Just got off the phone with Merchant's Bank. All the operator could say was "I haven't been notified of this."

@Geezer: Yes, Kunming (the rules seem to be different everywhere, but especially here)

I've been renewing the same work/residence permit for 5+ years now, and haven't been asked to provide a new health check for quite some time.

Renewing my work residence permit now, and have a few updates, specifically on the CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK

First, @laoshi19 is wrong. FBI criminal record checks list all arrest incidents in which your fingerprints were provided to them by any law enforcement agency. That basically means every arrest, federal, state or local, and often does not bother to include whether the charges were dismissed.

Various states and localities differ on what they show in their reports. Some states show every arrest in their jurisdiction. Some only show convictions. It varies widely, including the regional scope of what turns up on the report.

Though I've been renewing the same work permit/residence permit for many years, the Labor Bureau requested a criminal record check last year, because, and I quote, "We want one on file for everyone." I was told I would only need this once.

They accepted a state criminal record check, translated and certified by a local (Kunming) translation agency. It was not certified or notarized by any US notary or Chinese embassy official.

Today, the lady at the office told us "Yeah, well I'm new here, and I didn't see it, so bring me your record check." My assistant is on her way now with last year's document. I will update about whether the state check is still accepted in its current form.

For folks in S/SW part of town, there's Wellness Gym right next to the Wuhua Stadium.

It's a pretty basic place. They have a decent set of weights and equipment, though it's not very well maintained. Tons of classes, including yoga, dance and spinning. I think Vikram yoga is a bit extra.

They also have a nice outdoor patio next to the Wuhua Stadium running track, and you can access the track at night, when it's closed to the public.

I think I paid around 1500 for the basic membership.

I agree with TigerTiger that location is probably the most important. You can work out with pretty basic stuff if you know what you're doing, but the best gym in town is useless if you never go.

@Geezer: Thanks for the clarification on the "foreign" part of "foreign earned income." The main point I was trying to make is that these earnings may be exempt, but you still get hit with FICA for self-employed income (lots of teachers and freelancers here who might not be aware of that).

I had heard of the 40 credit requirement before, but can't find anything saying you don't have to pay anymore once you've reached 40 credits. Could you provide a source on that?