Ask Headmaster Ken

Can I apply for my Z-visa in the Philippines if my invitation letter states the Philippines? The reason is because my wife and two kids have Filipino passports and I want to bring them to China with me. I have a U.S. passport.

If I can't, would it be possible to do it in Hong Kong? We have the NSO marriage certificate, birth certificates, and passports with the same last name on them.

I will be signing the letter of understanding with my employer tomorrow. I need to let him know Honk Kong or the Philippines. I could not find information on an American that has applied for the Z-visa in the Philippines.

You can apply from any country that has a Chinese Embassy as long as:

1. Your Invitation letter specifies that country.

2. Local/Provincial authorities have no issues with it, (this is only in rare cases).

Thanks. I'm going to have my employer issue the invitation letter with the Philippines on it. I will update the thread after I get the invitation letter.

I will receive my letter of invitation early next week. I did get the school to issue the letter with the country Philippines.

I will update this post after I get the visa.

Ken,

The school sent me the invitation letter but not the work permit. Do I need both documents to apply for my Z visa in the Philippines?

Thanks.

The "Invitation Letter" really is the work permit. You should have an official document with a red serial number printed on heavy bond paper with blue print all over it. If you look carefully, the top pf the document should be finely perforated.

In the middle of the document should be a white square with Chinese handwriting in it stating the country you are to process the document.

Ken

The document that I have says at the top: "Please apply forthwith for visa at the Chinese Embassy. Consulate Visa Office... " It does have a number in red at the top right corner.

It has one red seal at the bottom right. Plus a blue stamp at the bottom left.

The document that I'm missing says:

The State Administration of Foreign Experts P.R.C. request that foreign expert presents this Work Permit, along with the invitation letter to his/her Z-visa processed at the nearest Chinese Embassy.

A big red stamp below the above and blue writing next to it on the left. Then it has my name and passport number. At the bottom a big red stamp.

I did talk with them today. They said it does state the Philippines on one of the documents in Chinese. But I could not find it.

I think I need both of the documents. The school sent the 2nd document to me today. I should get it by Monday.

It sounds like you have your visa documents nearly sorted. Now, you'll need to have your family's visas done too.

Understand, dependent visas are often paid for by the employee unless otherwise agreed.

Please stop by and visit our site again when you are in China.

Ken