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Professional TEFLer
Joined: 09 May 2013
Posts: 77
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 Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 11:31 pm Post subject: Recruiters |
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Today I emailed a recruiter telling him I would not be using his services because he doesn't provide the Z visa before one leaves for China. With him, one must go to China on the F-Business visa if I remember correctly. You are supposed to be able to work teaching English with this for about three months.
After that one has to fly to Hong Kong to get the Z visa. I personally do not have the money to be flying to Hong Kong once I arrive in China, plus what everyone has been saying on this forum about making sure one has the Z visa before going to China.
The other recruiter I am using is going to make sure the Z visa will be gotten while I am in the US. I told the recruiter this was why I am using another recruiter and his response..."I'd be suspicious of that. Best of luck." |
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it'snotmyfault
Joined: 14 May 2012
Posts: 527
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| Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 12:45 am Post subject: |
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It's a good idea to make sure you come on a Z-visa, but a bad idea to come without any savings that can help you "escape" if you realise you've made a terrible decision once you get here.
A round trip to HK, depending where you are in China could be around 3000rmb at most. Are you going to come with less than that?
I'm sure a lot of people would agree you need some savings, just in case. |
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Professional TEFLer
Joined: 09 May 2013
Posts: 77
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| Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 12:50 am Post subject: |
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| it'snotmyfault wrote: |
It's a good idea to make sure you come on a Z-visa, but a bad idea to come without any savings that can help you "escape" if you realise you've made a terrible decision once you get here.
A round trip to HK, depending where you are in China could be around 3000rmb at most. Are you going to come with less than that?
I'm sure a lot of people would agree you need some savings, just in case. |
I'll have a round 1,000 dollars when I arrive. Not enough? |
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it'snotmyfault
Joined: 14 May 2012
Posts: 527
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| Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 1:09 am Post subject: |
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Probably depends on what kind of risk taker you are 
Some people would be happy with enough money for a flight home or a run to Thailand, others are happy arriving with next to nothing and the knowledge that their parents will always help them out.
A 1000 dollars can soon go in China though. Especially if you need to set yourself up with some accommodation. |
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Professional TEFLer
Joined: 09 May 2013
Posts: 77
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| Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 1:30 am Post subject: |
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| it'snotmyfault wrote: |
Probably depends on what kind of risk taker you are
Some people would be happy with enough money for a flight home or a run to Thailand, others are happy arriving with next to nothing and the knowledge that their parents will always help them out.
A 1000 dollars can soon go in China though. Especially if you need to set yourself up with some accommodation. |
The school told me that I don't have to pay for the apt. |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 2:02 am Post subject: |
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| Professional TEFLer wrote: |
| I'll have a round 1,000 dollars when I arrive. Not enough? |
that's about one month's pay at the typical uni. plenty to live on......if
there are no emergencies, and if you don't gotta buy nothing 'spensive.
you can live on 1000/month (or less for the cheap charlies) if you know
where/how to shop. that's for so-called "real china." more 'spensive in
beijing and shanghai.
how long will that one grand gotta last? when do you get your first
pay check? assuming they pay you on time. assuming they pay you
at all. assuming................
i'd rather have a 3 grand safety net.
| and then later Professional TEFLer wrote: |
| The school told me that I don't have to pay for the apt. |
did they say (put in contract) that they provide accommodations? or did
they say "help you/assist you" with an apartment? you don't need to
pay a deposit for the apartment or utilities?
regardless, expect to gotta buy stuff for the apartment. "furnished" can
mean a couple plastic stools and a folding picnic table. "cooking needs"
can be a rice cooker, two bowls and a pair of chopsticks. the bedroom
may have a hard-as-a-rock mattress topped with a bamboo roll-up, and
no sheets. bathroom has no shelves or mirror. no curtains on the winders.
what? you need towels? and a microwave? and a washing machine?
and a cell phone? and a water dispenser? and a refridgerator? oh, and
you want air conditioning? you foreigners are soooooooooo demanding!!
expect to shell out a couple thousand rmb to get your apartment set
up to where you can be comfortable. |
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kungfuman
Joined: 31 May 2012
Posts: 1749
Location: In My Own Private Idaho
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| Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 3:12 am Post subject: |
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| Professional TEFLer wrote: |
The school told me that I don't have to pay for the apt. |
Schools and recruiters will tell you lots of things that may not turn out to be true - or may contain a little truth and much falsehood.
ie - one day I was asked to do a corporate gig for a part time. I asked where the company was so I could search the location. For three weeks I got the answer - Don't Worry It Is in Suzhou.
The day before the gig started they told me the client was in a small city about 60 miles outside of Suzhou BUT WAS STILL PART OF SUZHOU.
So now it became a 1 1/2 hour one way commute. Could you believe THEY were angry when I told them I wasn't doing it now as they weren't straightforward with me? |
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Professional TEFLer
Joined: 09 May 2013
Posts: 77
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| Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| kungfuman wrote: |
| Schools and recruiters will tell you lots of things that may not turn out to be true. |
Can you please give more examples? I want to make sure i'll be ready for anything.
Thanks. |
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kungfuman
Joined: 31 May 2012
Posts: 1749
Location: In My Own Private Idaho
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| Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 7:28 am Post subject: |
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| Professional TEFLer wrote: |
| kungfuman wrote: |
| Schools and recruiters will tell you lots of things that may not turn out to be true. |
Can you please give more examples? I want to make sure i'll be ready for anything.
Thanks. |
No. Search out older topics about the pros and cons of recruiters and the lies told to foreigners by schools and recruiters. There's plenty of information on this site. |
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Professional TEFLer
Joined: 09 May 2013
Posts: 77
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| Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| kungfuman wrote: |
| Professional TEFLer wrote: |
| kungfuman wrote: |
| Schools and recruiters will tell you lots of things that may not turn out to be true. |
Can you please give more examples? I want to make sure i'll be ready for anything.
Thanks. |
No. Search out older topics about the pros and cons of recruiters and the lies told to foreigners by schools and recruiters. There's plenty of information on this site. |
OK, I will. Thanks amigo! |
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BizLiz
Joined: 20 May 2013
Posts: 30
Location: China
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GreatApe
Joined: 11 Apr 2012
Posts: 582
Location: South of Heaven and East of Nowhere
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| Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 12:39 am Post subject: |
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Professional TEFLer, you never mentioned what province you were going to work in (or maybe I missed it in some of your other posts).
My advice would be to ALWAYS try to come to China on a Z visa, but particularly if you are going to be working in Guangdong province. If you don't originally come to Guangdong on a Z visa, you will eventually have to go back to your home country and get one (assuming you continue to live and work in Guangdong).
Regardless of where you live and work, however, it's just a good idea to come on a Z visa right from the get-go.
Recruiters (and schools) often try to skirt the law and get teachers here on the cheap. It's no skin off their backs really and the school doesn't invest a bunch of money in a teacher's visa without knowing if they like the teacher or not. However, it's not convenient for the teacher! You should be suspicious of any recruiter who tells you anything other than to arrive with your Z visa in-hand.
Trips to Hong Kong for visa purposes can be a real hassle, whether you're paying for the trip or not. Ideally, the school will pay for your visa and your trip expenses. I keep all my receipts and get reimbursed for all the money I spend on my visa within a month after the paperwork is complete and the new visa is received.
I arrived in H.K. with $1,800 USD and if I had it to do over, I'd come with no less than $3,000 ... it just doesn't go very far in H.K. and if you're stuck there waiting for paperwork problems to get worked out and you're not yet drawing a salary, well ... it can make a person feel a bit stressed.
Good Luck! ... and ENJOY!
--GA |
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zactherat
Joined: 24 Aug 2011
Posts: 295
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| Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 1:48 am Post subject: |
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| Professional TEFLer wrote: |
| I'll have a round 1,000 dollars when I arrive. Not enough? |
Basically no, it's not enough and it will leave you vulnerable.
Just think about what might happen if...
- the job turns out to be a total nightmare and you want to go home. You will be trapped. Many jobs here (especially bottom-rung jobs) do turn out to be a nightmare, in terms of the people and/or place.
- you break a leg and need to go to hospital. You will have to borrow money from strangers to pay for services that you cannot evaluate.
- you need to buy something for your apartment. You might be sleeping without a mattress, no AC, etc.
I agree with 'GreatApe', $3000 would be more realistic. Ever since I have been in TEFL I have always had a relocation fund on hand. I have never had to use it, but the peace of mind it has given me is priceless.
I worked with a guy that came with nothing, got into debt upon arrival and never recovered. He hated China and was removed from his position and was totally stuck. First came depression, then it got more severe and was unpleasant for everyone around him. This guy was in his 30s too, not a fledgling like you.. how he could get himself into that position is just beyond me.
Save the money first, then come to China safe in the knowledge that you are financially independent. Anything less would be irresponsible. |
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kungfuman
Joined: 31 May 2012
Posts: 1749
Location: In My Own Private Idaho
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| Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 2:41 am Post subject: |
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I worked with a guy who was sent to HK for a visa and told to pay for it himself and the school would reimburse him when he returned.
Went to HK and the visa office didn't like one of his documents - so they rejected his Z visa.
He got a tourist visa and went back to Suzhou - where the school told him he was SOL - they were not paying for another trip to HK.
He had to cover the cost of both trips and then the school fired him cause he was slightly incompetent.
The cost of the 2 trips plus the visa fees set him back about $1000 usd as he had to cover 2 round trip flights from Shanghai, hotels, visa costs etc.
This guy has never recovered and is always sending texts to everyone he knows asking to borrow money.
I don't lend money - but I did buy him dinner one night. |
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