March 6, 2014
Hey everybody,
So here's the next phase of my process of getting to China ... I can not say my experience with the paperwork will be the same as everyone else, but this is what happened for me. After accepting the job with the school I began to correspond with the director, the human resources department, and the school counselor who posted the job on the ASCA Scene website.
The first thing I was given was a free subscription to Rosetta Stone to begin learning the Mandarin language. LET ME SAY THAT MANDARIN IS HARD AS HELL !!!!!! But I thought it was great that they sent me the subscription. Immediately, I began my lessons on Rosetta Stone, like a lioness I pounced on my computer after work to begin learning. I found that some words and sounds in Mandarin are very similar and I did not want to jack myself up by learning them incorrectly, so I paused my lessons until I get to China.
Next Thing I got from the HR was the physical form, the Image Below is What Looks like the form. You CAN download the Chinese Physical Examination Form right here. My Doctor Filled it out on 3/6/14 and I scanned the document and emailed it back to the HR department.
Next the document was a Chinese Version of my Contract Which needed my Signature. That was Signed Also, scanned and emailed. That For Those of you do not have a Personal Scanner at home there's a really great app Called Genius Scan , get it Because it really saves lives. I also needed to send them copies of my New York State school counselor certification and my degree, these were needed to apply for the work permit.
Once I sent this off to the human resources department it was pretty much a waiting game. What was I waiting for in particular? I had to wait for my Chinese school to apply for my the work permit and invitation letter that would allow me to apply for the Z-Visa. The Z-Visa only allows you a single entry into China. Once you get there you will have about 30 days to apply for residency at a local police station.
Fast Forward: 7/9/2014
I Received the Work permit and Invitation Letter on 6/15/14 and Began to Complete the Chinese Z-Visa Application . Please be Sure to 1) Type your Responses on the Computer in CAPITAL LETTERS ENGLISH, then Print off the Application. 2) Attach a 2x2 passport size photo with a white background to your visa application. 3) Make a photo copy of the page in your passport with your information and photo, 4) and bring the actual passport.
Once you have done all of this you will take all of your documents (work permit, invitation letter, photo, Z-Visa application, copy of passport page, and passport) and bring it down to the Chinese consulate. Now, I figured it would get crowded at the consulate in Manhattan so I left my house around 9 am and got to the consulate at 10:00 am. I spent roughly 30 minutes before they called my number and I handed them my documents. I did not take the rush option where it would have taken 1-2 days, so I was told to come back on 7/9/14. They gave me a receipt which indicated payment must be received upon pick up.
On 7/9/14 I headed back to the consulate to pick up my documents. I must have spent 6 minutes in total in the place ... like seriously. Again, God is good! I walked in, took a number, then walked over to take a seat. Before my behind touched the seat they called my number! :) I went to the window and handed my receipt and paid $ 140.00 and was given back my passport with my newly attached visa.
Check out my short video below about the Z-Visa process and what the documents look like.
