via WikipediaWe had the stories on the F, L and X (student) visas, but now also the workpermits or Z-visas have become under more stringent scrutiny, at least in Beijing, writes the Canadian paper Globe and Mail. Daniel Yeung is still trying to understand how it happened. After eight years of steady employment, the Canadian recruitment consultant is being kicked out of China, forced to join an exodus of foreigners streaming out of the host country ahead of the Beijing Olympics.Mr. Yeung is one of thousands of Canadians and other foreign citizens who are being forced to leave China this month because of tougher visa rules.
Yeung has to leave because his educational background is considered by the Chinese authorities not to be enough to be eligible for a Z-visa.
When he tried to renew his work visa this spring, the Chinese authorities rejected his application. They said his educational qualifications, a diploma in physiotherapy, were inadequate for his job and he must have a bachelor's degree if he wanted to work as a consultant in China. It didn't matter that his employers were happy with his work, or that he was performing a useful service.
"All sorts of people are being refused visas for the silliest of reasons," Mr. Yeung said in an interview.
Again: it is not yet right away clear whether these ludicrious measures do apply also outside Beijing. It is not uncommon for the relevant authorities to come to their senses, although it might take a while and damage might have been done by then.
Update: The work permit, leading to the Z-visa, is issued by the labor bureau; they decided whether to accept your diploma, no public security. See also the comment section.
