Job Discussion Forums

[oiboy]

I have recently lost my job. I was on a year contact and was issued a temporary Z visa (1-month), a FE book, and a 3 month green book.
I plan to stay in the city I'm in and find other employment. I've been in China for several years on Z visa's and have never lost a job before.

I know the all schools now require a release letter, which unfortunately I don't think I will get. Upon ending my relationship with the school I will turn in my FE book, my passport and my Residence Permit; which they will change to a tourist visa.
Should I:

A) Go to HK and obtain a Business Visa. Work for a year and then apply for a new Z Visa

Or

B) Change cities

I'm not too sure what I should do. I already have quite a few job prospects available, but informing them I lost my previous job might jeopardize my chances.

[Voldermort]

First thing first, don't worry about your new employer.

If you can try to get a release letter. By Chinese law they have to give you one, though trying to enforce your rights in China is a joke. This will make things easier to get a job in the same city, I think its a provincial thing not too sure though.

The best thing for you to do is hang on to your green book and your passport. Your school should keep the FE, it is for their school only anyway. Don't let the PSB change your visa. In my case they changed it to a 7 day travel visa and told me to leave the country. Find a new job, get the invitation letter and head over to Hongkong. You will have to hand your green book to the PSB at the border, no big deal though your new school will get you a new one.

It might be easier for you to move to a new city or province. Hence the reason to keep your greenbook. Depending on the expiry date you should have enough time to do some travelling, arrange some interviews and find a good contract.

Good luck

[quanxie]

Changing cities is up to you. I agree with Voldermort, keep your green book. Don't bother changing visa types, the green book expiration overrules the one in the visa. Type out your own LOR and have them sign and stamp it. It will save you a lot of possible headaches in getting the new job. I think that going to HK is often the easiest way to settle paperwork/visa hassles.

Good luck,
Phil

[vdrose]

if you can ask for release letter it will be better,visa matters you can go to hongkong and arrange for your type F visa if you still intent to stay in china.GOOD LUCK

br

[mike w]

Don't give up your residence book - it is your property!

[oiboy]

well they want my resident book. (the PSB) They will issue me a 30 day tourist visa.

[Voldermort]

When the PSB took my book, they said something along the lines of "since you are not working, you are not a resident, therefore you can't have a resident permit." Who has told you they will issue a 30 day tourist visa? If it was the PSB then make sure you get one, if it was your school on behalf of the PSB then keep it.

30 days is plenty of time to get to Hongkong or even do a little travelling. But don't count on getting it extended. I tried to have my 7 day visa extended, both in my city and in Beijing, they flattly refused. I ended up leaving China the day after it expired, but luckily I got away with it.

If you intend to go to HK, try to find a school to hire you first, get the invitation letter from them then apply for your Z-visa in HK. Alternativly apply for an F-visa, though I don't know what it takes to get issued one. I am still looking into this myself.

[oiboy]

I will hop on a train to Hk later this week. I went with someone from my school to the PSB saw the form too. They are applying for a 30 day L Visa for me wll be ready monday. To get a F visa you only need a passport.
If you are not american you can get an Multi-entry unresricted F visa for about 750 in HK. I can send you the stores name is you PM me. There is nothing else required to get one. I had one 2 years ago and my collegue just came back with one too. Legally you are not suppossed to work under an F Visa but there is little to no regulation there. You also do not need / get a resident permit, but you should still register at the local PSB as soon as you arrive. They are strict about that!

[DistantRelative]

Hmmmm You guys got me worried now. I was under the impression I could possibly get an F Visa in Hong Kong that would be good for as long as a year. So what's the best an American can do in Hong Kong as far as an F Visa goes? 30 days with an extension in China? Better? Thanks in advance for any help you can give .