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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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 Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: True |
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| portnoy58 wrote: |
| nomad soul wrote: |
portnoy58:
As I recall, on other threads, you voiced your concern about your age (over 55). However, you have a PGCEi and experience teaching math. Surely that would net you a position with a legit school and no hassles. |
My experience is that the two schools who have offered me employment also want me to enter on F or L visas. The first one was quite insidious and played it out for a long time. |
My point was that you not bother with places that are a hassle in terms of getting the proper Z visa. China's a big country; you're not stuck with just those two schools. |
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hz88
Joined: 27 Sep 2015
Posts: 162
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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This topic seems to pop up over and over again so I will add my take on it.
It is illegal to work on anything other than a z visa and resident permit. Everybody knows that people do and as has been said before if you are caught then you are the one facing the music.
Some schools, even those who can have licences to issue z visas do ask their teachers to come to China initially on 'another' visa for a variety of reasons. Its not always laziness on their part. The usual reason is time. If they need someone now then it is easier for them to do the processing with the teacher on site.
We have had this situation and if the new teacher does this then they do not actually teach during the two weeks it takes us from when they arrive to get the documents. Our province still allows Hong Kong processing and so its not a case of them having to return to their home country (yet). We make it clear to them they will be paid normal salary while waiting but they can't teach.
An example this year was that the incoming teacher was in Thailand and was from Canada. She was having trouble fulfilling the health exam requirements and because she was not on any kind of permanent residency in Thailand there was some doubt as to whether they would issue her the z visa in Thailand even if we did that.
She arrived towards the end of the summer vacation so there was no classes anyway.
Everyone knows obtaining health checks in western countries is ridiculously expensive, so she having spoke with current teachers who had done the process in Hong Kong and with our assurance came in on an L visa. Everything went smoothly and she saved a lot of trouble and expense going home and dealing with this part of the equation.
It is really up to you. If you have time on your hands then I suggest you wait for the correct documents to be sent to you, if you are satisfied by speaking with existing teachers and your gut feeling and make it clear that you are happy to come but not work in the interim period then you should be okay.
Yes, there are sadly many unscrupulous schools, agencies who will mislead you but there are also schools that can do the work properly that are simply trying to expedite the process. |
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roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
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| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2016 8:32 am Post subject: |
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| portnoy58 wrote: |
| roadwalker wrote: |
One big reason that a school would ask a teacher to come without a work visa, is that the school is not bound to hire the teacher when they arrive. So if conditions change, and they don't need another teacher after all, or if they need a teacher but the newly arrived one doesn't seem to fit the bill, then the school can just ignore the teacher and say goodbye, and good luck in China!
Fitting the bill can be anything good or bad: Not blond enough; not European-looking enough; too creepy looking; too inebriated; not perky enough; not smiling enoug; etc. |
But there must ways they can do that regardless of entering on a Z visa - I wasn't aware a Z visa made you untouchable. |
No, a z visa won't make you untouchable and things can go south. On the other hand, the school has spent time and money to get the permissions (work permit and invitation letter) and have connected their schools name and yours on government databases. The potential for blame to attach to the school is higher with that connection, so the school will generally try to work things out.
In China, I have only worked at universities. At a private language center the bottom line may override the fear of blame more often - I don't know. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2016 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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Everyone knows obtaining health checks in western countries is ridiculously expensive, so she having spoke with current teachers who had done the process in Hong Kong and with our assurance came in on an L visa. Everything went smoothly and she saved a lot of trouble and expense going home and dealing with this part of the equation.
Isn't it widely known now that schools in some provinces i.e. Guangdong have an easier route than others.
This post needs that detail. |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
Everyone knows obtaining health checks in western countries is ridiculously expensive, so she having spoke with current teachers who had done the process in Hong Kong and with our assurance came in on an L visa. Everything went smoothly and she saved a lot of trouble and expense going home and dealing with this part of the equation.
Isn't it widely known now that schools in some provinces i.e. Guangdong have an easier route than others.
This post needs that detail. |
I agree. In some provinces it is simply not possible to take this route at this time. Nothing more painful than a misguided school or someone at Dave's assuring you can do so, only to arrive and find out you need to fly home. I know, it happened to be a few years back. |
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Tazz
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 12:58 am Post subject: |
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Most annoying to me is the HRD/FAO that leaves the processing of resident card/ permit until the last moment-for those of us who entered the country end of August on the Z visa.....stuck on campus, unable to really travel during the vacation week cos our passports are away being processed...  |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 1:16 am Post subject: |
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Generally if you have a photo copy of front (name and pic) and visa stamp page in your possession you should be OK travelling.
Some schools pre prepare for the residence application after you sign up.
Make sure you travel on the same passport as you apply on though.
PS Always have your FAO mobile number on you too. |
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The bear
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Posts: 483
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| Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 10:53 am Post subject: |
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| Tazz wrote: |
| Most annoying to me is the HRD/FAO that leaves the processing of resident card/ permit until the last moment-for those of us who entered the country end of August on the Z visa.....stuck on campus, unable to really travel during the vacation week cos our passports are away being processed... |
I'm in that situation. Renew slip submitted on they day my RP expired. You get given a slip/receipt which acts as a RP/passport so you can do travelling (within the country).
That's in theory. I've heard stories of people being denied accommodation as the hotel didn't recognize the slip. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Bear in mind that FAO staff have holidays too. |
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