Job Discussion Forums

[L188FE]

I have a signed and sealed contract to teach in China. The FAO is now handling the work permit and has sent me a SECOND (and different) contract to sign. This contract is numbered and is from the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs, P.R. China She says this second contract is "only used to apply for working permit, nothing to do with the real contract. So don't worry." I am, of course, reluctant to sign a second contract for any reason and would worry. Has anyone been asked to do this?

[Bud Powell]

This contract is numbered and is from the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs, P.R.

I've signed SAFEA contracts that did not bear the proper red registration number on the front. The school just didn't have any more original forms at the time. I got my RP and FEC with no problem. I've signed contracts that bore properly numbered registration stamps on the front, and there was no change in procedure.

You must be in China for the school to give you a registered SAFEA contract. Did you sign the first contract when you were in your home country? If so, then what you are being told is backwards. Your contract SHOULD bear a registration number, though many don't even though they're recognized by the state.

Have you read the two contracts? Are the terms the same? If not, then question the terms on both. If the terms are the same, then there's no problem. The FAO is playing by the book. You should get a copy of the registered contract.

If the terms of the contract are not the same, the numbered SAFEA contract is the one that is the one that'll be produced if there's a contract dispute. Read carefully.

[bestteacher2012]

Sounds like the original contract you signed was an informal contract between you and the school. This kind of contract is more like an attachment to the official contract.

The SAFEA contract that your FAO wants you to sign now is for the work permit, this is the official contract. As long as the main details such as dates and salary are the same and if you are happy with it, then I wouldn't worry too much.

[Non Sequitur]

[Mr. Leafy]