Job Discussion Forums

VS · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 9

Hi,

This is my first post and was wondering if anyone here can help me out. I'm interested in teaching in Beijing China however my only concern is that I have Hep B. I'm not considered to be a chronic active carrier however I can still transmit the virus eventhough I doesn't have any affect on me. I know that on the Health Certificate they test for Hep B. Is this still grounds for not allowing me to stay? Has anyone personally had this problem or know of anyone? Has anyone ever been rejected with another kind of disease? Is there anyway around this? Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

VS

davis · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 1:24 am Post subject:

Sorry to say but once you are tested for Hep B it's quite likely you will be told you can't teach. At the school I worked last year they let 3 teachers (one was head of the English Department) and several students go because they were Hep B carriers. About the only way around it would be to come here on an F visa and get that extended. Not the ideal way to go but not uncommon either. Good luck.

VS · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 9

I had no idea you can get in with an F visa if your teaching. Do a lot of places over there issue you that visa if you request it? How long can you stay with and F visa? What are the consequences if you get caught doing that?

Klamm · Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 121

How lame. Hep B is endemic in China. I can't believe they disallow carriers to teach. Ridiculous. Wouldn't fly in the west. I feel for you.

K.

davis · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 2:26 am Post subject:

What was I thinking? It may be a little difficult to get an F visa to begin with. I came on an L visa that I got at the airport in Hong Kong. I had offers from several schools so I thought I'd do some traveling and check out some of the schools to see which one I liked. The school I decided on was new and couldn't do the Z visa at that time but they did get my L visa changed to an F and then paid to have it renewed every 3 months. Even so,everyone had to be tested for Hep B, students and teachers alike. Maybe it was a way for the school medic to make some money because later they gave thousands of anti Hep shots that had to be paid for by the individual on the receiving end. At any rate there are plenty of schools that can only change your L to an F visa. They will call you an Educational Consultant. The best thing to do is get on line and start e-mailing schools. Then come here and check them out. There are schools in nearly every city that would like to hire a foreigner but can't do the Z visa. You will be more at the schools mercy than otherwise but not all schools are bad. I suppose they(the PSB) can fine you or deport you or both if they want to get nasty but I know plenty of people here on L or F visas and have never heard of anyone having a problem. Another thing you could do is come here and go thru the Z visa process, take your physical and see what happens. They may let you slide thru simply because your a foreigner and that particular school has lots of guanxi. If it doesn't work out you can always find another school in the area.

VS · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 9

If I was able to get an L to and F and they tested me. Would they still kick me out? It was the school that tested you and not a doctor right? Sorry I just wanted to clarify that.

Also if I get fined or deported wouldn't that screw up my chances in going back to China later on if I wanted to get a visa?

davis · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 12:32 pm Post subject:

As to whether or not the school will test you when they change your visa is a crapshoot. In my case it was the school's policy that everyone be tested even though we were never given a physical like you get when you receive a Z visa and health certificate and residence permit. I was teaching at a private boarding school. A public school may or may not test you. A language training center would probably not bother. Your chances of being deported are slim but if you were deported you would probably not be welcome back anytime soon. There's a certain amount of risk in coming to China regardless of whether or not you have a Z visa or Hep B. I came over on a whim and I'm still here after two years but I may get out on good behavior next summer. Cool

VS · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 9

wooohooooooooooooo!!!! Came back from the Doc today and found out that I tested negative for the Hep B surface antigent!!!! Looks like I'll be going to China after all!!!! I'm so happy and can't wait!!!! Very Happy