Getting Abroad: Avoiding a Document Debacle

(Visa)

Getting a job offer is only half the battle.

After you’ve decided on what type of school you want to work for, where you’d like to relocate, and which contract to sign, the real fun begins: You’ll need to get started on securing a Z-visa (commonly called a work visa). Before you apply for your work visa, you’ll need to acquire a notification letter of foreigner’s work permit. This process can be complicated, and there are a lot of different steps, depending on your situation. Some of your documents will need to be notarized and authenticated. In this article, we’ll go through everything a professional from the USA, travelling alone, will need to do to acquire the materials for a visa application. Although your specific situation may be different depending on where you’re from or who you’re relocating with, much of the process will be similar.

Step 1: Get a criminal background check, degree, and medical check.

To start the process, you will need to get a criminal background check from your local police station. This can be a county sheriff or the police department in your city. Essentially, you need an official document stating that you do not have any criminal charges on your record. It should be signed by an official, and you’ll need the physical copy.

Getting a background check is rather easy and fortunately the Chinese government will accept one from a local police station. Some countries, such as South Korea, require an official document from the FBI, which can take longer to acquire. Most police departments can provide a background check on the spot, but it’s a good idea to call ahead and make sure that an official with signing authority is present.

Second, you’ll need a copy of your degree from your university. A copy of your transcripts, whether they are official or unofficial, will not suffice. You can order one of these from your university for $15-20. They can take up to a few weeks for your university to process your order and send it out, so be sure to get this document ordered as early as possible.

Lastly, depending on what your employer requires, you may need to get a health check done in your home country. This document will be provided by the employer and it will look like this:

Be sure to tell your physician to fill out this form as completely as possible. You do not want there to be any confusion about the condition of your health. Once you arrive in China, you’ll have another medical check done at a local clinic.

Step 2: Notarize and authenticate your criminal background check and degree.

Now that you have your documents, you need to have them stamped by the proper authorities. Find a notary public and have your criminal background check and degree notarized. You can generally find a notary service at a bank, a post office, or a shipping store (FedEx, UPS, etc.). After you’ve notarized your documents, you’ll need to have them authenticated by the secretary of state. Most state governments have the option of authenticating your documents by mail. When you send your documents, be sure to include everything that’s required (an application, an authentication fee, and the documents you wish to have authenticated). You could also choose to drop them off in person, if that’s convenient for you.

Once you get your authenticated documents, you’ll need to get started on having your documents authenticated by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate that holds consular jurisdiction over the state where the document is certified. Click here for information on which Embassy/Consulate you should send your documents to if you are a resident of the USA.

There are various visa service agencies out there who can help you submit these documents for authentication by the Chinese consulate or embassy, but there is a chance that the consular officials will require you to complete part of this application for authentication in person. To submit this application, you’ll need your documents, an authentication application form, a passport photo, and the required fees. You often have the option to expedite this service at an added cost.

Step 3: Get your Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit.

After the embassy has returned your authenticated documents, you’re ready to ship them to your employer. Pack up your degree, criminal background check, and completed medical form and take them to a courier to be delivered. I highly advise that you pay a little extra for package tracking. When your package arrives at your employer, they’ll bring your materials to the local officials and apply for your Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit. This process can take a couple of weeks. Once the letter is issued, your employer will send you a digital copy.

This Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit is an essential part of your visa application. You can now use this letter, your passport, a passport photo, and your completed visa application form to apply for a Z-visa at the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate. You might be able to do this via mail or they might require you to appear in person, so check in advance. In either case, there’s definitely an application fee.

And there you have it! If all goes according to plan, you’ll receive your passport with a brand-new work visa stamped on one of its pages. You are now ready to head to China and apply for your foreign worker’s permit with your new employer. When you arrive, as I stated before, you will also need to have a medical check done and check in with the local police station at a special clinic which specifically completes health checks.

If you have any questions about visa applications, please let us know!

（By: Ted Salonek）