Job Discussion Forums

[hoyao]

I'm working in Beijing and my current employer tells me that I can't have my FEC renewed until 1 month before it expires. My FEC expires in August, which means I can't get it renewed until July. They tell me it will be a two week process, and during this time they'll need to take my passport so that they can submit it to the labor bureau. Is anyone out there familiar with the process of renewing an FEC in Beijing? I have a hunch that the process doesn't have to be this inconvenient.

As you know, we can't do anything in China without our passports. I actually plan to fly to the States in July, and if I'm prohibited from traveling during that time then it ruins all my plans.

[keeperofpythons]

[keeperofpythons]

There's one more thing I forgot. Each time I decided to stay at the same employer for a second contract period or longer, the FEC was renewed as soon as I signed my name on a new contract (I checked the renewal dates in my FEC).

[Zimmer]

Every renew I've done I gave the school my passport, and had it returned a week or so later with my new visa in it. Other's situations may differ but I don't see how they can renew you without putting a new visa in your passport.

[hoyao]

Can't they renew my FEC earlier though? I have no problem handing over my passport when I'm too busy to travel anywhere, but to only be able to renew my FEC in July is going to be inconvenient to say the least.

[roadwalker]

[choudoufu]

first you need the new contract signed and sealed.
then you need to get a new healthy check.
then you can have the FEC renewed.
and then you can get your new RP.

FEC renewal is NOT a 2-week process. it should take less than an
hour.

here in hainan, we do the medical check in the morning and pay
an extra 100 rmb for same-day processing. then we go to the beach
for a few hours, have lunch, then return for the health certificate.

then it's a short drive to the foreign expert bureau where we get the
FEC booklet updated. this gives us just enough time to drive across
town to the PSB where we apply for the new RP. that takes about
a week, during which time PSB holds the passport.

[Zimmer]

[keeperofpythons]

It can be done earlier. The RP can be renewed as early as 30 days before expiration. The problem is that the extension is never more than 364 days (beginning from day of submission) for 99% of foreign teachers. If you plan to stay in China for more than the next contact you are about to sign, that could cause inconveniences. The school could get around these if they really wanted to, but that's just another headache for them...

[kungfuman]

First get FEC, then comes RP.

[Zhejiang_Man]

[choudoufu]

[Zhejiang_Man]