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Invitation letter - wrong passport number!

 
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dawnbuckley



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 68
PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 12:30 pm    Post subject: Invitation letter - wrong passport number! Reply with quote
I can't believe this - after waiting patiently for 3 - 4 weeks for my documents to arrive, today I received an invitation letter with the wrong passport number printed on it. It was accompanied by a more important looking green document with a red stamp - this does not have any passport number on it.

I am partly to blame. Thinking back, when I originally made my application for the job about 3 months ago, I had to fill in a form which required me to enter my passport number. I entered my passport number at the time. However, I since renewed my passport and was given a new number. This is the passport I submitted to them when offered the position. Unfortunately, the company obviously looked at the passport number on the original application form and not the one on my passport copy scan. I should have told them I had changed my passport.

Does anyone know if will have to get a whole new invitation letter? Another month wait?
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vikeologist



Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Posts: 600
PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yep. New invitation letter. New fee for the school to pay.
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Miles Smiles



Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
If You are in the U.S., you should have received your old passport back. (I did). If you still have six pages in the book, you're okay. Use the old passport. If not, call a travel document service company and ask what the consulate will do in light of the problem. They've seen and done everything.

The worst scenario is that you email the school and explain the problem ASAP and offer to pay all costs. That's the right thing to do.
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GeminiTiger



Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 999
Location: China, 2005--Present
PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 1:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Echoing the above posters-

I suggest contacting a visa service and asking them if you can solve this problem. (If your in possession of your old passport). Otherwise your going to have to contact your school.
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kungfuman



Joined: 31 May 2012
Posts: 1749
Location: In My Own Private Idaho
PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Miles Smiles wrote:
If You are in the U.S., you should have received your old passport back. (I did). If you still have six pages in the book, you're okay. Use the old passport. If not, call a travel document service company and ask what the consulate will do in light of the problem. They've seen and done everything.

The worst scenario is that you email the school and explain the problem ASAP and offer to pay all costs. That's the right thing to do.


Are you suggesting that the Chinese Government would put in a visa into a canceled passport?

I am doubtful of this suggestion. Highly doubtful. (unless I misunderstood your post.)
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Kysorb



Joined: 30 Jul 2010
Posts: 253
Location: Beijing
PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:33 am    Post subject: Re: Invitation letter - wrong passport number! Reply with quote
dawnbuckley wrote:


Does anyone know if will have to get a whole new invitation letter? Another month wait?



I bet you it will be more than a 1 month wait. Schools usually have extra teachers they string along (like you for the last 3 months) in case something like this happens...

Now that your application will be voided out so one of the backups who's letters are sitting on the FAO's desk will get his letters sent immediately.

He gets the job and you ride the pine for another term if you want to work at that particular school.
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wangdaning



Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 3154
PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:35 am    Post subject: Re: Invitation letter - wrong passport number! Reply with quote
dawnbuckley wrote:
I can't believe this - after waiting patiently for 3 - 4 weeks for my documents to arrive, today I received an invitation letter with the wrong passport number printed on it. It was accompanied by a more important looking green document with a red stamp - this does not have any passport number on it.

I am partly to blame. Thinking back, when I originally made my application for the job about 3 months ago, I had to fill in a form which required me to enter my passport number. I entered my passport number at the time. However, I since renewed my passport and was given a new number. This is the passport I submitted to them when offered the position. Unfortunately, the company obviously looked at the passport number on the original application form and not the one on my passport copy scan. I should have told them I had changed my passport.

Does anyone know if will have to get a whole new invitation letter? Another month wait?


If you still have the old passport I would give it a try. Take the old one and the new one to the consulate and explain. Stranger things have happened. Give them a call, or call until you get someone, and ask. They might not really understand by phone though, and just stay no.

I would think they "could" sort it out if you could show it was your old passport number, you are the same person. If they will is another story, good luck.
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vikeologist



Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Posts: 600
PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I realise that you're not seriously suggesting that the Chinese authorities are laid back about the whole visa process for foreigners.

If your passport has been cancelled or if it runs out during the intended visa duration, they're not going to put the visa in it .

There is a strong chance the school will not take it well, because letters of invitation cost a lot, but hey, these things happen.

If it does go pear shaped though, and they withdraw the invitation, then I'd say so on the forum as I suspect some employers are getting increasingly desparate for teachers for September, (e.g. us)