Visa issues are a huge part of expat life. Although foreigners coming to China have it relatively easy when it comes to getting visas (a Chinese going to your country will have to submit reams of paperwork, prove that they have a chunk of officially frozen assets awaiting their return, and jump through a many more bureaucratic hoops with no assurance they will actually get the visa) getting a work visa is still a pain in the rear.

There are two main methods of getting a work visa: your employer can sponsor you, or you can go through an agency which will supply the paperwork and sponsorship your real employer normally would. It’s not a clear cut choice – many employers don’t have the juice to get you a legit work visa and will use an agency to take care of it for them. If the agency can’t deliver, and with China’s constantly changing rules and requirement this happens with some frequency, you may find yourself with three days to clear out of the country and become an ex-expat. On the other hand, if your employer handles your visa for you, they have a whole lot of leverage. If they decide to cut the strings, you too will find yourself rapidly packing your things and leaving on a jet plane. We asked you which method you prefer for getting your work visas.

Would you rather get your visa through your employer or through an agency?

I would prefer to get the get visa from an agency, Their existence is needed, because when I got job from employer sometimes endorse visa only for employee, and how will our family visas will be provided? Therefore the existence of visa agencies are still needed.
P / Newsletter

Mostly, getting your visa from your employer is better, because they will pay the money for you, but sometimes companies or schools don't want to provide the documents required because, since they do it for you, they have to take all the responsibility for your behavior in China. The other thing is, if your employer can't do the visa for you by themselves, they turn to an agency for help. It is up to you.
Newsletter reader

My employer. Cut out the middleman. I trust my employer though; I've heard that a lot of training schools dick people around when it comes to that kind of stuff
J / US

Employer if they're legit. Otherwise it doesn't really matter since it'll be churned off a giant visa processing factory line.
J / Singapore

Through my employer. That way I have it for longer and they pay for it. Getting one through an agency is more expensive. However, you need to make sure your employee actually gets it for you. Before the Olympics, mine didn't and I was illegal.
G / US

My best friend lived here for 6 years and always did his through an independent agency. Then, around the Olympics his visa was up for renewal and nothing was clear. The woman at the agency kept telling him it was no problem when he asked if he should go somewhere else or leave for Hong Kong. She kept saying no, no problem. Until she came and told him she couldn’t do it and he had one week to leave the country. Now it’s really hard for him to come back.
D / Australia

Are agencies legal? I don’t know how to find the good ones. Giving my passport and money to someone I don’t know makes me too nervous. Without knowing how they do it or if it’s legal I just won’t do it. Better to play by the rules even if it might be more work in the short term.
N / UK

The agencies are very bad, they make us foreigners feel bad. They ask for such a lot of money to get a visa. I hate these agencies.
Newsletter reader

Definitely agencies. I like to be able to change jobs when I feel like it and if your boss owns your visa it’s really difficult to leave or resist their demands. Plus, having your own visa is an advantage when negotiating for a new position because it takes a load off the company and allows you to ask for more.
T / US

Perspectives seeks to promote dialogue and cross-cultural understanding by featuring Chinese and foreign responses to a single question. Email us to be added to our weekly question mailing list or to suggest questions of your own and feel free to add your perspective in the comments section below.
 

Related Links
China Visa Guide
Ready to get Deported Again? New Visa Rumors Causing a Stir
Before China….Get Your Visa!

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