How to... get a health check in Beijing 如何在北京体检

One of the first steps when applying for a Z visa is the obligatory health check. While you can also do it abroad before your first visit to China, it is rather advisable to do it here if the opportunity presents itself.

If you want to do the health check abroad, ask your doctor to fill in this form, add a photo, your ECG, a chest X-ray and a blood exam (HIV and Syphilis), ask to have each page stamped (preferably with a round red chop) and one additional stamp on your picture, and then send the whole package to your employer in China.

Until August 31st, health checks were done at Hepingli hospital. Please be aware that according to a notice at Hepingli, all health checks will be handled at Haidian clinic (see below) from September 1st, 2008!

Haidian Clinic
10, Dezhenglu
Haidian District
Beijing
Tel:82403675; Fax: 58648544

北京国际旅行卫生保健中心
北京市海淀区德正路10号

Opening hours: 08.30-11.00 from Monday to Friday

The closest subway stop from the clinic is 西二旗 (xi'erqi) on line 13. A taxi from there should cost about 13RMB.

(Click here to enlarge map)

After the examinations, go to the reception on the first floor, you can have the certificate either mailed for 30 RMB or pick it up two days later.

One last advice, you can get additional copies of this health certificate for about 30 RMB (and you'll have to bring extra photos, too). Depending on who handles your Z visa process and where you apply, you might need up to three original versions, so if you want to be 100% sure that you won't have to go back, those additional 60RMB are money well spent.

The health check certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue.

How to... register with your local police station-如何到当地派出所办理临时住宿登记

Foreigners in China need to register with their local police station. While this won't apply to most tourists as hotels automatically register them upon check-in, it is crucial to register yourself if you're staying at private accomodation or live here permanently, within 24 hours upon your arrival in China.

There are local police stations or 派出所 (pàichūsuo) all over the country; if you ask anyone on the street I'm sure they can point you to the nearest one.

If you rent an apartment, this is what you'll need to take along:

• your passport
  
• the lease contract with your name on it
  
• your landlord's contact details
  
• a copy of your landlord's ID card
  

The final "registration form of temporary residence" should look something like this: