Moving to China with Family

A few months ago, we did a survey to subscribers of our newsletter and asked, “Are there any subjects which you would like to read about on SDC?” and lots of people asked us for an article more oriented towards families.

However, how can we write an article oriented towards families if neither of us has a family?

So, a few days ago when I received an email from a Spanish family which had moved to Shanghai and wanted to share their experience and suggestions, I didn’t hesitate for a moment.

This article was written by Julio Cesar Castro, who recently moved to Shanghai with his partner and daughter.

P.D. In my opinion, this article helps to complete my previous article: “How to move to China to study or work“

Introduction

A few months ago, I fell upon this website by accident, one of those lucky accidents.

At that time I contacted them, asked my question and went along with my plan, but the help that I received from here and the advice that the people involved gave me along with the contributions of others like myself have helped me greatly in my new phase in China.

So, in addition to giving thanks, I would like to contribute my experience so that it can help others as much as possible.

Currently, I am working in Shanghai at the company of a Chinese friend who I met through my previous job. I have been here for two months and came here with my partner and daughter. I want to briefly share the processes which we have had to go through to get to this point and some advice as a father.

Getting a visa:

I am Spanish and obtained the work visa (Z) at the consulate in Madrid. The main requirement was the work authorization which was managed for me the by the Chinese company, which had to provide various documents. As for my part, the main task was having my university degree translated into Chinese.

As for my partner, they only gave her a visa for visiting family (S2), a multiple-entry visa with a maximum stay of 90 days (a problem which was subsequently resolved, as I discuss later). The main requirement was the letter of invitation from the Chinese company and all of my papers.

For our daughter, they gave us a family visa (S1). The main requirements were family records and the letter of invitation from the company.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get an S1 visa for my partner as we are not married, even though we have a daughter together, family records, joint bank accounts, are registered at the same address, and so on.

At the consulate, they were very nice and normally try to help you as long as you are polite. However, what I realized is that if something isn’t possible, it still isn’t possible no matter how much you ask, beg, yell or cry. You have to give it a try but if they tell you no a few times, that means no.
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/moving-to-china-with-family/