejected because of it, have that part of the test done stateside, and have your doctor write APPROVED all over it. When the Chinese results show up and someone questions it, pull out your physician's letter and test result. That will usually settle things. **

Otherwise, if you are young and in good health, just get the physical done in China. You'll be in and out of there quite quickly, especially if there are many foreigners working in the city.**

** Results may vary. Don't try this at home. Keep away from small children, etc.,etc., etc..

White249 · Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 24 Location: United States

I had to have a physical done by my doctor at home and one when I got to the school I was working at . It was pretty basic , lots of pocking and prodding and then they brought out an ultra sound..I guess to check for tumors ? Over all it's not that bad , my school paid for ours . Good luck.