Job Discussion Forums

[psychedelic]

Hi,
I'd like to know what are the steps for getting a Z work visa to teach in China? Step by step please..thank you! Is this correct?

1. First, I get a job and send school signed contract.
2. I wait for Letter of Invitation. * Does this normally take two weeks or..? ? * Will this letter be e-mailed to me or will I be sent an actual paper letter?
3. I'm in Taiwan where there's no Chinese Consulate. * So, I have to fly to Hong Kong to get my Z visa,medical check,etc. ** So, I fly to Hong Kong..apply for work visa and get medical check..wait several days for visa,medical check clearance and foreign residence permit. ** Am I correct? Did I miss anything? Please reply ASAP.

Best regards,
psych

[LanGuTou]

[knight4ever]

LanGuTou is right about the invitation letter. It cannot be sent electronically.

Many people go to HK to file for the Z visa but a friend of mine was told he had to go back to the USA (his home country) to receive his invitation letter when he was applying for his Z visa. Met another teacher recently who said she also had to return to her home country because the invitation letter could not be sent to HK. Make sure you can apply for your Z visa in HK before you make the trip over.

[Ariadne]

The invitation letter doesn't have to be sent to HK, it can be sent wherever you happen to be. But, the letter must indicate on it that you will apply for your visa in HK, not in your home country.

.

[xjgirl]

5 days to get the invitation letter?

last year it took my school 2 and a half months

Also most Foreign Experts Bureaus take at least about 2 weeks

[mat chen]

You must fly to Hong Kong then fly back to your home country come here then teach for a month without pay then go to Hong Kong and then come back here.
Seriously no one knows. And things change day to day here. We all would like clarification. I think the best way is to marry a Chinese national and then go to Hong Kong or out of the country every(?)
Keep us informed.
But Taiwan is part of China isn't it? Why are you having troubles?

[daCabbie]

[flyingscotsman]

[LanGuTou]

[Teatime of Soul]

Ten days to twenty days maximum to get all the documents done and in the mail.

2.5 months is beyond incompetent.

[flyingscotsman]

[klwolf]

As far as costs go, I was thinking about finding accommodation in Guangzhou and then taking the train into HK to renew my visa. Would border crossing be too time consuming to make this work? Does this sound like a reasonable option to anyone?

[Ariadne]

If you have a Resident Permit it can probably be renewed by your employer on the Mainland. If you are indeed going to need a Z visa, you won't be able to camp out in Guangzhou, because during the time it takes to get your visa in HK they will keep your passport.

.

[kimo50]

Here is what you need to do - I just completed the process at the PRC Embassy in Manila:

Obtain:
1 ) Original visa notification form showing intended location of application (ie HK, Manila etc)
2) Original working permits
3) Original signed employment contract
It took me three weeks to get these docs from my employer. To be safe bring photocopies of all these.
While you are waiting for these docs to come from your employer have your physical completed. Thus when the three documents arrive you are ready to visit the PRC Embassy.

I applied at the PRC Embassy in Manila. They had a notice posted saying Z visa is not eligible for expedited processing so be prepared to wait for the 4 day standard procedure.
Arrive at the Embassy dressed erespectfully ie not in shorts tshirt and slippers.
When you apply also bring:
1) Original degree and photocopy
2) Original medical report from an approved clinic.
3) Passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and empty pages, copy of passport information page, copy of passport emergency contact page.
I also brought my graduate transcript to be safe but it was not requested.
Bring a few extra photos just in case.

Good luck!

[Bisis]