Authenticating your documents in the UK is the last step before applying for your Chinese work visa (known as a China Z Visa). In the UK the process is simple compared to other countries.
As long as you’re in the UK when applying for your visa, you can take care of the steps on your own. If you happen to be abroad or just want to save yourself the hassle, you may want to employ the services of a third-party. We’ll tell you more about this option, below.
This blog aims to help you through the process of authenticating documents in the UK. We’ll also provide you with some insider tips to make the whole process run smoother.
Here is everything you’ll need for the visa application.
There are three documents that you’ll have to get legalized, authenticated and/or notarised for the visa process.
*The one exception here is if you have a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education). This supersedes the need to have a TEFL qualification.
**More details on the latest COVID -19 pre-travel requirements, at the end of the page.
Authenticating your documents for the China Visa is a two-step process. First, your documents need to be authenticated by the UK Government. Secondly they need to be legalized by a China Visa Application Centre, also in the UK.
Essentially, the first step guarantees that your documents are legitimate. The second guarantees they’ll be accepted when you apply for your work permit in China.
Insider tip: Every step incurs a cost (no big surprises there!). If you’ve negotiated reimbursement for your visa costs with your employer, keep all the receipts!
On the UK Government side of things, here’s what you need to do:
For some, the notarisation step can be skipped. Remember, most originals, especially those issued by the UK government do not need to be notarised i.e Criminal Background check.
The first step is to find a Public Notary who’ll notarize your documents. This involves taking the originals along or copies of the originals. The Public Notary (must be UK-registered – find your nearest here).
In the UK, Public Notaries usually charge about £30 per document. Although they offer a discount for multiple docs so it’s always cheaper if you have them all done at once.
Insider Tip: The requirement for authentication of documents varies by city and by a school, in China. Before doing anything, ask your employer what he/she needs. It may just save you some much-needed time and money!
The next step is to have the notarised copies or originals authenticated by the FCO. Many people think the authentication is of the document itself but, technically, they are authenticating the Public Notary’s signature or the document that the government has issued. For instance, the FCO may authenticate the a criminal background check, signifying it’s a legitimate document that can be used for your Z visa application.
Documents can be couriered to the Legalization Office of the FCO (here is the official website) and can be returned via courier. The FCO charges £30. Unfortunately, they do not offer discounts for multiple documents.
Courier costs range between £5.50 and £25, depending on where you are (the UK, EU or Rest of the World). If you are in the UK, you can can opt for snail-mail. Although the risk of your precious documents going AWOL for just a few pounds’ saving, may not be worth it’s while.
Once the FCO has the documents, the process takes about 10 working days.
You can contact the FCO directly for info:
E-mail: legalisationenquiries@fcdo.gov.uk
Telephone: 03700 00 22 44
Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 4pm
As a very final step, your freshly authenticated documents are sent to the nearest China Visa Application Service Centre (see this list) so they be authorised for use in China. Chinese Embassies the world over are shifting the visa-application process to dedicated centres. As a result your nearest embassy or consulate no longer deal with the legalization of documents.
You need to take along (or send) the original documents, as well as the authenticated ones, passport and a copy of the passport. Given the sensitive nature of the documents, it’s always best if you make a visit in person. Make sure you contact them first to make an appointment.
In the UK, the charge is about £15 per document.
If you are abroad: you may feel uneasy about sending documents back and forth to the UK. Although it may cost an extra, authorized legalization services are worth their weight in gold. Plus, they can cut the processing time, which is great if you’re in a hurry.
Some of the most reputable agencies out there:
Once you’ve managed to have all your documents fully legalised. You can then send them to your employer who’ll kick start the visa application for you.
You may not be done yet but you’re certainly one step closer to teaching in China
Until November 3rd, travellers to China needed to do one nose and mouth swab to get a COVID Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) certificate. This was a requirement to board a flight to China.
This has changed. Due to the increase of imported COVID-19 cases into China, further testing for COVID and related certification is needed.
Increased measures brought in by the Chinese authorities mean that you now need to have passed (negative result) a
before being allowed to board a flight to China or an itinerary with China as it’s final destination.
Once it was just an uncomfortable swab, now blood must be taken for antibody testing. Be prepared as this is unlikely to change for some time.
The headache doesn’t end there. The two COVID tests must now be carried out no longer than 48 hours (2 days) prior to traveling, and not 5 and 3 days as it was previously. This throws up a whole host of logistical issues. You will need military like planning to board your flight.
As mentioned, you will need a Health Declaration Form, that is downloadable from the Chinese Embassy website.
Once you fill it in, you’ll need to return it with your negative test results and they will authenticate it. This is the document that will allow you to board the flight successfully.
The Chinese Embassy does not designate specific institutions to carry out the test. You can choose any recognised hospital or institution to take the test.
The biggest obstacle will be finding facility that can provide the results same-day. For example, a company on the net like Walk in Clinic that can turn the tests around in 24 hours. This should give you enough time to have your health declaration authenticated and board your flight.
Getting your results back within 24 hours will come at a price. Be prepared to pay anything from £325 to £450… ouch! Once you have them back, you will need to send the health declaration form and test results to the embassy. Embassy staff are working extra hours to approve the documents. Leave as much time as possible and preferably, do not send them at the weekends.
3. Attached to an email and send to the most applicable email address
The Chinese Embassy in the UK has a handy FAQ page that you should keep referring to as your trip nears. Ensure you know all the latest updates.
IT’S ALWAYS BEST TO CONTACT THE EMBASSY FOR THE LATEST UPDATES OF TEST/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS BEFORE TAKING YOUR TEST
The Health Declaration form looks like this
Always keep with you the original COVID Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) and IgG antibody test certificate as well as the authenticated Health Declaration Form. You will likely be asked to show this several times throughout your journey. Don’t be surprised if you are asked for this form at check in, during stop-overs and upon arrival in China.
Authenticating documents in the UK is no different from anywhere else. Nonetheless this is still a tiresome and sometimes overwhelming process. This is where we can help. We have lived and breathed this whole process and we can provide insight on how best to over it come it.
For more details on the COVID test and other flight requirements, please refer to Planning a Trip or Returning to China in 2020
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