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Q: Can I enter China on my Z visa 2-4 weeks BEFORE my contract actually starts.
10 years 21 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
Actually I want to enter China and get my residence permit around January 10 and my work starts February 20th
Is it a 3 month Z visa, no problem!? If not and only 1 month then that isn't a good idea!!! You have to calculate how long until your school starts the resident permit application process.. The school might need more time to prepare all documents, health checks and more within China.
To be honest this isn't a question that you should be asking us, this a 100% question that you should ask your HR or whoever got you that Z visa. Your question is almost like asking mom and dad if you can hold their hands while crossing the street...
Once the "Z" visa is issued to you, I have no idea f you know that you can not still work legally once you enter China. Or that the "Z" visa will expire 30 days after you enter China.
Many will tell you that it is OK to start working the day after you arrive, but if caught by Police, you will suffer the consequences.
After you arrive in China and before you start your employment, you have 30 days to do a bunch of things. Your employer will provide some documentation required, but it is you who must do most of the leg work. It will not be lioke you will sit in your apartment, and your employer will gather all required permits for you.
And so you know what you will face, below are some of them :
- If not already done, must get your FEC (Foreign Expert Certificate).
- Must go to PSB to get your Residence Permit (this will take over and work as a visa once your Z expires).
- Must go to Labor Bureau and get your Work Permit.
- At PSB you will be told where to go locally and get your physical for your Health Certificate. And that takes at least 2 weeks from getting the physical done to getting the results.
- Go to the closest local Police Station to where you will live and apply for your Certificate of local Address or which ever way is being called now days.
Above list is not in order, some most be done first before others can be done.
So, if you dislike to take chances, it may not be such a bad idea to come into China a few weeks before classes start to get all of these things accomplished. And to me there is another reason. All above documentation and permits are legally YOURS, but many employers in China do like to keep them for whatever reason (safekeeping, in case Police visit school, etc). But in reality, it is for controlling you if you do not dance each time they play music. So, my advice is "you keep the originals, give them only copies" and that includes also your passport.
Good luck to you!.
ironman510:
I think he's just a guy excited to work in China, he didn't say anything about starting to work, ok.. He probably just wants to do apartment hunting and get to know his city that he'll be staying in.. HappyExpat, don't take this too hard but you sound like you've been traumatized in China... Your long story message says it all.. Take a chill pill bro... Randy was only asking if he can enter China now, rather then later. Randy, like Iron-monkey and I said contact your employer for the best advice.. While HappyExpat has good advice and details, no one is accusing you of going to china to work on a Z visa, let your company lead the way.
HappyExPat:
Ironman: No, I am not traumatized, nor I do need a chill pill. But I have seen many foreigners do come to China and start working the next day, without even an FEC or a work permit. End up being caught working without proper documentation and expired Z visa, and deported.
Makes no difference to come the day before you start to work, or two weeks prior as long as you do no start to work until you get all proper documents . That shows "respect" for local regulations, and does not contribute at all to make life harder for those of all that plan to be here for the long run.
andyinshenyang:
From taking my physical to getting my results only took a couple of days in my case, not a couple of weeks. I imagine a lot of stuff depends on where the OP is going to be based, how many foreigners that area deals with and how strictly they apply guidelines.
Better to be safe than sorry though!
Not a good idea unless your employer approves your plan. Remember even if you don't tell your employer, they will see your entry date stamp into China on your passport when you show up for your first day of work, and they might have some questions. Fantastic start to a short career in China.
I personally don't see anything wrong with coming a little early and settling down before starting to work and I doubt your employer would either. It is reasonable to do such and don't let people scare you off. However as was pointed out you are going to need to start the ball rolling on converting to a residence permit as soon as you enter so you will need to still report to work in order to get that taken care of. It shouldn't be a problem but better contact them to be sure.
you might be excited about getting to China, but you will be entering the country at Spring Festival time. Everywhere will be shut. Best if you enter China a few days before your contract starts so you can acclimatize, get over any jet-lag and become familiar with your new surroundings, open a bank account. Let your school know your plans as they will have to organize things like the health check and registration
ironman510:
Sorrel is correct, it maybe Nov, 23rd today but I can find my car a parking place at 9:00PM at night, do you know what that means? In Shenzhen all these rich families have already started to go some where or shut their company for a while.
So You better get a move on and started the conversion from Z to RP. Call that crazy company of yours.
Sure you can. However, I dont think it would be wise for anybody who is getting their first time work permit in China to enter China until the company has successfully paid for and help them get the Z visa in their home country. The companies should also be willing to pay for all the visa costs including flight to China upfront, or forget it!
Actually, contrary to the much of the above, you can.
Your new Z visa will have a "window of entry" to it. You can enter the PRC from this date until that date. Just check the visa. There used to be a sixty day window but I do not know under the new rules.
Your new employer will learn that you have entered, one way or the other. These days, the train computers, the plane computers, the PSB computer, the FEC computer are all interrelated in terms of tracking the laowai.
