Never before have I understood when people say it's "hard" to get into another country. I've had my fair share of luck going places I probably shouldn't have. From Egypt in the midst of a violent revolution to Greece, torn apart and rioting a massive debt-crisis, to a number of countries riddled with poverty, violence, and more, I have played witness to history, and easily so, considering my visa applications have never been more complicated than filling out some paperwork, paying a fee, and providing a copy of my passport. Perhaps my American passport has done me some favors, or perhaps the process generally isn't complicated. Though I have been stared down, questioned, and nervous throughout the process never before have I been given so many hoops to jump through.
China is know for having one of the more complicated visa applications in the world, but I've already been through the process three times before with no problems. This time, not so much. For our program, we have to go through the visa application twice this year, applying for one for the summer, and then another once we actually begin working in the fall. I mailed off my first visa application, thinking this was the easy part. Unfortunately, the San Francisco consulate thought otherwise. Apparently the strictest consulate in the United States, I quickly found that they have recently begun requiring additional company stamps and signatures on all of their paperwork. Never-mind these requirements being written anywhere, my conversation with San Francisco went something like this: "Yes, these are new requirements... no we have not published information on them...no, you still need to meet the new requirements if you want a visa." Lucky for me I have a great and supportive team from Teach For China working on my side, (shout-out to Tom!) as well as a helpful visa agency.
As for the visa I will need once I begin teaching--I have never seen a more complicated list! I know that this visa is for me to become a resident of China, and I also know that the U.S. requires the same of Chinese citizens coming here, but man, is it extensive! The requirements include an English copy and a translated Chinese copy of a résumé, a background check, copies of my diplomas, the application, a thorough medical exam that includes a blood test, EKG chest, and X-Rays, and more. That being said, everything in life that is worth anything requires hard-work, and traveling certainly is no different. I knew the beginning of this adventure would be filled with stacks of paperwork, but who knew the paperwork itself would be such an adventure?
China is know for having one of the more complicated visa applications in the world, but I've already been through the process three times before with no problems. This time, not so much. For our program, we have to go through the visa application twice this year, applying for one for the summer, and then another once we actually begin working in the fall. I mailed off my first visa application, thinking this was the easy part. Unfortunately, the San Francisco consulate thought otherwise. Apparently the strictest consulate in the United States, I quickly found that they have recently begun requiring additional company stamps and signatures on all of their paperwork. Never-mind these requirements being written anywhere, my conversation with San Francisco went something like this: "Yes, these are new requirements... no we have not published information on them...no, you still need to meet the new requirements if you want a visa." Lucky for me I have a great and supportive team from Teach For China working on my side, (shout-out to Tom!) as well as a helpful visa agency.
As for the visa I will need once I begin teaching--I have never seen a more complicated list! I know that this visa is for me to become a resident of China, and I also know that the U.S. requires the same of Chinese citizens coming here, but man, is it extensive! The requirements include an English copy and a translated Chinese copy of a résumé, a background check, copies of my diplomas, the application, a thorough medical exam that includes a blood test, EKG chest, and X-Rays, and more. That being said, everything in life that is worth anything requires hard-work, and traveling certainly is no different. I knew the beginning of this adventure would be filled with stacks of paperwork, but who knew the paperwork itself would be such an adventure?