Job Discussion Forums

[parvati_overdrive]

Due to a number of factors, I'm looking to start work fall (aug/sept?) session. How soon will schools (universities) start accruing teachers -not just shopping, but processing paperwork? Specifically in southern China and Kunming, Fujian.

I think there may be a risk having a loose agreement with someone as they might be tempted to go with someone else should the feel they are better, cheaper, more dashing....so keep irons in fire if no contract.

Is there a duration on the Z visa for the time it must be utilized (2-3 mos)? For instance, could I have the Z in hand in May - but not enter until a week before school starts?

Is the visa, good for one year easily extendable? what happens if you arrive 1-2 weeks early and visa runs out before school year?

Does anyone think I would have a problem for the 4-5000 airfare reimbursment if I have a roundtrip Thailand-USA-Thailand and then a one way to China? It leaves opening just to pay small money on the BKK-?China flight.

Thanks

[kev7161]

Wow, lots of questions that have been answered endlessly on this forum, but I'll try and help with a couple that I know:

How soon will schools (universities) start accruing teachers -not just shopping, but processing paperwork? Generally, schools will start advertising for Spring semester jobs now, but you may get a last minute hire due to the Spring Festival holiday. Around mid-March to mid-April, many schools will be dealing with the hiring/recruiting of FTs for their summer "camp" programs, so you could probably start getting responses for a fall job (usually starting in September) mid to late July. You could put in resumes and such now, but if you are not going to be here until next fall, they'll probably be to no effect. A few reminder emails couldn't hurt. Most schools really don't know how many they have to hire until their current crop of FTs either give notice or re-up their tour of duty.

Don't take any so-called "oral contracts". If you can't get it in writing, then don't believe it. Even if you do get it in writing, no guarantees. This is China, bub.

Is there a duration on the Z visa for the time it must be utilized (2-3 mos)? For instance, could I have the Z in hand in May - but not enter until a week before school starts? You will get a Z-visa simply to get here and to start a job. You should be able to come to/arrive in China any time while that visa is valid. Your school will then be responsible for replacing that soon-to-expire visa with a residence permit. That used to be in the form of a small green booklet, but this is changing in many parts of China (if not all) by having a small document inside your passport. This allows you to stay until the time indicated on your paperwork and (for me at least) you can come and go to China unlimited times during the duration of this document (but you must have other paperwork anytime you decide to travel outside of China - see your FAO or local PSB for details). Be aware that it takes Chinese schools a certain amount of time to process paperwork. Some drag their feet while others have a lot on their plate at the beginning of the school term. I wouldn't risk coming in during the last week or two of your visa and hoping it's not going to expire before you have your residence permit. Other posters may have some recommendations for you.

Does anyone think I would have a problem for the 4-5000 airfare reimbursment if I have a roundtrip Thailand-USA-Thailand and then a one way to China? It leaves opening just to pay small money on the BKK-?China flight. For most year-long contracts, schools offer up to 8000rmb reimbursement on air tickets. For this scenario, you should ask the schools before signing a contract and then make sure they put it in their contract should they agree to it.

Others that have been here longer or have dealt with different schools may have more (better?) advice, but that is what I seem to know at this moment.