Job Discussion Forums

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:23 am Post subject: Leaving China on a Z-visa?

Just wondering...

If you enter China on a Z-visa, which means it needs to be converted to a residence permit, what happens, if you don't find the job is what you were told? Or if for whatever reason, you want to leave.

Can you depart China on a Z-visa? If it's less than 30 days since you entered China...

Or do you have to convert it over to a residence permit first?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

I agree with John, but here's the catch: You probably won't find out that the job isn't what you agreed to before you left your point of origin until you arrive and sign the contract, get settled, get your class schedule, and start classes.

If the living arrangement/accommodations, class schedule, class conditions, and the contract you sign upon arrival are appreciably different upon your arrival, you shouldn't sign the contract.

It happened to me once. In retrospect, I should have deferred signing the contract and not allowed the FAO to procure the residence permit until amendments were made to the contract. That's why it's a good idea to find out the address of the city FAO is before you even arrive. The city FAO is required to respond to any and all complaints from foreign experts whether they work for private or public schools, private enterprise or otherwise.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 1:43 am Post subject:

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Actually, one can leave China anytime one wishes. If you are in violation of visa regs (overstay or whatever) there may be a fine (I believe it's 500 RMB per day, 3000 max), but they ain't gonna MAKE you stay here. This is assuming that one hasn't been a blatant scofflaw and decided to stay for weeks or months or years ......

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

Bear in mind though that as soon as you arrive the school will probably ask for your passport, as they'll be applying for your residence permit.

And you can't leave China without your passport. I'm sure the school would give it back to you of course, just as soon as you pay your breach penalty.

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

If a school withholds your passport, report it to your embassy.....

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

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

I have used 'FAO' to describe the school dept that handles FTs, exchange programmes and foreign student enrollments.
Good to specify 'city FAO' to describe the local district contact point for visa/residence/contract issues.
Can someone clarify whether the elapsing of the number of days for the school to register your residence, precludes ongoing discussion of points in the contract?
I was once caught with a different contact presented for me to sign after arrival, to the one sent to me at home to consider as a job offer.
I was one of 6 new teachers in this situation. 3 of the 6 retaliated by signing for 6m only compared to the 10 months (2 semesters) they originally agreed to.
I don't know if the school learned anything as I didn't hang around after my 2nd semester ended.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

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

But the school has no power to stop you still trying to iron out things in the contract - right?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I would think not; I'm not sure what they COULD do. They certainly can't MAKE you sign a contract....

Kysorb · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 253 Location: Beijing

The biggest problem with this idea is that within the first week of you being in China the school is going to need to turn your passport over to the PSB for 3 weeks to get your Z visa changed into a work permit. during this time there is really no way for you to leave without them knowing because if you wanted to leave you are going to probably need there help to retrieve it from the PSB.

Then like another poster mentioned there is always that pesky breach penalty they are going to talk to you about if you tell them your leaving..

Basically, I think to pull your planned evasion off correctly you would need to put up with the job at least until you get your passport back with a RP in it.. Then you can break your contract by running away in the middle of the night leaving your poor sucker co-workers to pick up your mess for 5 weeks while the school finds an emergency replacement.

muffintop · Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 803

It does not matter what visa or rp you have...if you want to leave of course you can do so. I am surprised this is even a question.

If your passport is at the PSB...go and get it. AFAIK it does not leave the building.

Kysorb · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 253 Location: Beijing