China Dairies 2 (The documentation)
After the initial offer letter, comes the real task. Getting documents having it validated and finally leading to the work permit before one can apply for the VISA.
So, once I confirmed my interests in joining the organization, I was given a list of documents I will need to scan and send the authorities via mail. Just for general information, this is a process where the organization procures VISA for the employee (in this case me).
After a good number of email exchanges about the clarity of the documents and other small hiccups, the first stage of real documentation was when I needed my degree certificate to be attested through the External Ministry, and some other ministries in Delhi where I had my Degree from. Otherwise a lengthy process, but things move easier with money.
After a lot of research, I decided to go to the Delhi High Court, without a clue what to expect, I was greeted by one person who identified himself working under a certain advocate. I told him, I needed to get my degree certificate attested for Work permit abroad. He just asked me one question, "Which country?" After I told him China, he already seems to know what is his next step.
What I heard next was unexpected, it was almost like a holiday package plan he offered. He said, One way could be done by the rule of the book which will get your documents in a week's time from one Department and another week for the next department. He warned me, that it could take a month's time. So I asked him what was the other option available? From the look of his face I could tell, he is all set to sell me the real deal.
Yes it could be available in two days time if I paid a certain amount. I would just have to submit my passport, pay up the money (cash), take the receipt and come back after two days.
The hardest that I had to take a huge leap of faith and just hand him my Passport in exchange for a handwritten receipt. I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing. It just sounded insane. He, in a lame way, tried to console me by telling me that I am not the first one to get it done this way.
He was like, "Madam, people get it done this way all the time. You need to have faith, we have been here in the High court camp for very long." The prospect of going through the normal process did not appeal to me, so I took my chances.
Two days later, anxious and nervous I went to the chamber with the receipt. As soon as I showed them my receipt, it was barely 10 minutes, my documents were all ready and attested as an original copy.
Please know that you can either have your original copy of your degree stamped and attested or you can make a photocopy of your degree and attest them for the original. (So that you know you have an option).
It had all kinds of stamps including a red stamp which was supposedly the only thing acceptable to the Chinese Govt. After double-checking everything on the list of attestation (because the Chinese Govt. will not attest the certificate if at all anything is missing) I planned on my next step, ie get the attestation from the Embassy.
The next day, I waited at the embassy to deposit my documents. I was told I required one more attestation from some ministry. So I had to venture back to the chamber and inquired about it. Since I already paid the whole package earlier, this time they took about 30 minutes to get the rest of the stamps done with no extra charge. I was told there is always new things added by the foreign embassies so it happens that might have missed on something.
Although with initially anxious I learned to calm myself and go to the Chinese embassy once again. Such process teaches one to be more patient.
Now my set of documents were complete, Now an attestation form (available in the website), is to be filled along with a cover letter as directed in the website. (Make sure to read up the procedures as the embassies keep updating new rules an regulations so before making a trip to the embassy).
The Embassy opened around 10.30 am (double check the time it may change). Also, just so that you know, the embassies also do not deal in VISA application process. After, that you go to the embassy submit your documents along with the cover letter. The person in the counter will ask you to come after two working days or a day to collect the document.
Usually, they give you a slip/receipt of the amount and how it is to be deposited (draft/cheque) when you come to collect the documents.
Two days later, I received the documents after I made the deposit as mentioned in the slip. After the initial process of attestation, A scanned copy of the attested document was sent to my Employee who now further processed my work permit.
Next up I will discuss the VISA process and how I flew to China much later.
Stay tuned for the next update!
So, once I confirmed my interests in joining the organization, I was given a list of documents I will need to scan and send the authorities via mail. Just for general information, this is a process where the organization procures VISA for the employee (in this case me).
After a good number of email exchanges about the clarity of the documents and other small hiccups, the first stage of real documentation was when I needed my degree certificate to be attested through the External Ministry, and some other ministries in Delhi where I had my Degree from. Otherwise a lengthy process, but things move easier with money.
After a lot of research, I decided to go to the Delhi High Court, without a clue what to expect, I was greeted by one person who identified himself working under a certain advocate. I told him, I needed to get my degree certificate attested for Work permit abroad. He just asked me one question, "Which country?" After I told him China, he already seems to know what is his next step.
What I heard next was unexpected, it was almost like a holiday package plan he offered. He said, One way could be done by the rule of the book which will get your documents in a week's time from one Department and another week for the next department. He warned me, that it could take a month's time. So I asked him what was the other option available? From the look of his face I could tell, he is all set to sell me the real deal.
Yes it could be available in two days time if I paid a certain amount. I would just have to submit my passport, pay up the money (cash), take the receipt and come back after two days.
The hardest that I had to take a huge leap of faith and just hand him my Passport in exchange for a handwritten receipt. I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing. It just sounded insane. He, in a lame way, tried to console me by telling me that I am not the first one to get it done this way.
He was like, "Madam, people get it done this way all the time. You need to have faith, we have been here in the High court camp for very long." The prospect of going through the normal process did not appeal to me, so I took my chances.
Two days later, anxious and nervous I went to the chamber with the receipt. As soon as I showed them my receipt, it was barely 10 minutes, my documents were all ready and attested as an original copy.
Please know that you can either have your original copy of your degree stamped and attested or you can make a photocopy of your degree and attest them for the original. (So that you know you have an option).
It had all kinds of stamps including a red stamp which was supposedly the only thing acceptable to the Chinese Govt. After double-checking everything on the list of attestation (because the Chinese Govt. will not attest the certificate if at all anything is missing) I planned on my next step, ie get the attestation from the Embassy.
The next day, I waited at the embassy to deposit my documents. I was told I required one more attestation from some ministry. So I had to venture back to the chamber and inquired about it. Since I already paid the whole package earlier, this time they took about 30 minutes to get the rest of the stamps done with no extra charge. I was told there is always new things added by the foreign embassies so it happens that might have missed on something.
Although with initially anxious I learned to calm myself and go to the Chinese embassy once again. Such process teaches one to be more patient.
Now my set of documents were complete, Now an attestation form (available in the website), is to be filled along with a cover letter as directed in the website. (Make sure to read up the procedures as the embassies keep updating new rules an regulations so before making a trip to the embassy).
The Embassy opened around 10.30 am (double check the time it may change). Also, just so that you know, the embassies also do not deal in VISA application process. After, that you go to the embassy submit your documents along with the cover letter. The person in the counter will ask you to come after two working days or a day to collect the document.
Usually, they give you a slip/receipt of the amount and how it is to be deposited (draft/cheque) when you come to collect the documents.
Two days later, I received the documents after I made the deposit as mentioned in the slip. After the initial process of attestation, A scanned copy of the attested document was sent to my Employee who now further processed my work permit.
Next up I will discuss the VISA process and how I flew to China much later.
Stay tuned for the next update!
Comments
Post a Comment