Bit of a clarification on what Alien posted.

Z visa does get you into country first time.

Foreign Experts certificate says you are allowed to work at the specific job

Residents permit is given after FEC & says you're allowed to live here!

Some of us get Alien employment licences (work permits) instead of an FEC.

Ah, so now we get the full story! That's the problem Lightening. Over 60 here you need a medical every year. Though the "medical" is very basic.

So for the rest of us whippersnappers (I'm 50!) we don't need to worry yet.

@ Lightening. I'll get my wife to double check this on Monday. I'm in Guangzhou & got my licence issued in Qingyuan 4 years ago. My wife was sure you only need the repeat medical once past 60-something. Will push her to check it again.

Never heard of this before. My Chinese Edie is having lessons at the moment.....asked her about this....she says it's not the case in Guangzhou

Expensive learning moment! I do have some sympathies but am still amazed at the amount, especially as I'm always told the Chinese people are big savers and careful with money.

I do know what it's like to be in debt. Mine were 150,000rmb at the time.....but I earned 450,000rmb/year (lived in the UK at that time). Took me a year of having no spare cash & taking advantage of an interest free balance transfer credit card to clear the debt. China doesn't have those yet as the population here is still going through the growing pains of credit card usage.

The advice given has been good. Ask family for help & then pay them back. It'll save a small fortune in interest payments