Z Visa For Non Native Speakers

Wouldn’t it be great if you could do something that lets you live, stay and work in the United States of America? The Z visa is a non-immigrant visa that gives a person that chance. It’s applicable to people that want to study in the USA, or want to come to the USA to work temporarily.

If you are a non-native speaker of the English language and looking for a visa for the United States, then this article is for you. A Z visa is actually a little-known visa that some people have said is the best option for not just native speakers but also people who can’t speak English well. Here we will explore that claim and give you the ultimate Z Visa guide.

Z Visa For Non Native Speakers

Are you a non-native speaker of English? Do you want to know how to apply for a Z visa? If so, this article is for you.

A Z visa is a nonimmigrant visa for those who are not native speakers of English. The Z visa is also known as the F-2 visa, and it allows a person to enter the United States and study in an academic or vocational school. The duration of the Z visa depends on the length of your course of study. For example, if you are taking an English course that lasts one year or less, then your Z visa will be valid for up to one year.

The application process for a Z visa requires that you fill out Form I-20A-B and submit it with your other documents to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You must provide proof that you have been accepted by an accredited institution or program in order to obtain your F-2 student visa. You will also need to show that you have enough money to pay for tuition, books and supplies as well as living expenses while studying in the United States.

As a non-native speaker of English, you may have some concerns about the process of applying for a Z visa. We understand that it can be daunting to navigate the new world of bureaucracy in America, but we’re here to help.

Here are some tips for getting started:

-Make sure you have all your documents in order before you start the application process. You’ll need your passport, social security number (if you have one), and proof of health insurance coverage.

-Set aside some time to complete your application in one sitting—it’s best not to leave it open until later on if possible. This will help minimize errors and ensure that everything gets done correctly the first time around!

-And finally, don’t forget about any other requirements for obtaining a Z visa (like meeting income requirements).

What Are the Requirements for a Z Visa?

To be eligible for a Z visa, you will need to meet the requirements to teach English which are set out by your school in China. While these requirements may differ from school to school, they tend to revolve around three main components:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in any subject 
• Two Years Work Experience or TEFL certificate (ideally 120 hours)
• Native English Speaker
• Criminal background check

Applicants are also subject to the same retirement ages as Chinese workers: 60 for men and 55 for women.  While these ages are still being revised, it will be more difficult to get a visa if you are older than that. We go into more detail on the requirements teachers need to teach in China here. 

Z Visa Timeline 

Getting the Z visa itself is not a lengthy process and it normally only takes 3-7 business days for your application to be processed.

However, the length of the whole process, which starts from getting the necessary documents notarized all the way to actually getting your residence permit, depends on several variables and could end up taking a couple of months.

Here’s how long each individual step to becoming a Chinese resident usually takes: 

• Getting your documents notarized – around 3-4 weeks (it might be less depending on the service you choose to get it done) 
• Getting you Work Permit – it takes up to 30 business days for your permit to be processed
• Getting your Z visa – 3-7 business days 
• Finally getting your Residence Permit – approximately 10-15 days

China Work Visa Process Summary

Despite what you may have heard, the visa process for those looking to teach in China is usually pretty straight forward. If we break it down, there are six steps you need to take. Two before you leave for China, the rest within 30 days of arriving there. While this may seem like a lot, rest assured that your school should be doing all the heavy lifting on your behalf. They will tell you what you need to do and assist you with it, guiding you through the process.

Z Visa Fees

The fee for the Z visa is the same as for other types of Chinese visas. Some schools may help with costs, but typically expect to pay the following for a single-entry Z visa:

US Citizens	Canadian Citizens	UK Citizens	Australian Citizens
USD 140	CAD 142	GBP 151	AUD 109.5

However you go about this step, once you have your Z visa in your passport you are ready to head off to China and start your ESL adventure!

In China

Congratulations! You’ve made it to China. You now have 30 days to turn your Z Visa into a residency permit (the Visa only gets you into China, the residency permit ensures you can stay). As your Z visa is single-entry, you will not be able to leave China until you get your residency permit, but after that, you are free to exit and enter as often as you like. 

Only four more steps to go before you are officially a Chinese resident! Plus, your school should continue to assist you through these next stages, so no need to worry. 

Step Three – Registration

The first thing you must do upon landing in China, apart from grabbing some delicious noodles, is register at the local police station where you’ll be staying. This needs to be done within 24 hours of your arrival, so our advice is to get it done ASAP. It’s a pretty straightforward step – just take yourself and the following documents down to your local police station:

• Passport
• Housing contract
• A copy of your Landlord’s ID and their contact number

Step Four – Medical Check

It is highly likely that you will be required to take part in an in-country medical check within 30 days of your arrival in China. It should be organized by your employer and they should accompany you to the hospital. It’s a pretty simple procedure and is nothing to worry about. You will need to bring the following documents with you to the medical check:

• Passport
• Photocopies of passport material pages (picture and information page, visa page, and entry stamp page)
• 5 passport-style photos (your employer may organize for these to be taken)
• Medical check fee, approx 400RMB – in some cases your employer will pay

The follow-up Health Certificate can take a couple of working days to process and all being well, your employer should register this with the authorities. 

Step Five – Work Certificate

You’re almost there! Next up is the Work Certificate, which you will need to apply for your Residence Permit. Your employer should assist you with this. Expect to submit the following documents:

• Passport
• One photo
• Medical Check (if applicable)
• Police Registration form (from your arrival in China)

Generally, the Work Certificate will take around 5 days to process but may take longer. 

Step Six – Residency Permit

The end is now in sight as you finally complete the last step of the visa journey. Again, your employer should assist you with this.

To apply for your Residence Permit, you must appear in person at your local Public Security Bureau (PBS). Remember, you need to have applied for this Residency Permit within 30 days of your arrival in China. This is important. 

Bring yourself and the following to the PBS:

• Passport (this will be kept by the PBS for the processing period)
• Work Certificate
• Police Registration form
• Medical check 
• Resident Permit application forms
• One photo

Expect the processing time of the Residence Permit to be approx 10 – 15 days, depending on the city you’re applying in. You don’t need the Residence Permit in your hand before your 30 days is up, but you need to have applied for it. 

Conclusion

It’s no secret that immigration officials are often more suspicious of non-native English speakers. But fortunately, Z-visa holders get to stay for two years, and there is a way to renew it.

Consider then, the immense risk that a US employer takes in sponsoring a foreigner to work in the US. What if the foreign worker is not who he says he is? And what about his English skills – will they be adequate for his position, will he understand his co-workers and supervisors? Most employers are simply unwilling to take these risks – and so, many foreigners are unable to obtain a Z visa.