[adahc]

I just got a job offer in Shanghai. I accepted it then the company told me to find out here in HK if I need to go back to the UK to get my work visa from there. I've been working in HK for 19 months.
I think it shouldn't be a problem to get a work visa for Shanghai if I already worked in HK.
Do I need to go back to the UK for my work visa? If so shouldn't the new company pay for it?
Annyone knows? Please let me know. I'm quite desparate here, the night is too long to wait till the Immigration dept. to open tomorrow.

[juergenw]

1) If you have worked in HK or not is not important and has nothing to do with a CHINA work visa.
2) Applying a correct working visa for Shanghai this must be done in Shanghai together with the application for your residence permit.
3) This also includes some work from your employer - they need to provide all the company registration proof + your contract and an explanation of your job duties etc.
4) Best is to do this through FESCO in Shanghai
.......:[EFESCO]:........
5) And you also must make a health check there in Shanghai.
6) This all takes around 6 weeks until all procedures is finished.
7) It is the duty of your employer to take care of this - and if they do not know about this better be careful and make sure everything is correct and legal with your new company.

[adahc]

Are you sure? So I don't need to go back to the UK? It's all can be done in SH?

[adahc]

Can someone help please???

[mjk]

I am going through the same thing at the moment.

I was explained (by Fesco by the way) that there are several steps to follow, and that you can not do everything in Shanghai. After point 3) mentioned by juergenw above, you have to do the medical in Shanghai and then still come back here for some paperwork. Not sure if its true, but this is what they told me.

BUT, I was also told that you can only do this paperwork here, if you are a resident of HK (which you are when you are a currently working here legally).
My Australian colleague for example has to fly back to Australia because she is not allowed to do this one step in HK, which was her initial plan. She just tried her luck here 2 weeks ago and was rejected as she has no HK ID.

Anyway, it is all rather complex. I can PM you a step by step guide tomorrow morning, which I received from FESCO a week ago.

[mjk]

Just found the document and sent over. Check your PM.

[juergenw]

Originally Posted by mjk

I am going through the same thing at the moment.

I was explained (by Fesco by the way) that there are several steps to follow, and that you can not do everything in Shanghai. After point 3) mentioned by juergenw above, you have to do the medical in Shanghai and then still come back here for some paperwork. Not sure if its true, but this is what they told me.

BUT, I was also told that you can only do this paperwork here, if you are a resident of HK (which you are when you are a currently working here legally).
My Australian colleague for example has to fly back to Australia because she is not allowed to do this one step in HK, which was her initial plan. She just tried her luck here 2 weeks ago and was rejected as she has no HK ID.

Anyway, it is all rather complex. I can PM you a step by step guide tomorrow morning, which I received from FESCO a week ago.

I did this 2 times in Shanghai alrdy the last 10 years and this was ALL done in Shanghai directly .....most important you get all the docs needed by your employer !!! But maybe they heve changed something esp now because of this new VISA regulations ..this I do not know. But when I did it in 2002 + 2004 - no problem at all.
With Fesco very easy and they are very good and helpful.

[adahc]

thanks all. I think what I need clarification on is not the visa process itself but rather if i can get a china Z visa in todays Olympic climate. Can a brit with a HK working visa still get a Z visa as usual does anyone know?

[juergenw]

Originally Posted by adahc

thanks all. I think what I need clarification on is not the visa process itself but rather if i can get a china Z visa in todays Olympic climate. Can a brit with a HK working visa still get a Z visa as usual does anyone know?

Your Hong Kong work visa has not any positive or negative influence on a China work visa. It has no meaning at all for a CHINA Z VISA.
Normally if you fulfill all requirements it should be no problem to get the Z visa - best is once you in Shanghai talk with your employer and ask him to make sure everything goes the correct way use FESCO service

[leghk]

Originally Posted by juergenw

Your Hong Kong work visa has not any positive or negative influence on a China work visa. It has no meaning at all for a CHINA Z VISA.
Normally if you fulfill all requirements it should be no problem to get the Z visa - best is once you in Shanghai talk with your employer and ask him to make sure everything goes the correct way use FESCO service

A Hong Kong work visa is important if you want to apply for the china work visa in Hong Kong. Without one, means a trip back to your home country.