英语教育 EF English First

Transcription

1 英语教育 EF English First 中国签证事项政策手册 C h in a V isa R eg u l a t io n s Ha n d bo o k

2 Disclaimer: Information provided here within is the current information available regarding alien China visas and is subject to change without notice. Please contact your local Chinese Embassy for the most up-to-date information regarding Chinese visa regulations and procedures. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Visas and China: What You Need to Know 1 a. Chinese Immigration 1 b. Importance of having right visa 1 c. Why do you need to be legal? 1 d. Consequences 2 II. Decentralized Visa System 3 III. General Visa Process 4 IV. Decoding the Terminology 6 V. Types of Visas 10 VI. Z-Visa Requirements 12 VII. City Guide to Getting Legal 13 a. Shanghai 14 i. Pre-Departure Checklist 14 ii. Post Arrival Checklist 15 b. Beijing 16 i. Pre-Departure Checklist 16 ii. Post Arrival Checklist 17 c. Guangzhou 18 i. Pre-Departure Checklist 18 ii. Post Arrival Checklist 19 d. Shenzhen 20 i. Pre-Departure Checklist 20 ii. Post Arrival Checklist 21 VIII. Frequently Asked Questions at EF English First 22

3 VISAS AND CHINA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Chinese Immigration Every country has an immigration policy in regards to foreign persons entering the country for travel or employment. While certain countries have more relaxed immigration policies for travel to the country, all countries require official work visas in order to be employed in the country. China also requires that citizens of all countries who plan to visit for tourism or leisure also obtain a visa before entering the country. If you attempt to enter China without correct documentation from your home country visa office, you will be denied entry. Obtaining a visa requires a visit to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Why is it important to have the correct visa? In China, the visa policies are strictly regulated and becoming more so by the day. With the growth of the Chinese economy, there is an increase in the number of international organizations looking to come into China. Currently, there are estimated to be over 120,000 foreigners working in Shanghai alone. As a result, the Chinese immigration authorities have placed greater restrictions on foreign migration in an effort to safeguard national interests and the local economy. Why do you need to be legal? Not having the correct visa documentation in China is no laughing matter. If you overstay your tourist visa, receive a salary from a Chinese entity without a Z-visa, or do not complete the full visa process, you are in violation of the law and you will be fined. International visitors are closely monitored in China. From the moment you enter the country, your identification data will be registered into a national database and tracked. When you stay in a hotel or rent an apartment, your residency information is registered with the police. Occasionally, the police will do spot checks of your apartment to verify it is still your place of residence. Should you not follow the clearly defined visa procedures, the authorities will be aware of it and be able to track you to your current whereabouts. When you are located, you risk a fine of 5,000-50,000 RMB and deportation. In short, China has a very strong tracking system for foreign immigration, and you can not skirt around the rules in an effort to beat the system. What are the consequences if you are not legal? If you are receiving a salary from an employer in China and are on anything other than a Z-visa, you are working illegally. There are very serious consequences if you choose to take this risk and receive salary in China without a Z-visa. 1

4 Should the Chinese officials become aware that you are working without the proper documents, the following things will occur: You will be deported from the country immediately. There have been cases when individuals were escorted directly from their employer to the airport without the opportunity to return to their apartment to collect their things. Once you have been deported, you will not be allowed back in into China for a period of three years. Your passport will be flagged by Chinese immigration. In addition, both you and your employer will be fined a substantial sum of money (upward of 50,000 RMB) for having employed you illegally. The credibility of the employer will be in question by Chinese officials. Please note: the visa process differs depending on which city you live in, so please read the information carefully, both before departing for China and after you have arrived. Also, please be aware that visa information changes regularly and is subject to change without notice. Please consult internet resources for the most up-to-date information regarding current visa conditions in your area. 2

5 DECENTRALIZED VISA SYSTEM In China, the visa process is decentralized, which means that depending on where you live and what sort of license your employer has, your visa procedure could vary. The visa stipulations for someone working in a multinational company in Beijing, for example, could be radically different from someone applying to work at a school in Shenzhen. CITY SPECIFIC The officials in each city set the foreign immigration regulations for that city. First tier cities tend to have similar standards for visa procedures but the specific requirements for visas may vary. In second and third tier cities, the visa procedures could be more informal and unique to the requirements of the particular area. DISTRICT SPECIFIC In some cities like Beijing and Shenzhen, the issuance of visas is linked to the specific district in which the employer is located. In these cities, the PSB legal authority is at the district not city-- level, thereby tying the visa registration to that district. If the employee is to transfer offices or branches within the same company but different districts, the visa will need to be amended to reflect the new police jurisdiction. LICENSE SPECIFIC All employers, Chinese or foreign-owned, are required to have a license in order to operate. In China, there are a few basic types of license that an employer can receive, depending on the structure of the organization. Education license allow employers to hire foreign teachers to provide educational content in their institution. If an employer has an education license, they will apply to the Foreign Expert Bureau (or SAFEA) for a Foreign Expert Certificate. Business license allow employers to hire foreign personnel to work as trainers or other staff positions. If an employer has a business license, they will apply to the Foreign Labor Bureau (or MLSS) for a Foreign Work Certificate. To summarize, the type of Red book that you apply for depends on the legal entity of your employer. 3

6 GENERAL STEPS TO APPLY FOR A CHINESE WORK VISA Because the visa procedures vary between cities, districts and legal entities, the process you could go through as a visa seeker could be quite individualized. Understanding this, there is a general procedure in many major cities for obtaining a Z-visa, Residence Permit and ultimately Foreign Expert or Work Certificate. Keep in mind that your situation could vary. 8. Obtain Residence Permit 1.Document Submission to employer 7. Obtain Expert /Work Certificate 6. Medical Check WORK LEGALLY IN CHINA 2. Invitation Letter & Work Permit 3. Z-Visa Application at Embassy 5. Register with PSB 4. Immigration into China I. DOCUMENT SUBMISSION TO EMPLOYER Present your information to the host organization/ employer and wait for their response. 1. Scan of Passport (Valid for six months beyond expected return) 2. Resume 3. Copy of University Diploma, College Transcripts (And/or) TEFL Certification 4. Letter of Reference In addition, some cities require: 5. Visa Size Photos 6. Physical Examination Form 7. Signed Contract with Legally Qualified Employer II. EMPLOYEER INVITATION APPLICATION PROCESS Employer must process your documents with the authorized Chinese unit. 1. Applies to Foreign Expert or Foreign Labor Bureau for work permit. 2. Applies to the local government/ labor ministry for invitation letter. 4

7 3. Employer mails original invitation letter and work permit to employee III. Z-VISA APPLICATION PROCESSED AND APPROVED Visa Application is presented at the Chinese Embassy / Consulate for processing. 1. Invitation letter and work permit received. 2. All required documentation brought to Chinese Consulate for processing. 3. Pickup Z-Visa 4. Register with your Embassy as a citizen abroad IV. IMMIGRATION TO CHINA Present your travel documents (passport, Entry Form, Customs Declaration) to the Customs agent. You must have a visa (either L or Z-visa) in your passport before attempting to enter China. Please note: Once you have arrived, you can not leave the country on that visa until your working papers have been processed. If you must leave the country, you can apply for a tourist visa while your application for residency is being processed on your Z-visa. V. REGISTRATION WITH PSB You must register at the Public Security Bureau (PSB) within hours of having arrived in China. If you are staying at a hotel, your hotel will register you with the PSB on your behalf. After securing an apartment, you must take the hotel s temporary residency form to the PSB to register your new address. If you move at any time during your stay in China, you will need to again visit the PSB to register your new address. VI. MEDICAL CHECK In most cases you will have to partake in a non-invasive medical evaluation within a month after arriving at your location of employment. Since 2003 and as the result of SARS, your employer will take you to the hospital where you will likely have your temperature taken, perhaps have some blood drawn, and have an X-ray. This is usually required to proceed on to the next step. VII. OBTAIN FOREIGN EXPERT/ WORK CERTIFCATE Approximately one week after receiving the medical report, the Foreign Expert/ Work Certificate can be issued. This is the fist step in gaining the legal right to work in China. With this certificate, you can apply for a residence permit. Your visa officer will do this on your behalf. VII. OBTAIN RESIDENCE PERMIT Your employer should do this on your behalf. It involves the use of your original passport at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) and at the provincial Foreign Expert or Foreign Labor Bureau (SAFEA or MLSS). Once the bureaucratic process has been confirmed and satisfied you will be issued a Residence Permit Sticker in your Passport. 5

8 DECODING THE TERMINOLOGY Visas, permits, and certificates what do I really need to know. SAFEA: State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs, also referred to as the Foreign Expert Bureau. This is the governing body in China that handles your work permits and certificate if your employer has an education license. SAFEA is responsible for the administration concerning experts from abroad, and their key responsibility is to issue professional visa authorizations. MLLS: Ministry of Labor and Social Security also referred to as The Foreign Labor Bureau. This is the governing body that hands your work permits and certificates if your employer has a business license. PSB: Public Security Bureau, otherwise known as the municipal police. You will go here to turn in your temporary residency form and register after you have secured housing. Z-VISA: A work visa. It allows you to come into China with the intention to work. A Z-visa is a single entry visa which is valid for 30 days after arrival to China. You can not work on a Z-visa alone however. In order to be legal in China, you need a residence permit. In order to obtain a Z-visa, you must be invited by a company to apply. In order for a company to invite you, you need the following: LETTER OF INVITATION A4 sized letter from your employer inviting you to work for their organization in China. It is written in Chinese and English. WORK PERMIT A4 sized document that the company obtains on your behalf from the SAFEA or MLLS (depending on your company s legal entity). In order to apply for this, the visa officer must have your resume, copy of degree, FOREIGN EXPERT / WORK CERTIFICATE This certificate is in the form of a passport size red booklet (otherwise called the red book ). It is the document that entitles you to work legally in China, in combination with your Residence Permit. Please note you must have both documents in order to work legally. 6

9 The PSB routinely conducts spot checks of employers in China and request red books to be produced on demand for all foreign workers. In order to assure employees have the correct legality, many employees hold the red book on behalf of the employee. The employee is given a copy of the work permit while the original is kept safely with the visa officer, to be produced when requested by the PSB. The measure is to protect the legally entitled employee from unnecessary scrutiny. In order to apply for your foreign expert/work certificate, the visa officer requires: MEDICAL CHECK Official medical record certifying that you have passed the medical and health examination as required by the immigration body. INTERVIEW WITH PSB In certain cities, you could be called in for an interview with the PSB. It is important to remember the interviewer is a government official attempting to do his/her job, therefore respectful behavior is requested. RESIDENCE PERMIT Allows you to live and work in China for a period of one year. The residence permit supersedes your Z-visa, which means once your residence permit has been issued, your Z-visa will be canceled. Your residence permit is tied to your employer so when you leave your company, you residence permit will be deactivated. 7

10 SAMPLE: WORK PERMIT FOR INITIAL Z-VISA (GENERAL) 8

11 SAMPLE: INVITATION LETTER (GENERAL) 9

12 VISA REGULATIONS IN CHINA A Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese Visa Authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from, or transit through China. Different visas are required depending on the purpose of your travel to China. TYPES OF VISAS 1) Tourist Visa L Visa The Tourist Visa, also known as an L-visa, is the proper visa who intend on visiting China for the sole purpose of tourism. This visa does not entitle one to work or study with in China. L-visas vary in length and range from 30 day, 60 day, and 90 day. They are single, double, or multiple entry depending on original application request. 2) Business Visa F Visa The Business Visa, also known as an F Visa, is the correct visa for those who are invited to China for business. The invitation needs to be a letter from an authorized Chinese government departments, companies, or institutions. These individuals are prohibited from being paid directly by a Chinese company in China. F-visas vary in length and range from 3 month, 6 month or in some cases one year. They are single, double, or multiple entry depending on original application request. 3) Student Visa X Visa The Student Visa, also known as an X visa, is the proper visa for those who are traveling to China for the purpose of study. If you are enrolled in an academic institution, your school can apply for this type of visa on your behalf. Individuals with a student visa are not entitled to work in China. X-visas are usually one year multiple entry visas, depending on original application request. 4) Work Visa Z Visa The Work Visa, also known as a Z-visa, is the proper visa for those who travel to China for one year for work, employment, or academic exchange. This is the only visa which legally enables you to enter China for the 10

13 purpose of work. This type of visa is also applicable to accompany family members. Z-visas are single entry, 30 day visas. If you are going to be working in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen or Guangzhou, you will need to apply for a Z-visa before coming to China 11

14 REQUIREMENTS TO SECURE WORK VISA (Z-VISA) The People Republic of China welcomes foreigners to work in China as long as is proven that the individual can complete the job better than a local would be able to. GENERAL PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS In order to be issued a Z-visa an individual needs to be considered an expert in their particular field. For example: Ample unique experience in a given field, professional accreditation, or specific skills A master s degree, quantifiable work experience in a specific field, specific technical knowledge. A requirement for a native English speaker TEACHING REQUIREMENTS In order to work as an English teacher in China, one must have the following qualifications: Teaching English as a foreign language certificate (TEFL) University degree Relevant professional work experience Be advised that work requirements and procedures differ by city and legal entity. Please consult our detailed city guidelines to follow for specific visa information in each major locale. 12

15 CITY GUIDE TO GETTING LEGAL SHANGHAI BEIJING GUANGZHOU SHENZHEN 13

16 SHANGHAI VISA PROCESS PRE-DEPARTURE TO CHINA STEP 1: SEND DETAILS TO EF ENGLISH FIRST Please ensure that you have sent EF English First the following documents: Your degree certificate Your TEFL certificate A letter of reference from a previous employer Your passport copy Once we have these documents our visa officer will be able to apply for your work permit and invitation letter. These documents will be sent to you as soon as they have been issued to us. STEP 2: MEDICAL CHECK Please contact your local embassy to find out if a medical check is required in your home country. If a medical check is required before your Z-visa can be issued, you will need to ask embassy officials for the correct forms to be filled out by medical professions. In addition, please secure a list of accepted medical facilities where you can receive your medical. You should arrange this as soon as possible after accepting the position. STEP 3: APPLY FOR Z-VISA AT CHINESE EMBASSY With these documents, please go to the Chinese Embassy near you to apply for a Z visa which will be valid for 30 days after your arrival in China. Please apply to fast track your visa and keep all relevant receipts. STEP 4: RECEIVE Z-VISA Return to Chinese Embassy to retrieve your Z-visa. Once a copy of this Z visa has been issued and placed in your passport, you are ready to come to China! Please be sure to keep all receipts for visa costs/medical checks so that you can be reimbursed upon your arrival. 14

17 SHANGHAI VISA PROCESS POST ARRIVAL TO CHINA STEP 1: REGISTER WITH POLICE (PSB) Once you have arrived in China you will need to register with the police within hours. If you are staying at a hotel, this will be done on your behalf and you will be issued with a yellow/pink registration form. Should you be staying in your own accommodation, you will need to take a copy of your lease, previous temporary residency form (pink slip), and passport to your local police station to register yourself. STEP 2: MEDICAL CHECK About a week after your arrival, EF English First will organize your medical check. You will need to secure 8 passport photos (2 inch) prior to going for the medical exam. At this time you will need to hand your passport in the visa officers. STEP 3: APPLY FOR FOREIGN EXPERT / WORK CERTIFICATE Once you have your medical clearance, our visa officer will apply for your work certificate (also called foreigner expert certificate ). By this time you will have signed your contract, also to be handed in as a means of obtaining this certificate. STEP 4: APPLY FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT Finally, the documents referred to in Step 1 will be used in order to apply for your residence permit which will be valid for a year. In total, your passport should be with our visa officer for a period of about 3 weeks depending on how busy the visa offices are. Please note: If you stay one year with EF English First, one month before the termination of your contract, you should hand your passport to our visa officer so that they can cancel your work permit and residence permit visa. This process will take about 2 weeks. If you don t hand your passport on time, this process will not be completed, and will reflect negatively on your record in China PSB System. 15

18 BEIJING VISA PROCESS PRE-DEPARTURE TO CHINA STEP 1: SEND DETAILS TO EF ENGLISH FIRST Please ensure that you have sent EF English First the following documents: Your degree certificate Your TEFL certificate A letter of reference from a previous employer Your passport Copy of signed (Chinese language) employment contract Once we have these documents our visa officer will be able to apply for your work permit and invitation letter. These documents will be sent to you as soon as they have been issued to us. STEP 2: MEDICAL CHECK Please contact your local embassy to find out if a medical check is required in your home country. If a medical check is required before your Z-visa can be issued, you will need to ask embassy officials for the correct forms to be filled out by medical professions. In addition, please secure a list of accepted medical facilities where you can receive your medical. You should arrange this as soon as possible after accepting the position. STEP 3: APPLY FOR Z-VISA AT CHINESE EMBASSY With the documents referred to in Step 1, please go to the Chinese Embassy near you to apply for a Z visa which will be valid for 30 days after your arrival in China. Please apply to fast track your visa and keep all relevant receipts. STEP 4: RECEIVE Z-VISA Return to Chinese Embassy to retrieve your Z-visa. Once a copy of this Z visa has been issued and placed in your passport, you are ready to come to China! Please be sure to keep all receipts for visa costs/medical checks so that you can be reimbursed upon your arrival. 16

19 BEIJING VISA PROCESS POST ARRIVAL TO CHINA STEP 1: REGISTER WITH POLICE (PSB) Once you have arrived in China you will need to register with the police within hours. If you are staying at a hotel, this will be done on your behalf and you will be issued with a yellow/pink registration form. Should you be staying in your own accommodation, you will need to take a copy of your lease and passport to your local police station to register yourself. STEP 2: PASSPORT PHOTOS Please have ready 8 x 2 inch sized photos. These will be needed for the application of your residence permit and the completion of your medical check. STEP 3: MEDICAL CHECK About a week after your arrival, EF English First will organize your medical check. At this time you will need to hand your passport in to our visa officers. STEP 4: APPLY FOR FOREIGN EXPERT OR WORK CERTIFICATE Once you have your medical clearance, our visa officer will apply for your work certificate (also called foreigner expert certificate ). By this time you will have signed your contract, also to be handed in as a means of obtaining this certificate. STEP 5: APPLY FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT Finally, these documents will be used in order to apply for your residence permit which will be valid for a year. In total, your passport should be with our visa officer for a period of about 3 weeks depending on how busy the visa offices are. Please note: If you stay one year with EF English First, one month before the termination of your contract, you should hand your passport to our visa officer so that they can cancel your work permit and residence permit visa. This process will take about 2 weeks. If you don t hand your passport on time, this process will not be completed, and will reflect negatively on your record in China PSB System. 17

20 GUANGZHOU VISA PROCESS PRE-DEPARTURE TO CHINA STEP 1: SEND DETAILS TO EF ENGLISH FIRST Please ensure that you have sent EF English First the following documents: Your CV documentation Your degree certificate Your TEFL certificate A letter of reference from a previous employer Your passport Once we have these documents our visa officer will be able to apply for your work permit and invitation letter. These documents will be sent to you as soon as they have been issued to us. STEP 2: MEDICAL CHECK Please contact your local embassy to find out if a medical check is required in your home country. If a medical check is required before your Z-visa can be issued, you will need to ask embassy officials for the correct forms to be filled out by medical professions. In addition, please secure a list of accepted medical facilities where you can receive your medical. You should arrange this as soon as possible after accepting the position. STEP 3: APPLY FOR Z-VISA AT CHINESE EMBASSY With these documents, please go to the Chinese Embassy near you to apply for a Z visa which will be valid for 30 days after your arrival in China. Please apply to fast track your visa and keep all relevant receipts. STEP 4: RECEIVE Z-VISA Return to Chinese Embassy to retrieve your Z-visa. Once a copy of this Z visa has been issued and placed in your passport, you are ready to come to China! Please be sure to keep all receipts for visa costs/medical checks so that you can be reimbursed upon your arrival. 18

21 GUANGZHOU VISA PROCESS POST ARRIVAL TO CHINA STEP 1: PASSPORT TO VISA OFFICER / SIGN CONTRACT When you arrive in China, please hand your passport in to our visa officer to have photocopies made. You will then need to sign your contract. STEP 2: MEDICAL CHECK About three days after your arrival, EF English First will organize your medical check. Our visa officer will help you to prepare the related documentation for this medical check. Please bring your original passport with you when you go to hospital when completing your medical check. STEP 3: FIND APARTMENT EF English First s real estate agent will help you to look for apartment and sign a lease agreement within one week of your arrival. You will then need to take your lease and passport to your local police station to register and get a Temporary Residence Permit. STEP 4 REGISTER WITH POLICE (PSB) After you have secured an apartment, your visa officer will then need to take your lease, passport and landlord s information to your local police station to register and get a Temporary Residence Permit. STEP 5: APPLY FOR FOREIGN EXPERT OR WORK CERTIFICATE Once you have your medical clearance and temporary residence permit, our visa officer will apply for your work certificate (also called foreigner expert certificate ). By this time you will have signed your contract, also to be handed in as a means of obtaining this certificate. STEP 6: APPLY FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT Finally, these documents will be used in order to apply for your residence permit which will be valid for a year. In total, your passport should be with our visa officer for a period of about 3 weeks depending on how busy the visa offices are. Please note: If you stay one year with EF English First, one month before the termination of your contract, you should hand your passport to our visa officer so that they can cancel your work permit and residence permit visa. This process will take about 2 weeks. If you don t hand your passport on time, this process will not be completed, and will reflect negatively on your record in China PSB System. 19

22 SHENZHEN VISA PROCESS PRE-DEPARTURE TO CHINA STEP 1: SEND DETAILS TO EF ENGLISH FIRST Please ensure that you have sent EF English First the following documents: Your CV documentation Your degree certificate Your TEFL certificate A letter of reference from a previous employer Your passport Medical check result or a doctor s letter Once we have these documents our visa officer will be able to apply for your work permit and invitation letter. These documents will be sent to you as soon as they have been issued to us. STEP 2: MEDICAL CHECK Please contact your local embassy to find out if a medical check is required in your home country. If a medical check is required before your Z-visa can be issued, you will need to ask embassy officials for the correct forms to be filled out by medical professions. In addition, please secure a list of accepted medical facilities where you can receive your medical. You should arrange this as soon as possible after accepting the position. STEP 3: APPLY FOR Z-VISA AT CHINESE EMBASSY With these documents, please go to the Chinese Embassy near you to apply for a Z visa which will be valid for 30 days after your arrival in China. Please apply to fast track your visa and keep all relevant receipts. STEP 4: RECEIVE Z-VISA Return to Chinese Embassy to retrieve your Z-visa. Once a copy of this Z visa has been issued and placed in your passport, you are ready to come to China! Please be sure to keep all receipts for visa costs/medical checks so that you can be reimbursed upon your arrival. 20

23 SHENZHEN VISA PROCESS POST ARRIVAL TO CHINA STEP 1: PASSPORT TO VISA OFFICER / SIGN CONTRACT When you arrive in China, please hand your passport in to our visa officer to have photocopies made. You will then need to sign your contract. STEP 2: MEDICAL CHECK About three days after your arrival, EF English First will organize your medical check. Our visa officer will help you to prepare the related documentation for this medical check. Please bring your original passport with you when you go to hospital when completing your medical check. STEP 3 REGISTER WITH POLICE (PSB) After you have secured an apartment, you will then need to take your lease, passport and landlord s information to EF English First visa officer. Our visa officer will go to your local police station to register and get a Temporary Residence Permit for you. STEP 4: APPLY FOR FOREIGN EXPERT OR WORK CERTIFICATE Once you have your medical clearance and temporary residence permit, our visa officer will apply for your work certificate (also called foreigner expert certificate ). By this time you will have signed your contract, also to be handed in as a means of obtaining this certificate. STEP 5: INTERVIEW WITH PSB After you get your foreigner expert certificate, please go with our visa officer to district PSB for an interview. Your visa officer will inform you of the procedure and what sorts of questions to expect. As always, courtesy and a healthy level of respect should be given to government officials. STEP 6: APPLY FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT Finally, these documents will be used in order to apply for your residence permit which will be valid for a year. In total, your passport should be with our visa officer for a period of about 3 weeks depending on how busy the visa offices are. Please note: If you stay one year with EF English First, one month before the termination of your contract, you should hand your passport to our visa officer so that they can cancel your work permit and residence permit visa. This process will take about 2 weeks. If you don t hand your passport on time, this process will not be completed, and will reflect negatively on your record in China PSB System. 21

24 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VISA PROCESS 1. Q: Why does your employer hold onto your red book (Foreign Expert/ Work Certificate?) A: Your Foreign Expert/ Work Certificate (or Red book as it is sometimes referred to) is your official right to work in China. Chinese officials routinely conduct spontaneous checks of employers and require that the Foreign Expert/ Work Certificate be produced on demand for all foreign employees. Because employees may be out of the office when the PSB comes, and your Foreign Expert/ Work Certificate could be elsewhere besides on your person, many employers opt to hold this document on your behalf. You are given a photocopy of this document along with a letter saying that your employer holds the original. This effort is to assure that each employee s legality is safe when and if the PSB come to your employer. 2. Q: Why is it necessary to hand in your passport to the visa officer? For how long? A: When you arrive in China, it will be necessary to walk through the visa procedures of your specific city. Your visa officer will need to collect your passport from you in order to secure your residence permit and Foreign Expert/ Work Certificate. Please understand this is a normal procedure and your passport will be in good hands. Processing your permits should take about 3 weeks. Your visa officer will contact you as soon as he/she receives your passport back. During the time that your passport is being processed, you will not be able to leave the country. 3. Q: What is the visa procedure for my spouse and child? A: The spouse and children of the Z-visa applicant who will accompany you to China are required to submit a copy of the certificate of relationship (marriage certificate for spouse and birth certificate for children). Employment is not allowed for accompanying family members of the Z- visa holder. 4. Q: What if I am a foreign-native Chinese? A: Foreign native Chinese who apply for a Chinese visa with his/her first foreign passport is required to submit his or her previously owned Chinese passport and foreign country neutralization certificate. 5. Q: How long is my Z-visa valid without a residence permit? 22

25 A: The Z-visa is generally good for 3 months and is only a single entry visa. Applicants should apply for a residence permit at the local county level Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 30 days of entering the country. In order to leave the country, a re-entry permit must be obtained. If you fail to do so, you will have to apply for a new Chinese visa before attempting to re-enter the country. 6. Q: What is involved in the medical check? A: The medical exam includes general height and weight check, chest exray, vision check and HIV test. This exam can be done in any public or private hospital. After the exam, you will receive a physical examination certificate which will be valid for a period of 6 months from the time it is issued. 7. Q: How do I know when my medical check will occur? A: Your EF English First visa officers will take care of booking the medical check on your behalf. Because this health examination is required for your visa, you must go to a government medical center for this checkup. Once the time is arranged, your visa officer will inform your DoS of the time. An EF English First member will accompany you to the health check. 8. Q: How much will I need to pay out of pocket for my visa expenses? Will I be reimbursed? A: The price of your Z-visa will vary depending on your nationality. In general, it can range between the equivalent of $30-$150 USD. Please keep all receipts and EF English First will reimburse you for this expense after you have arrived on the ground in China. After arrival in China, EF English First will take care of the visa and related expenses on your behalf. This includes expenses for the medical check, residence permit and foreign work certificate. You will be responsible for purchasing passport photos if required. 23

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