Z Working Visa - Who Pays?

[signs]

Might sound like a naive question ... but if you've been offered a job and need to get a Z (working) visa, typically who pays for it - you or the company? If you initially paid for it, would you expect to be reimbursed for it by the company, or is it an out-of-pocket expense for you??

What about health examinations required for the visa? I would imagine that the company should be the one taking care of this expense. Can someone confirm?

[simonlaing]

The company usually pays for the visa related fees. (However, almost everything in China is negotiable)

Be careful though about how the company will operate. Often the first visa in your home country fee will be paid by yourself and won't be refunded, though you will need a letter of invitation from the company/school. Once you get to China in the first month the company will generally take your passport or go with you to the police station, fill out the forms with/for you and pay for the one year visa. If you're already in China the company will usually pay for the renewal.

On getting a medical exam I would wait until you get to China for it. Most police stations say the medical exam has to have an official stamp on any medical forms and the Chinese one will be paid for by the company. Usually doctor's physicals don't come with hospital stamps and have to be redone anyway in China. If you're really paranoid about going to a doctor in China, you can try and get a hospital stamp don't be suprised if it is tricky. A trick a couple of us Council exchange students did (since they can't really read the stamp) was to make a fake stamp with penny or other US coin. Color the coin with ink a bit and then just press it on to the paper. Other people pressed the coin on to the paper and then went over the outline with pen. (remember all you need to do is make it look like a stamp.) (being on hospital letter head and signed by a doctor won't hurt either. )

The medical in China seems less comprehensive than the US physicals with only one use of suction cup electrodes and gel to get an ECG and gel for the ultra sound. Oooh that cooling gel. Prepare yourself for it.

On costs when in doubt check with the company, China's a big place and I am sure there are some companies that might put the cost of the visa or other things on the worker.

have fun,

Simon:)

[gougou]

I agree with simon, generally the company will pay, but there are no rules about this - especially small companies might want you to cover the costs yourself.

[roddy]

Yeah, could go either way but usually it's the company's expense. If you are to pay get a list of costs - some companies might use an agency at some point and end up paying more.

If you are the first foreigner a company was employed, it's worthwhile being careful about this - they quite possibly don't know what's involved themselves.

[dumdumdum]

Yeah, could go either way but usually it's the company's expense. If you are to pay get a list of costs - some companies might use an agency at some point and end up paying more.

If you are the first foreigner a company was employed, it's worthwhile being careful about this - they quite possibly don't know what's involved themselves.

company pays usually. and be extra careful when 3rd party agencies involved. i knew a korean guy who used the service of a 3rd party agency, the agency went bankrupt and the boss took the money and disappeared. the korean ended up over-staying cos his documents werent done by the agency at all. and worse part he only realised it when chinese police came looking for him at his place. almost had to serve 2 mths jail before being deported.

[GreenArrow45]

I have not heard of anyone's employer paying for their work visa here. That burden has always been placed on the foreigner from what I know. I guess it just depends on where you are.