Z Visa - authenticating documents legit??

[Greggmc]

Hi, I’ve taken a job in China teaching English as a second language. I have sent all my original documents (degree, dbs check and tefl certificate) now the recruitment company is requesting £385 to authenticate my documents. Is this legit? I’ve read that you shouldn’t pay a recruitment company money. So I’m just a little weary...and advice?

[odyssey]

Sounds highly suspicious to me, though I'm no expert on China. I doubt you should have sent the original docs in the first place, and ANY payment to a recruiting company is always a red flag. They (should) get paid by the school.

Was there any interview (online) or request for a demo video before all this?

[Greggmc]

I had an online interview with the school in China. And if you’re going to work in Shanghai then they need original docs. I’ve been speaking a lot with the recruiter and it doesn’t feel like a scam at all. Apparently the documents need authenticating by a lawyer who is registered with the Chinese embassy. So it would be the lawyer who I’d be paying and not the recruitment company. I was hoping to speak to someone who had been in the same situation just to reassure me lol

[Joe]

With any luck someone with experience in China will respond soon...

[Greggmc]

Thanks for the reply any how

[odyssey]

lawyer who is registered with the Chinese embassy

Chinese embassy would be in UK, not China, right?

How are they asking for this money? You should send it to China or you should pay a local lawyer in UK registered with embassy (which would make more sense). But you can't do that now because the docs are in China...

[Greggmc]

Yes the embassy is in the uk and it is them who will be authenticating them. The documents have been to China and are now back in the uk with the recruitment company

[odyssey]

I found the following website and video that explains things a bit more, and it makes your case seem legit:
https://www.opportunity-china.com/livin ... a-process/

What I didn't understand was why your docs were sent to China if the recruiters and authentication is in UK, but perhaps the above link will shed light on that (I didn't read it all).

[Greggmc]

Really appreciate that odyssey. Can’t read it atm but will have a proper look when I get home.

[Hiverecruit]

Old post but I’ll clarify :
1) in order to apply for a Z visa , you must provide authenticated background check, diploma, and an English teaching certificate (if you don’t have 2 years teaching experience).

2)The fees may be collected by a recruiter who is passing off to a visa specialist who will be processing the docs.

3)Originals are needed to authenticated for British, South Africans, New Zealanders, Australians... just copies for Americans and Canadians should work. Once authenticated hard copies are not required in China until you already have your Z visa and have entered China.

4) Authentication happens in country of document origin so it would be silly for the docs to come to China for authentication purpose.

Hope that’s informative. Ask directly if need consult. Wechat: Singaporepiusz

[Hiverecruit]

This post is somewhat still relevant but needs a major update.

Since November 7th 2023, China has joined The Hague convention making authentication of documents only something that happens for those who have documents coming from countries not part of The Hague convention.

This means for most docs will need to be apostilled and not authenticated. This is a considerably faster and more convenient process.

The same docs i mentioned in above thread need to be apostilled .

Contact me on wechat to discuss. ID: Singaporepiusz