Job Discussion Forums

natjones · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 30 Location: USA

Hi Everyone,

I have an unusual question, just throwing it out there.

About 2 years ago, I wanted to teach in China after teaching in Korea and Taiwan. I have visited before. I applied to numerous jobs, but got a really good offer from a recruiter with a bad reputation. They let me interview with the school directly, which was cool, and the teachers there, who were all nice and gave great reviews.

I know that I was an idiot to deal with this recruiter, please don't remind me Sad

So, I signed the contract and sent it off, then received an invitation letter. The name of the school wasn't specified on the invitation letter; the recruiter's company was.

I was tipped off by the teachers I'd talked to before that another teacher had arrived and taken the position that I'd been promised. I contacted the recruitment agency, and they admitted that they'd actually be putting me in an elementary school nearby.

I decided not to go to work at the school, and didn't even get a Z visa or go to China.

10 months later I happened to be in Shanghai travelling, and a friend got me a job that was able to change L visas to Work Permits (and had done so for many teachers). When I submitted my visa, the school applying on my behalf was told that I had to get a letter of release from my old employer, or otherwise I couldn't get a residence permit.

The bad recruitment agency demanded 9,000 yuan. No.

So my question is, am I ineligible to hold another work permit for that one application, even though I didn't even get a Z-Visa?

Also, if I wanted to study in China, would I be able to get a residence permit for that, or am I ineligible for any residence permit?

Really confusing, I know. It's my fault, so in the end if I'm not eligible, meh. Everyone who I've asked doesn't know, and while it may be fine, I don't want to pay for everything only to go over there and have my work/residence permit rejected.

The HR person at my old would-be school said that she thought it would also be fine if I waited 1 year.

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

So spend a year in Cambodia sowing your wild peccadilloes, and then in the proper season apply to China and pick and choose the job you like. Lie is short, but it ain't that short!

RW8677 · Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Posts: 60

Get a new passport

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

If you weren't issued a work permit by the consulate and didn't work there, the school can't require a release. You can't even secure a release letter. You weren't employed. No fully-executed contract exists if you received no contract with the school's chops.

It sounds to me that

A. You're going about looking for a job with an L visa which is a bad idea

and

B. You're dealing with a screwy recruiter. Who is the recruiter?

natjones · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 30 Location: USA

Thanks for the replies!

Would getting a new passport really help? Mine expires in just three years anyway.

Also, at the time 10 months ago I happened to be in China and just got a job from the L visa due to that offer, but I wouldn't do that again. I'm in the USA now so would just apply for a Z visa here.

The whole situation is really weird and I'm not sure why a release letter was ever requested.

It's been more than 1 year now anyway.

The recruiter was Hangzhou Helen Sad

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

9,000 is a lot. My friend ran into this situation. He hired a lawyer to write a letter explaining why they had to issue the letter of release. Apparently it worked.

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

[quote="Bud Powell"] If you weren't issued a work permit by the consulate and didn't work there, the school can't require a release. You can't even secure a release letter. You weren't employed. No fully-executed contract exists if you received no contract with the school's chops.
[quote]

That depends on what stage he reached in the Z visa application. If Mr. natjones signed a contract and sent it to the school, and this contract was submitted to SAFEA, then SAFEA might know about it, especially if it happened recently. However, Bud, I think you're right. I think his new school wants to make it look as if he is transferring an FEC from an old company to a new one, which doesn't make sense either. When I came to Shanghai two years ago, I was allowed to get an FEC with an L visa. Now, native speakers of English must go to Hong Kong for a Z visa, while non-native speakers must go to their home countries.

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

Get a new recruiter and apply for a job in a different province (though the latter shouldn't be required in order for you to return).

The release letter situation sounds really nutty to me since the OP is in his home country. My understanding is that a release isn't necessary if the FT returns to his home country. One job went belly up really fast back in 2009, and I took a flight home. I returned to another job with no release letter, and no one asked.

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

[quote="Shanghai Noon"][quote="Bud Powell"] If you weren't issued a work permit by the consulate and didn't work there, the school can't require a release. You can't even secure a release letter. You weren't employed. No fully-executed contract exists if you received no contract with the school's chops.