Job Discussion Forums

[Cubism]

Hi,

What's your advice? The uni recruited me directly (using one of their teachers) & that person now says she's not responsible for how the FAO's too busy to get my Z visa done and resident permit.

My embassy called & said the police were rounding up ft's now who didn't have the correct teaching visa & res permit, and to stop teaching until the FAO got it done. They also said that many unis now found that changing to a Z was harder than ever so just weren't doing it.

So Iwent to the FAO and said very nicely I couldn't teach until he got me the legal papers and he said, 'MMM MMM Not your fault. NNMMMG.'

Here's some background.

I came in on an F visa. I went to apply (she said everything was ready to get a Z visa) & the Chinese Embassy said they'd have to give me an F visa for entry; but that would be fine. The recruiter promised that the FAO would change it immediately. Two months later, no visa. No bank account. They did pay me, after I hounded them for a week, and they did pay in full on the last possible day in the contract.

Now I'm not sure what I'll do if the FAO just continues to be 'too busy' to get my visa. I wonder if they already were turned down. He has a record of letting ft's just... be without visas, even charging them rent while waiting for him to get them visas that often don't appear.

I'm retirement age, so this was my last shot. No other takers & now I'm really ready to call it quits after this ends, hopefully with 10 months wages.

[wangdaning]

You were hired directly and then mention a recrui..oh never mind

[damn_my_eyes]

[roadwalker]

OP, is this a public university? I don't know what advice to give except to leave, but if you are willing to risk trouble with the PSB for the job/salary, then that's your prerogative. Please name and shame this place after you are paid and have left, whenever that is.

edit: I guess it might be the age thing, and no one is willing to take the blame for giving you residency. Not much to be done but worry about consequences. They really seem to be getting serious about age now.

[Non Sequitur]

Do the other FTs have Zs?

[BleedingBlue]

[Cubism]

Not why I forgot that crucial issue, but you're right on. I will follow your advice. I agree that the age thing is increasingly insurmountable, esp. for new hires.

They only have 1 ft around at a time. The last one was 35 or so. They gave him similar treatment re visa. But he was the legal age to teach.

And I mentioned 'recruiter' in that the head of a dept. here 'recruited' me. She wrote me & did all the paperwork. The FAO stamped the contract and handed me my money last month.

OK, will do no more than drop by to see how things are going. Not one unfriendly word.

Otherwise, will focus on getting out in one piece. Many thanks.

[Non Sequitur]

[Cubism]

The Ch Embassy said it was sufficient. The uni said they'd change it. Ten months on a legal visa was my contrctual right and belief.

Thanks for being distant and hostile. and for your superior tone.

[Cubism]

Good advice. The contract does say that they'll pay airfare, both ways for the 10 months. Most places give one way for one semester.

If they can't legally hire me at 65, I can't work for them any more. Used to be that when your paperwork was in the works, you were legal. But my embassy says that's not true any more. BTW, the emb got my phone number when I started noticing hostile vibes/ a change in the air. I phoned to tell them where I was.

I hate to think of losing all the set-up cash. Hope the uni pays my way back home.

Many thanks!

[kungfuman]

Working on an F visa? No problem from me. Guy at my part time job is doing it as he doesn't have 2 years exp to get a z visa.

I assume you either get it extended or take a day trip to HK.

Just make sure they pay you in full and that should be number 1 worry.

Don't overstay - that's also important. Overstaying is where you really get in trouble. Your school won't report you as they get fined and in trouble as well.

Don't worry about the douchebags who lecture you about being here illegally etc cause they are just douchebags.

Enjoy your time in China while you can and keep hounding your school for the correct payments etc.

[ESL104]

I also don't see the issue with working on the wrong visa. It's done all over Asia.

If anyone gets on their high horse but has even one private student, or does a single hour of paid work that is not for their primary employer, they're breaking the law too. I'd suggest the overwhelming majority of teachers in SEA break the law of their host countries in this way - simply because salaries just aren't that great in one full time job.

[Alien abductee]

[ESL104]

[Alien abductee]

In my nearly 12 years here I haven't heard of anyone with a residence permit (legal employment) being fined or deported because they worked somewhere else part time, and it's not clear if the part time work is actually illegal. Many contracts, mine included, say part time work is prohibited unless your employer gives permission. If your boss asks you to quit such work then you'd be wise to do so and not incur anyone's wrath. Any raids always seem to be aimed at cowboy outfits who exclusively hire tourists.

As for your scenario regarding the guy with the F or L visa, sure they can quit their job and remain here legally as a tourist, but how long is that going to last without any income? You can change jobs quickly enough to get a new revenue stream but then you're more likely to take the first job that comes along (without the chance to check the place out, who knows if you'll get paid on time or at all). I'll also add that many of the stories of serious exploitation on this forum usually begin with the words "I didn't have a Z visa........"