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Q: Getting a Z Visa in China
Hi everyone,
I am currently Volunteering at a high school in Yantai and am now looking at getting full time paid work. I 'm currently on a F Visa and have been told that I might need to go back to Australia to apply for a Z Visa as it cant be done here in China. Is this true? Has anyone changed their visa while in China?
Thanks in advance!
9 years 10 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
You can't get Z visa in China, doesn't matter what is your current Chinese visa.
You can get Z visa only at the Chinese Embassy, either in your home country or HK, if you're lucky.
Tell your school to write on Invitation letter 'Z visa pick-up in Hong Kong'. If ILetter is approved by SAFEA (Foreign Expert Bureau), you'll be able to get Z in Chinese Embassy in HK.
Icnif is correct, you cannot get a Z visa in China under any circumstances. The employer might be able to apply for pick up in HK or Korea but likely you will need to return to your country. The invitation letter will specify where the visa can be picked up but it is impossible to do so in Mainland China.
That is a shame but since I love China, this expensive process wont make me change my mind!. Thanks for your help 
icnif77:
If it's your first time to get Z, SAFEA will probably require you return home, but ....you can tell school to ask for HK or any closer Embassy Z pick-up.
You're looking in some 3 weeks stay out of China (HK), what depends on the school's efficiency to process Working Permit and ILetter from SAFEA. Both documents in original are required for Z at Chinese Embassy.
I think it depends on the school and also the local jurisdiction. I arrived on an M visa, and I now have the one year resident permit to work, and never had to even go to Hong Kong. This was done last year, and I have Australian passport.
icnif77:
You have RPermit for work?
http://www.visainchina.com/china_work_visa.htm
If you are the Employee of the company, if you hold a L, F, or X visa now and want to apply for the working permit (Alien Employment Permit) and residence permit, you have to apply the work license (Alien Employment License) and visa notice (Z working visa invitation letter) first, then leave the country to get an Z visa and back, then you can apply the work permit (Alien Employment Permit) and residence permit.
dokken:
Yup I never left either. If you know people that can do it. See I wasn't lying.
walkabout:
And I did all visa processing within China. There are no set rules
icnif77:
1. Enter 'SAFEA' in search above for address and contact no. (anywhere) in China.
2. Dial chosen no., and 'see you're lying'!
Unless you post web link, which will prove your statements are true, you're telling rumors in the 'nicest' English I can........Even if you post snap shot of your Z, does't mean you got it in China. However, by the no. of your Z, I believe I would be able to get right info through SAFEA.
What I think,'.......two (or one) bozos are telling lies on the free Board.'
'add-it':' try Dave's ESL Cafe with the same statement, and please, don't forget to update eChina Board with feedback from Dave's.'
See 'set rules' in the post below! What means 'Enter China'?
walkabout:
You are crazy icnif; why would I lie about this? Why would anyone lie about these matters?
I don't know much about China, but I do know that they don't follow rules or procedures as clearly as western countries. It seems you know nothing about China.
icnif77:
You're talking about two different matters! You changed M to RP in China, but it's illegal to work and receive pay on your RP.
OP asked if he can get Z in China. A: 'No!'
Then you showed up, and wrote you get everything done in China! Everything what? Haircut?
Q is about Z visa and RPermit. You can't get Z in China! It's a Chinese Law! read links I posted below.
I'm replying to moronic you, because of the other people are reading this.
walkabout:
I 'showed up' and said that I got everything done in China, that is all. Am not suggesting that others can do the same in other provinces or with other companies. I simply stated my case, to make it clear to the poster that returning to his home country is not the only option.
I don't need to read your links for the rules. i have first hand experience with it, in getting my one year working resident permit.
icnif77:
'......and I now have the one year resident permit to work...' = LIE!
Temporary residence permits are valid for 6-12 months. Generally required for visiting scholars or those entering for job training.
It's against Chinese law to work and receive salary with RP converted from M visa.
I wonder, how Tibet's SAFEA apply to this paragraph.
http://www.foreignercn.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=1312:residenc...
Residence Permits in ChinaLegal Related .jpg)
It is not your visa but your residence permit that gives you the right to live in China. Upon arrival in China, you have 30 days to obtain your residence permit.
Your initial visa grants you the right to enter China for a specific purpose, but expires after a few months. If you wish to stay longer in China, you will need to apply for a residence permit which works like a multiple-entry visa, allowing you to leave the country and return without an additional visa as long as the permit remains valid (even if your original visa has expired).
Types of residence permits
There are three types of residence permits that allow you to live in China:
-
Permanent residence permits (little green booklets) are issued to those holding a D visa and are renewable every 10 years.
-
Temporary residence permits are valid for 6-12 months. Generally required for visiting scholars or those entering for job training.
-
Foreigner Residence Permits are normally valid for one year and are renewable annually. They are the standard residence permits issued to the majority of foreigners working in China.
http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2013/09/24/obtaining-work-visas-and-r...
icnif77:
http://www.expatarrivals.com/china/work-permits-for-china
Once an employment licence is approved and granted, the company requests a Z Visa invitation from their local Foreign Economic and Trade Commission. These are forwarded to the employee, who applies for a Z Visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in their home country. After the employee arrives in China, they need to apply for a work permit at their local labour bureau.
