Authenticate your documents

Written By Georgina Livermore

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROCESS CHANGES CONSTANTLY & DUE TO COVID19 CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY.

The authentication process seems incredibly long and arduous, however we have broken it down for you so you can see how straightforward it is. Follow this process and you will have the appropriate paperwork to work in China!

The first thing to know is that in almost all countries, your Degree, TEFL and Criminal Background Check will need to be notarised, apostilled and legalized to be approved for your move to China. Here’s how to do this in each native speaking country:

  • Australia

  • Canada

  • Ireland

  • South Africa

  • UK

  • US

 

Australian Citizens

  • Apply for a Criminal Background Check. Find more information here.

  • Your Degree and TEFL need to be notarised by a Public Notary – this can be done in any state.

  • All three documents need to then be authenticated by the Dept of Foreign Affairs – check here.

  • Documents then need to be taken to the Chinese Embassy. Make sure you take them to where you got them notarised.

 

Canadian Citizens

(Please note that your documents must be notarised and authenticated in the same city/region.)

  • Contact your local police station or visit this website to apply for your Criminal Background Check.

  • Arrange to have your Degree, TEFL and Criminal Background Check notarised by a Public Notary, lawyer or Commissioner of Oaths of Canada.

  • Your documents now need to be authenticated by the Authentication and Service of Documents Section of Global Affairs Canada.

  • The documents finally need to be authenticated at a Visa for China Centre. Visit http://visaforchina.org/ to find your most relevant office.

 

Irish Citizens

  • Apply for a Garda Police Certificate.

  • Arrange to have your TEFL, Degree and Garda Police certificate notarised by a Public Notary.

  • Get your documents legalised. You can visit the Cork or Dublin Legalisation Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, or post them. For more info you can find it here.

  • Get your documents legalised via the Chinese Embassy. This needs to be completed in person or through a service you can find online. Visit this website for more information.

 

South African Citizens

  • Apply for a Police Clearance Check from the Government of South Africa. Click here for more information.

  • Your Degree needs to be authenticated by the Department of Higher Education and Training – visit https://www.dhet.gov.za/. Your TEFL may also need to be authenticated, however in some cases notarised by a Public Notary, and then approved by the high court. Check with the job you apply for to confirm.

  • Your Degree, TEFL and Police Check will then need to be legalised by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

  • Once all documents are legalised, you need to have them authenticated by the Chinese Embassy. Take the form you can find here along with your documents to the nearest Consulate or Embassy.

 

UK Citizens

  • Apply for your DBS Background Check.

  • Arrange to have your TEFL, Degree and DBS check notarised. The Notaries Society will help you find your closest Notary.

  • Once you have your documents, go to gov.co.uk and follow instructions on how to get them apostilled.

  • Take your documents to be legalised at the Visa for China Service Centre. There are centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Visit: visaforchina.org For more information and booking appointments.

 

US Citizens

(Please note that your documents must be notarised and authenticated in the same city/region.)

  • Apply for a No Criminal Background Check. Americans can have checks at State or Federal level. Check with employer which one is required. Visit your home state website or contact the Criminal Justice Information Services for more information.

  • Have your Degree, TEFL and Criminal Background Check notarised by a Public Notary in the state they were issued.

  • All documents must now be authenticated. When you submit the documents, notify them that the document will be used in China. Visit this website for more info.

  • Fill in the Application Form of Notarization/Legalisation of the Embassy/Consulate of the People’s Republic of China – you can find it here.

  • This must be submitted to the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate in person or by a nominated agent.

  • Once documents are returned, email photocopies to your school or employer, who can then apply for your Z visa at the Provincial Visa Office. You will then mailed your Invitation Letter approximately 4 weeks later.

  • Once you have received these, you must put in a Z visa application at your nearest Embassy or Consulate. Fill in the Z- visa application form, print it out and take it to your nearest Embassy or Consulate along with your passport, Invitation Letter and any other documents that have been requested. This can take between 2-4 days depending on the service you request.

  • Visit the Chinese Embassy website for more information.


There you have it! These are the steps you need to take to ensure you have the correct paperwork to work in China.

Georgina Livermore
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