Job Discussion Forums

thenational · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 17

I received a work permit in the mail from a university, and I haven't yet applied for the Z visa, but now a much preferred university offered me a position. Has anyone been in this position and know what my options are?

You can only be given one work permit at a time, so:

Can I get the previous university to cancel the work permit? Is this a long process or can they do it online? Would I have to pay them a fee for the hassle? Are there any other long-term issues with this?

Can you get a new work permit from the preferred university immediately after cancellation of the previous one, or must I wait for a period of time?

Thank you.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Hmm..well it seems with the new nationwide computerized tracking system that you are locked into the original employer, and hence would need to get it cancelled.

Since one HR insider claimed that it costs about 14,000RMB(really?) to get to that point for the employer to issue the letter, I would assume that they will not be happy with your change of direction.

I am not sure if the system has been implemented in every jurisdiction yet. It may be possible to ask your new desired employer to start an application which will give feedback in the beginning as to your status.

You can take it from there.

thenational · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 17

Thanks for the feedback Jim.

A number like 14,000 rmb makes me hesitant to begin to move forward with the cancellation process with my original employer in any way. As they would not be happy about a cancellation, perhaps a blacklist would be in my future or some other mark on my record.

It's a difficult position to be put in, to even test the waters about a potential cancellation with the original employer.

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

"I received a work permit in the mail from a university, and I haven't yet applied for the Z visa..."

Can such things be?

Are you in your home country or in China?

thenational · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 17

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

I haven't been active on here for a while because I have been so busy and have had things at home to deal with. Someone sent me a pm regarding this thread so I will add my two cents..

I think the OP is referring to the invitation letter which is an invitation to work not a work permit per se.

As you have already been issued this it will be in the SAFEA system which is now nationally linked. It will have to be cancelled before you can apply elsewhere. You would need to approach the establishment that issued it to do so.

The amount quoted is a ballpoint figure which probably varies depending on where the applying institution is located and other factors which go far beyond the simple published government charges. However it is going to be at least 70% of that even for those located in tier one cities with the best relationships with the officials.

If your school were to apply they would be informed almost immediately that a match has been found with your data and that would block you from continuing the new application until the old one was voided or cancelled. The majority of the application process is now online and has been set up to prevent this kind of situation.

I personally think it is a good thing, as some others have pointed out on here and elsewhere it could be open to manipulation especially with some unscrupulous employers denying release letters and the like, it effectively ties you to one place now.

You could ' test the water' by approaching your employer and asking if they are able to cancel it but in doing that you risk exposing yourself as a potential no show and will highly likely get their backs up, perhaps if you gave a ' family reason' they might be sympathetic. There are many things to consider that would influence their decision, size of school, how many foreigners are they licensed to have, relationships with the powers at be, proactive FAO, really so many.

What I will say for certain is that unless you detach yourself from that invitation letter you won't be getting a new one. They do eventually expire, I think it is 180 days the last time I checked, I would need to check this again as things evolve constantly in this field.

Let us know how you get on anyway.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I have always received a Work Permit and a Visa Notification or Invitation Letter, to bring to the consulate. And always in the mail (or by other express courier.)

Doesn't it seem early, or very late for a visa package to arrive? If this is for Spring Term, it sorta makes sense. There are still over 2 months left to teach.

OP personally I'd probably stick to the first school. If you are absolutely sure the second one is a better situation for you, check with the second school on how to proceed. Hopefully they will have someone in the foreign exchange office who understands what is needed.

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

As often is the case with these scenarios without actually having sight of the documents that the OP has received the information and advice offered is based on assumptions. There are a multitude of terminologies which are used and even the seasoned posters on here have a hard time these days keeping track of what is what.

Assuming that the OP has received an invitation letter from SAFEA, that is he/she has been approved as a Foreign Expert this would be accompanied by a request to issue the z visa and some other documents relative to the intended educational establishment to be presented to the Chinese Embassy which is detailed on one of the forms.

This is often misunderstood by the less informed to be an actual work permit, it is not, it is an invitation to apply for a z visa. This is simply a vehicle to get you into China and an indication to the immigration authorities that you are coming to China for work purposes. Once you arrive in China you have thirty days to transfer this into a resident permit which gives you permission to remain for the duration of your contract or in some instances slightly longer.

It is unusual to be receiving this at this time of year particularly if it is for a position beginning in the fall. The OP was not overly clear on this point so I can't offer any insight into why this is, only he/she can.

The salient point seems to be whether he/she can ditch the first school who sent the invitation letter and proceed to a second more favorable one.

As I said in my last post, in the past you could get away with it. Changes in the system have almost eradicated this loophole now so without cancelling the original you are tied to that school/job.

You would need to negotiate with the first school about the cancellation of the invitation letter. There are far too many variables to go into here as to their opinion and or wish to do this for you. You may be lucky, you may not.

The above is assuming that the OP has actually got an invitation letter from the Foreign Experts Bureau and everything has been done through the SAFEA system and he/she is not mistaking the ' invitation letter ' for another type of visa which opens another can of worms altogether.

mrpianoman · Joined: 27 Mar 2016 Posts: 171

Assuming that the OP has received an invitation letter from SAFEA, that is he/she has been approved as a Foreign Expert this would be accompanied by a request to issue the z visa and some other documents relative to the intended educational establishment to be presented to the Chinese Embassy which is detailed on one of the forms.

I thought you didn't need to show any academic documents to get your Z visa in your home country. That's what the visa agent told me anyway. I think you present your academic documents once you get to china for a foreign experts certificate, which I think is issued by SAFEA.

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

thenational · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 17

The documents received were the invitation letter and the work permit to apply for a Z visa. I lived in China for a long stretch so I understand the process in general.

From what I understand it's the work permit portion of the invitation letter/work permit that locks you into one employer.

Good advice all around. I'll probably stick with the original university, but if anyone is aware of any other options I have please let me know.

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

When did SAFEA become involved in issuing letters of invitation?

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

They provide the invitation to work as a foreign expert. Otherwise known Foreign Experts Bureau.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

"Good advice all around. I'll probably stick with the original university, but if anyone is aware of any other options I have please let me know."

Pay a Chinese hacker to delete it. Considering how shoddy their government systems are, I am only half kidding.

Maybe you could so something so they would withdraw the offer? Tell them you are VERY gay and ask if it is alright to date the students. Send a picture of an Indian in a turban and portray it as yourself. They really hate them. Nothing like saying you belong to the Fulan Gong that would get the government to take notice of you. Just play their prejudices against them to free yourself so you can get what you want.