Job Discussion Forums

[Wicked Stepmother]

I am waiting for my police check letter to be notarised and certified by the Chinese embassy. However, the Chinese university finishes mid January, and it is not likely the notarisation and certification will be finished by then. The professor at the university who interviewed me suggested I arrive on a tourist visa, and then convert it to a work visa, but I am pretty sure this is impossible and trying to do so would put me in legal jeopardy. Am I right?

[CNexpatesl]

Some people say you can get it done in Hong Kong again, but I don't know personally. You'd be wise to double check and confirm

[nimadecaomei]

I got a new visa in HK in September and a coworker in October. It is risky though, as if the school decides they no longer want you you are out of luck.

[Wicked Stepmother]

Thanks for the comments and telling me about the Hong Kong option. I think I will stay in the UK though, until I get the work visa here. Then I will be covered, whatever the situation.

[Non Sequitur]

[nimadecaomei]

Mine was spousal RP to Z, my coworkers were L to Z.

[teenoso]

Definitely best to wait in the UK, as the new Uni semester/term won't begin until after the Spring Festival , so (for 2018) term starts at the end of February. If you arrived in early February there'd be few people on campus to help you and the Uni would be deserted, and many nearby shops and restaurants probably closed.

If you arrive at the beginning of term, after the Festival, you can be teaching while the local PSB processes the Resident's permit so you shouldn't miss any of the new term.
In my experience, meetings for FTs happen on the Sunday before the first week of teaching .... before that meeting you won't know your teaching assignment and won't be able to prepare for classes.... in other words you might know on Sunday afternoon that you have a particular class next morning at 8am! This kind of last minute decision making seems standard in Chinese Unis, and can be the bane of an FT's life.

[Non Sequitur]

Also heat will be off and staff won't be happy to break into their NY holday to pick you up from airport.
Spousal RP to Z not surprising although one would have though that could be done in China.
The L to Z change just adds confusion to this issue.
I second the advice to remain at home until you can schedule your arrival 2/3 days before classes start.

[Wicked Stepmother]

Thanks everyone. Yes, staying at home is the best choice. I now have had another email from the professor concerned completely changing his story anyway. He wants me to wait for the Z visa after all.

[Non Sequitur]

That's a good introduction to China. Hope it works out.
Best
NS

[twowheel]

I wonder about changing from an X visa to a Z visa, and beginning work at the same university where one currently studies.

Warm regards,
twowheel

[nimadecaomei]

As far as I know it would require going to HK, but that is still an option. I did spousal RP to Z, another coworker did L to Z and another did some kind of business visa to Z.

[Non Sequitur]

It would be in everyone's interest to drill down a bit more on L to Z in HK.
It has been an 'on again off again' topic over recent years.
If a proper reliable process can be established, it would enable would be teachers to check out their employer before signing. A huge insurance policy - especially if the travel refund could include that initial trip.

[happeningthang]

You can't possibly think you'll be getting any travel refund if you don't take the job and complete the contract. What employer anywhere would ever do that?

[Non Sequitur]