Thursday, July 16, 2009

What it takes to gain "legal" status

Today, as I was driven to the local government office/police station, I began thinking of what it takes to gain "legal" status to live in China. I 'think' this is the list:

Before you step foot in China:
1. get passport
2. get shots (Hep A/B, typhoid, booster shots where applicable)
3. make flight reservation
4. apply for and get visa
5. pay for overage in luggage (you know you will be over.....)

Arrival in China:
1. health check
2. apply for residence permit
3. prove you are who you are (only if married female)
4. local government office for "check in"
5. receive Z Visa which means you are a legal resident (for one year).

I could make it easy and just list "pay money" at all of the steps and you would get the idea. It is not cheapa cheapa to obtain legal resident status here. But then it is probably the same in any country that you try to become a resident. It is quite a long process, the boys and I have been here for almost 4 weeks now and I believe that we are now through with this "process". We should get our passports and Z visa's back next Friday. It will be good to have them back with all the i's dotted and t's crosses. It will be then that the next "process" will begin: getting them registered for school.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sure seems like you are getting the hang of things over there. I have a few questions.

--When does school start? and how long of a school year? are the grade levels structured the same way? Do they wear uniforms?

Of course, I know this is all new.. I am just so curious :) and I know Kenny will be interested too..

Thanks for the updates.

Take Care...

Cristy said...

I miss you guys and I still read every time you post an update. I hope all is well!