Which visa should I go for?

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markgorm

Newbie

Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2

Status: Offline

Posted: May 10, 2006 - 01:22 PM
Post subject: Which visa should I go for?

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can help with advice regarding the ever-confusing visa dilemma?

I'll be moving to Shanghai in July with my wife who is being posted there. I want to work as well but plan on finding something when I'm there. I'd like to know what the best visa category is that I should enter China on.

Should I just enter on a standard tourist visa and try and get a company to sponsor me (providing someone is willing to hire me)? Or, I think her company would also "employ" me for a Z visa, but is that the best solution? If I subsequently found work, would the new company have to "convert" my Z visa? Would having a Z visa from my wife's company make it easier (or harder) for another company to hire me?

What visa would you enter on if you were in my situation?

Thanks to anyone who can help,

Cheers!

Magnolia
Board Biatch

Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31550

Posted: May 10, 2006 - 01:35 PM

I would look into the spousal Z visa which is issued to trailing spouses. That way, when you find a new position here, you will be able to have the new company get you a new Z visa and there shouldn't be any questions about what happened to the original visa/company.

Especially easier if the Z visas for your wife and yourself can be handled prior to moving to China... will save a trip out of China in order to get the Z visa. Not sure what the exact process is for switching from one Z visa to another (when working for another company). The Z visa your wife's company is going to arrange for you is probably the spousal Z, which means that when you find a job here, you will probably want to keep things on the up and up and go through the process again so you have the correct visa with the correct company. There are probably tons of people who don't do this but I tend to like my i's dotted and t's crossed to avoid potential problems.

Rio
Post Boaster

Joined: Dec 04, 2004
Posts: 4724

Posted: May 10, 2006 - 03:23 PM

The process for switching from one Z visa to another, change of company, is just to present your new contract with the new company and they will review and change the working permit (both the green paper and brown-reddish little book.

markgorm

Newbie

Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2

Status: Offline

Posted: May 11, 2006 - 11:54 AM

Thanks guys - that's exactly the info I was after! Much appreciated...

Ventura

Reacher

Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 291

Status: Offline

Posted: May 11, 2006 - 03:40 PM

I changed my job 2 months ago. You have to make sure your old company does not report you leaving. I asked my company not to do this and they agreed until I received a new job offer and contract. After that, I had to go through the whole process again, but was able to switch from one Z-visa to the other one, and even get an extension of 6 months.