Job Discussion Forums

backtothefront · Joined: 02 Sep 2012 Posts: 48 Location: uk

I have been waiting for 5 weeks now for this letter of invitation from the Shenzhen government so I can go to London to get my visa!! How long did you wait? I feel like throwing the towel in as this is taking far too long now..

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

The last time I had to wait it was probably less than 5 weeks, but when does your job start? Many / most / all Chinese employers dont work to the same kind of schedules or plan like we do, so they may see it as perfectly normal to leave it until the last minute.

The good news is that the visa process is quite straightforward. I use a visa consular service in London and the turnaround is normally quite quick!

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

That is quite a long time to wait. Possibly your employer has done the 'bait and switch' when they offer the job to more than one teacher, and they haven't actually applied for your letter of invitation. In any case, even if the person from the Police station that has to do the letter is on hols, your employer should know exactly when they will be back, and thus when they will have the letter to send to you.

If they can give you this info, then you should wait, as long as they can guarantee that you'll have the letter in your hands in the next 10 days or so. They will have paid a lot of money for the letter, so give them this chance.

If they can't tell you when they'll have the letter, tell them that you're looking elsewhere. They're probably shafting you.

All of this depends on exactly when exactly you're supposed to be starting.

twilothunder · Joined: 09 Dec 2011 Posts: 442

I have never had to wait that long, IIRC normally about three weeks.

twilothunder · Joined: 09 Dec 2011 Posts: 442

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

contact the school.....ask them where they are in the process.

have they sent you the letter yet? ems or regular post?

have they gotten the letter from the gub'mint yet?

is the letter being processed?

have they even applied yet?

backtothefront · Joined: 02 Sep 2012 Posts: 48 Location: uk

I've been asking them what is going on. I use a recruiter who say they recruit for the Shenzhen public school program. Send off my medical forms to them on the 21st September!

I'm going to give them 10 days. I feel like a fool though telling everyone I'm going China and still being stuck in limbo.

I think they must have a few teachers on standby or something. It stinks.

Maybe the 'con' is they have me as some kind of cover teacher in case anyone bails. Just sent them an email - I want an answer by early November.

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

What is the 'ShenZhen Public School Program'? Is that a real program in SZ or just an official sounding name used by an agency or recruiter?

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Start applying for other jobs pronto.
Go with the first decent employer who can get you a legit visa.
Don't agonise over these people.

Siamhoosier · Joined: 20 Oct 2012 Posts: 5

To the original poster: did you ever hear back from them?

I'm in the same situation with them. I've been waiting for the letter of invitation for 3 weeks now, and still no dice. I did contact the woman who is in charge of recruiting and she said it would be a few more weeks at minimum.

backtothefront · Joined: 02 Sep 2012 Posts: 48 Location: uk

Yeah they got shitty and I had to bk down problem, is I can't continue to wait. Looking less unlikely I'll be going every passing day.

I don't think this is as good a deal as I originally thought. This is hardly a good start-leopards rarely change their spots.

pm me if u hear anything.

Siamhoosier · Joined: 20 Oct 2012 Posts: 5

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

There are many people (myself included) who feel that you shoud never use a recruiter. maybe some people in your situation have had good experiences with recruiters. I've never heard of it.

Based on what two of you have said, you can add these guys to the long list of ones to avoid at all costs.

The letter of invitation doesn't take that long. The delay must be in finding you a school, or something like that. They don't sound transparent or honest.
What is the name of the recruiter organisation?

backtothefront · Joined: 02 Sep 2012 Posts: 48 Location: uk

They are called Penergy Education. The recruiter said they were based in Canada, a second company was also looking for teachers with an almost identical contract being offered.

I just read some of the horror stories on the scams thread. I was under the impression this recruiter was working for the Shenzhen council or something, to recruit hundreds of teachers for Shenzhen public schools. I don't want to work for them if I can get a job directly how does this work in China? It would be like working for an employment agency or something, but I'm not in China so its difficult to get a job directly.

kungfuman · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:48 pm Post subject:

Sometimes a school uses more than one recruiter and sends out their contract to the recruiter. Other times a recruiter knows of a job somehow and tries to sell the teacher to the school in the hopes of getting the placement fee.