Job Discussion Forums

[neverheardofem]

I have a question for a colleague: If one has a contract terminated, but then finds another job in the same city, is it possible to get the visa transferred to the next school? This is assuming release letter etc. we're given to the person.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

I think that it largely depends upon the terms under which your contract was terminated.

If you parted with your boss on bad terms, he may march you down to the PSB and have your Z visa changed to a three-day L visa. (Yes, they exist). That will give you enough time to pack up and get out of the country. (I've seen it done)

If your boss isn't a vindictive jerk, you should talk to your new prospective boss and get some sort of guarantee if you will be the one breaking the contract. Perhaps your new employer can talk to the old employer and smooth the way for your departure.

If you know that termination is impending, talk to the new employer and get things lined up ASAP and get yourself packed up and ready to split as soon as your contract ends before your old employer can give you the bum's rush.

As long as there is time left on your residence permit, I don't think there's anything that your former employer can do as long as you have the release and as long as you get out of Dodge City before there's a shoot-out.

Caveat: If you work for a public university and your FAO is a vindictive twenty-something bimbo, good luck, you're in for quite a ride.

[hz88]

That pretty much hits the nail on the head.

It depends on the circumstances regarding the termination and your relationship with your current employer.

No matter where you move to the issue you are going to have is transferring your resident permit and applying for a new foreign experts book. Your new school will not be able to do that without the cancellation documents. The online system simply will not allow the application to proceed.

If you have some time left on the foreign experts certificate and resident permit, they could intentionally cause you trouble by not canceling it. They will know that if they don't you are basically screwed in any new application at least until its expiry. Once it does expire your record will release itself so that a new employer could start a new application however the chances are by then your resident permit would have also ran out and you would have had to leave China anyway.

It really does depend on your relationship with your existing school and their wish to play ball. I have seen issues (particularly in the training center market) where employers have found out you are going to work at a competitor and will do everything to make life as difficult for you as possible.

You don't need to tell them where you are going to work, however they can find out from the online system once a new school starts an application.

Try your best to work things out amicably and ensure that you get your release documents and especially the official cancellation notice that your existing foreign experts certificate is canceled. This can only be obtained from the office that issued it initially.