Z-visa documents

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Norith

Newbie

Joined: Sep 30, 2007
Posts: 2

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 15, 2007 - 02:42 AM
Post subject: Z-visa documents

I've been looking for a job and I'd researched the topic, but now it looks like I had outdated information. I'm wondering if you need to have a medical examination for Z-visa application, or if you still just have to get it once you're in shanghai for the residency permit?

I'm in the U.S. without medical insurance, and the tests that they require (or at least, were requiring...EKG, X-rays, ultrasounds) are very expensive. If things have changed, would it be easier for me to come over on a tourist visa and then have a visa agent change it to a Z-visa? If so, does anyone have any experience with finding an ESL job once in shanghai? (recent college grad, no tefl experience or certificate)

Thanks in advance

jzzzzzzz

Veejay

Joined: July 07, 2006
Posts: 2037

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 15, 2007 - 10:02 AM

You do not need a medical for the Z-Visa. You do need one when you arrive in Shanghai and apply for the work & residence permit. You have to get this at specific places and one from overseas is not accepted.

You have to get the Z-Visa out of the country. I guess you could come on a tourist visa, find a job which will sponsor you for Z-Visa and then fly to Hong Kong to process it.

yu888
Board Deity

Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 19241
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH

Posted: Oct 15, 2007 - 02:11 PM

Z-visas these days require you to enter on THAT visa which means a trip back out and back into china if you do get a Z visa here. A qualified employer must submit all the paperwork needed to apply to hire you, get a work permit for you, then you will be allowed to apply for a Z-visa and enter to take on the job.

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NewUser88

Newbie

Joined: Oct 16, 2007
Posts: 1

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 16, 2007 - 12:22 PM

Thanks to Norith for starting this thread. I have his same problem, with one difference: I’m further along (with a job offer) and have paid for all those medical procedures. When I tried to apply for a Z-visa at the consulate with the various documents (“Employment License,” etc.), they gave me a “Foreigner Physical Examination Form,” despite the fact that my employer will send me for a physical exam when I arrive in China. It seems redundant, but it seems it must be done, at least here in the United States.

Here’s my problem, though: according to the consulate’s website, getting the medical exam, and having the Form signed by your physician, is just the start of it. After that you must have the Physical Exam Form notarized by a notary public and about four or five other people, including the US State Department (!). This would involve 2-3 days of driving around to various places. Has anyone else dealt with this? How did you handle it? Will the Embassy or consulate perhaps just accept your doctor’s signature, without asking for all these other stamps?

In a way going to China with a tourist visa and changing over to a Z, even if that involves flying to Hong Kong to process paperwork, sounds preferable to this stumbling block that I’ve encountered =/ My thanks to anyone who has advice.