Job Discussion Forums

[tyroleanhat]

I couldn't finish the paperwork for Plan A in time. I now found an alternative, a 4-months-job until lantern festival.
I trust my employer (friend of a good friend) and want to suggest the route of L-visa transferring into Z-visa (or M-visa), to safe time.

How does this transfer process work?
From what I understand, it works only in certain provinces. A courier service would then handle my things via HK? (Or do I need to fly to HK myself?). I also heard it depends very much on the visa service used (and their amount of guanxi)

Somebody has insights how all this works in Zhejiang?
For example I just read the transferring is not possible in Beijing, but seems to be fairly easy in Shanghai.

[murray1978]

Why are you so desperate to head to China without a legal Z visa? Are you really that hard up for a job to go without proper documentation or visa?

Good luck but if shit hits the fan, you were warned countless time with multiple information on this site.

[tyroleanhat]

Murman thanks for the concern, but I have my reasons, believe me.

I am just hoping to get an answer from somebody who has knowledge about "visa conversion", specifically in Zhejiang.
To change the visa type on-site is an absolute legit thing (in certain provinces, hence my question). No fearmongering necessary, of course provided that:
A) I can trust my employer not to drop me once I arrive, and that
B) I won't work illegally, until I have the residence permit at hand

[hz88]

Zhejiang are pretty strict, however I believe they still allow Hong Kong visa runs but with all things China what happens today can be history tomorrow.

You cannot courier your passport to Hong Kong, you have to be there in person as you need to show that you are in Hong Kong in the proof of your arrival sticker. Furthermore the visa you are currently on has to be cancelled in the form of an exit from China.

I would be a little wary here as the cost to get you a z visa and resident permit and process everything is going to far outweigh having you for only work or several months but given the distinct shortage of teachers at the moment you may be lucky.

As I said before it depends on your gut feeling, however if you do come then do not work until you come back from Hong Kong.

[tyroleanhat]

Thanks hz88, that helped a lot, as always.

I also heard issuing a Z-visa can get very costly for an employer (including high taxes)
But what about a "Z2"? (which is a Z for less than 90 days)
Could it be that a Z2 is a cheaper choice for an employer who wants to get somebody to work for a short period?

I found the Z2 info here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/chinese-government-announce-new-immigration-laws

[hz88]

I am not aware of the Z1 or Z2 visa being introduced yet. Certainly its not something I have any experience with, all our new applications have been issued as simply Z.

I am sure if it had someone would have mentioned it somewhere.

You could ask a prospective employer about it but I would expect that you would not have much joy. By the looks of it the link you sent is quite old, in fact there are several new visa types such as S1, S2, X1 and X2 which have been introduced since then which are not listed.

The cost to the employer is not just monetary but also the time involved has a big factor. Depending on the schools location in relation the provincial capital it can involve a lot of running around. The biggest hurdle for an employer is being able to qualify for the licence in the first instance, a large amount of capital is needed plus being operational for a set amount of time which is why it is hard for some schools to qualify hence the shenanigans that happen.

I mentioned be wary because certainly from my experience on both sides of the fence most employers would be reluctant to hire someone for such a short period as it is not financially worthwhile for them. As in any business operation they expect some return on their investment. It is your call really.