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Danzeth
Talker
Joined: Jan 21, 2008
Posts: 89
Location: Shanghai / SF
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 Posted:
Mar 12, 2008 - 07:41 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Getting a Z visa (from USA) |
A company in Shanghai wants to hire me and would like me to start in middle of April. The info on the USA Chinese Embassy's website on getting a Z visa is a bit sketchy.
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84245.htm
http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/qianzhen/zgqz/t48483.htm
The website says that I need to include with the application "A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit, and a Work Permit for Aliens issued by the Chinese Labor Ministry/ Foreign Expert's License issued by the Chinese Foreign Expert Bureau."
Can someone clarify this? So I guess the company needs to send me whatever a "visa notification" is for my visa application. What about the "Work Permit" or "Foreign Expert's License"? Do I need to apply for that or does the company do it? How long does this process usually take? And also, I thought I read in these forums that I go get the Work Permit AFTER entering with a Z visa?
This company has some Japanese employees so I'm sure they've done this stuff before. The HR guy told me to come to Shanghai first, but I thought if I do that, I'd have to take a trip to HK when I get the Z visa processed? |
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ship
Reacher
Joined: Sep 08, 2005
Posts: 287
Status: Offline
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Mar 13, 2008 - 10:31 AM |
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listen to your HR guy - you won't have to go to HK to get a Z-visa, you can easily get it in Shanghai once you have all the pieces required- enter on a multi-entry tourist visa
the one thing you can do in the States is your health check but make sure you bring all the ORIGINAL results - no copies (including the x-rays) |
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mrpango
Low Seater
Joined: Jan 26, 2007
Posts: 3274
Status: Offline
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Mar 13, 2008 - 10:39 AM |
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It depends on how much invested capital the company is, or position - in some cases you need to leave the country first before being able to get the Z visa. (>3 million USD invested capital is what is needed, or GM position).
If the company doesn't have enough invested capital, they should provide (apply for) Alien Employment LICENSE, and Z Invitation letter. Then they should send these to you in the USA.
This enables you to get the Z visa from the Chinese embassy in the USA, then enter China - book a health test straight away, after that is done, then your company can apply for your work permit. When that is received, then you can apply (company can apply) for the residence permit.
Thats it.
I would suggest getting the Z-visa to enter China first (even if company has enough capital) because it saves the trouble of getting a tourist visa first then doing another visa in China. But if HR guy says go to Shanghai first, then go to Shanghai first - if its a reasonably sized company, should be no problem to get everything processed in Shanghai. |
_________________
Well, may as well start a blog http://www.sinocracy.com/ - click at your leisure! |
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Danzeth
Talker
Joined: Jan 21, 2008
Posts: 89
Location: Shanghai / SF
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Mar 13, 2008 - 11:05 AM |
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Thanks for the info, that helps a lot. |
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mrpango
Low Seater
Joined: Jan 26, 2007
Posts: 3274
Status: Offline
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Mar 13, 2008 - 11:08 AM |
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Oh yeah, remember to register with your local police station for the Registration form for Temporary Residence - that needs to be on the day you arrive in China, and is needed for most of the visa-related things.
If you're not staying in a rented place, these forms can also be done by the hotel you first stay in. But time really is of the essence. |
_________________
Well, may as well start a blog http://www.sinocracy.com/ - click at your leisure! |
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Danzeth
Talker
Joined: Jan 21, 2008
Posts: 89
Location: Shanghai / SF
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Mar 13, 2008 - 11:13 AM |
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Yup I'll do that for sure. I ran into that issue last time when I tried to extend my L visa. Thanks for the reminder. |
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yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 18044
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:08 PM |
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If the HR guys says come first, MAKE SURE YOU VERIFY THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR THE WHOLE PROCESS INCLUDING TRAVEL TO HK IF NECESSARY ADN THE TIME TO DO IT. If the company is a well capitalised company as Pango said (>$3 Million USD) or you are GM or Vice GM of the company, then you will not need to exit to get a Z visa.
If you are joining a company with capitalization LESS than $3 Million USD, the process is generally as follows:
1) Company Obtains Work License, a govt pass to hire a foreigner (you)
The following materials are needed for this application-
--Resume (translated into Chinese and stamped by company to approve that they read it)
--Copy of your Passport
--Copy of your employer company's business license, preferably stamped
--A copy of your employer company's organization code certificate (its a smaller book type certificate)
--Your Qualification documents (used by company to prove your worth and why they should be allowed to recruit/hire you as opposed to a local) This includes Diplomas (originals MAY be needed though a copy stamped by your company usually will do) and/or reference letters from former employers.
Also, if your company is a WOFE, a copy of the permit for Foreign Investment Enterprise is needed as well.\
2) Invitation Letter- This document is a formal invitation document completed on behalf of your company, usually by the Shanghai Foreign Economic Relation and Trade Commission. The company appllies for this and needs teh following documents to do so:
--Work License (Bring a copy AND the original)
--A copy of your passport
--Copy of your employer company's business license, preferably stamped
3) With this Invitation in hand, you now have the "visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit". As of February, 2008, this invitation (submitted with the typical visa application form and 2 passport-sized photos) was enough to apply and receive a Z-visa from consulates in the US.
4) Upon Arrival into China, you will need to register your residence and get a "Registratioon Form of Temporary Residence" form from your local police station. If youa re staying at a hotel, make sure you have them provide you with a stamped form indicating you are staying there.
You have 24 hours to register or could be subject to a fine of up to 500rmb a day so make sure you go ASAP.
5) Medical Exam
The next step is a basic health exam that is required if you did not do a qualified exam before coming. As noted earleir in this thread, if you ave test resultts from before, make sure you bring ALL the ORIGINALS including the chest x-ray.
Anyhow, the Medical Exam is by appointment only so you need to call the Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center at 6268-3088 to set up an appt. The exam costs 702rmb and will require you to run through a series of tests including blood draw for a battery of tests (Blood sugar, Cholesterol, STD screen, Hepetatis, and more), a chest x-ray, BP test, Ultrasound, EKG, & eye exam.
Bring THREE passport photos, a copy of the company's business license , your passport, and a copy of your passport. You can opt for a courier delivery of results for an additional fee at that time. You will be given a form to complete, then when called they take a photo of you, ask you to change into a gown (waist up only) and then ruin through the series for tests located down one corridor. Very efficient actually and the nurses are quite helpful.
6) With the Health Certificate in hand your next step is to go get the Work Permit (same place as Work License) The following documents are again needed;
--Copy of health Certificate
--Work License
--Copy of work contract (really a simple contract with position and term of employment rather than all terms)
--Your Passport with Valid Z-visa
--Copy of your employer company's business license, preferably stamped
--A copy of your employer company's organization code certificate (its a smaller book type certificate)
--3 passport photos
7) One Year Residence Visa
This is applied for at the Entry Exit PSB bureau in Pudong
--Your Passport
--Temporary Residence Registration form
--Work Permit
--Health Certificate
--Copy of your employer company's business license, preferably stamped
--A copy of your employer company's organization code certificate (its a smaller book type certificate)
-- 1 passport sized Photo
Also, if your company is a WOFE, a copy of the permit for Foreign Investment Enterprise is needed as well.\
This list came is a combination of info from personal expereince, previous posters, and other friends who have recently gone through this process. Process information is subject to change at anytime and may not be complete so please check with proper authorities for up to date procedure. |
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Thoughts & updates about Shanghai On my Blog for more details:Random Thoughts about Living in Shanghai...and more |
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yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 18044
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:09 PM |
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Danzeth
Talker
Joined: Jan 21, 2008
Posts: 89
Location: Shanghai / SF
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| Posted:
Mar 13, 2008 - 02:41 PM |
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Wow...big checklist. Thanks yu888, really appreciate your taking the time to find and write all that. |
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