|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
tyroleanhat
Joined: 21 Oct 2013
Posts: 209
Location: Austria / China
|
 Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 11:04 am Post subject: Z-visa easier to organize, if changing job? |
 |
|
can you help me understand - if I am already working in China (lets say in the winter semester), how is the visa procedure if I am changing job for the spring semester?
Is it safe to say that employers prefer people already working in China, because of less hassle with the visa-procedure? Or does it make no difference?
Also, has somebody of you been in that above situation before? Got a so-so offer (because applied too late in summer, many positions already taken) but still accepting the job to have a springboard, knowing that after one semester you will probably find something much better.
The contract from the first school is for one year, so that is the next problem - requesting them to change the contract into a one-term contract (giving me the option to prolong, in case i dont find anything new)
Does this sound like a possibility? I know they won't like it, but also i noticed a certain desparateness to have me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
3701 W.119th
Joined: 26 Feb 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Central China
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 1:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You only really get one Z Visa, as a means to enter the country. For a new job you would be renewing your residency permit, and if working in a different province, getting a new FEC.
To be honest, it's all a big faff either way. I think it's cheaper for all involved if you just renew the RP / get a new FEC, rather than going home for a new Z Visa. So this seems the best option.
Of course, this is based on someone entering China on a Z Visa, completing their one year contract, then changing to another job after the contract is up. Breaking your contract and doing a runner on the school who obtained your Z Visa (I think this is what you're suggesting?), well that opens up a whole other shitstorm.
| tyroleanhat wrote: |
The contract from the first school is for one year, so that is the next problem - requesting them to change the contract into a one-term contract (giving me the option to prolong, in case i dont find anything new) |
I can't believe you actually posted this. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tyroleanhat
Joined: 21 Oct 2013
Posts: 209
Location: Austria / China
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 1:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I see.. Yes, not going home having the Z-visa hassle all over again, thats of course along my lines.
| 3701 W.119th wrote: |
| tyroleanhat wrote: |
The contract from the first school is for one year, so that is the next problem - requesting them to change the contract into a one-term contract (giving me the option to prolong, in case i dont find anything new) |
I can't believe you actually posted this. |
Why not? The job is not too bad, it's just that i have a strong feeling getting a better one in spring.
So, that means one-term contracts are very unlikely to get?
What if the school thinks "better to have him for one term, than not having him at all?" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 924
Location: China
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 2:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You can but ask, and if the school accepts then that's great. They're unlikely to accept however, if only because they would then have to pay the same amount for the new teachers RP as they will for yours, effectively doubling their costs. Not to mention they'll have to go to all the bother of finding and recruiting another teacher, all because you think you might get a better offer somewhere else. And what if you get an even better offer than the better offer? At what point do you stay and honour your commitment?
For me, the right thing to do would be to stick it out for the whole year, unless it's an absolute nightmare, and then move on to the better offer. That way I'm honouring my commitment to the employer, getting the correct paperwork to enable me to move on easily, and also staying in the cycle of autumn to autumn contracts which makes it much easier to find the good jobs.
Incidentally, signing for only six months is unlikely to give you
| Quote: |
| the option to prolong, in case i dont find anything new |
. The employer is likely to start looking for a replacement for you at the earliest possible opportunity, so while you're sniffing around for that better job, your shoes will already have been filled. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tyroleanhat
Joined: 21 Oct 2013
Posts: 209
Location: Austria / China
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 2:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| doogsville wrote: |
For me, the right thing to do would be to stick it out for the whole year, . |
The thing is, i only want a university job, but this is not a university job. So i thought about doing it anyway, for one semester, if that means less visa problems.
Of course I could also pass on the offer, and wait until I can start in spring in the right job. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 924
Location: China
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
| tyroleanhat wrote: |
The thing is, i only want a university job, but this is not a university job. So i thought about doing it anyway, for one semester, if that means less visa problems.
Of course I could also pass on the offer, and wait until I can start in spring in the right job. |
I don't understand why you're fixating on the Spring semester, especially if you're looking for a uni job. The university year runs from September to July of the next year. Spring is the beginning of the second semester of the year. Most universities will already have teachers in place. The few universities looking to replace teachers may have problems that caused the teachers to quit early anyway. It seems to me you have two choices. Take the job you've been offered now, do it for the year and apply for university jobs starting March/April 2016 which is when the hiring season starts, or wait until next year to start work. That is, if you really have to have a university job.
As to fewer visa problems, that depends on whether you get a new job in the same locale as the old job. Changing provinces, or even cities in China from what I hear, can involve just as much hassle as getting a z visa back home. More so if your previous employers won't play ball and issue the necessary paperwork on completion of your contract for whatever reason. I would imagine employers prefer people who are already in China because they already know the ropes here, not because it's any easier to get them the work permit and resident permit. the only difference for them in going down the z visa route is that they have to get a certificate for foreign experts and send it, along with the invitation letter, to your home country. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
3701 W.119th
Joined: 26 Feb 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Central China
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| doogsville wrote: |
| Changing provinces, or even cities in China from what I hear, can involve just as much hassle as getting a z visa back home. |
Nailed it, doogsville.
I found the Z Visa process really easy. Wait for an envelope to drop through my door, take it to the consulate, bingo. Might have cost my employer a lot, but for me it was simple.
Renewing your RP when moving to another province, though...
| doogsville wrote: |
| More so if your previous employers won't play ball and issue the necessary paperwork on completion of your contract for whatever reason. |
It's not even entirely a case of them playing ball. Say your employer has a policy where release docs can't be issued until the day you actually finish your contract (or thereabouts). Seems reasonable enough, yes? But what if your contract finishes the same day your RP expires? So maybe your employer gives you pseudo-compassionate leave to go a week early (5 working days), down to your new province with all the docs to try to renew. Then it's still likely touch-and-go. And that's best case scenario (nice, accommodating boss, good working relationship, leaving on really good terms).
Honestly, switching jobs here has been a real ball-ache. Z visa was a piece of piss. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wangdaning
Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 3154
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
But why would your RP end on the same day as your contract? Not sure, mine has always had about a week in the middle.
I will admit, I have never changed jobs after getting my RP. Also, the OP is asking about leaving early, so that would mean there should still be time left on the RP. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Deats
Joined: 02 Jan 2015
Posts: 503
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 11:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you can't find your dream uni job now, then why do you think you'll find one in spring? It's easier to get a good contract starting in Sept, but finding one starting in March will not be easy.
If unis lose someone halfway through the year, it is likely that you wouldn't want to work for such a place anyway. Not always the case, as the teacher could have left for other reasons, but usually it's cos they've done a runner.
Better to apply in April and May and then you have a choice of good unis. I always check the job boards out of interest and uni jobs have already dried up for the year. Not surprising really.
Did you try and apply this year and didn't find something? Or you were too late? If it's the former, then you might want to question whether you will ever find the job you require/desire.
Any school willing to offer a 1 semester contract must be DESPERATE... so why the heck would you want to work for them? 6 months of misery... sounds fun! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Timer
Joined: 24 Oct 2010
Posts: 173
Location: China
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 9:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
| wangdaning wrote: |
| But why would your RP end on the same day as your contract? |
In Guangzhou at least, if you pay for a RP that is less than one year (cheapest option), it will last the duration of your contract. If you pay for 1-3 years (twice the cost) it will last for roughly the whole year (for a standard 10 month contract). I suspect this is a city/provincial thing like most issues in China and could be different in other areas of the country.
Basically if your employer goes the cheap route you get screwed with a short RP. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
