Job Discussion Forums

SimonM · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1835 Location: Toronto, Ontario

So much for my work permit coming "wednesday or thursday at the latest". When it did not materialize on Thursday I phoned the school and was told it would take one more week. Problem is this is not the first time it's been delayed (on May 3 I was told I would have it in 2-3 days) and I can't get my visa without it. I really want to depart and I am getting frustrated. Has anyone else had these problems with delayed work permits?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

You don't really need your work permit to get your Z visa. You just need the Foreign Experts Invitation Confirmation and the visa notice.

Some schools prefer not to give you the work permit until you have arrived for fear that you may take off and go to another city (yes it has happened).

burnsie · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 489 Location: Beijing

Yes, there are usually delays in China. A normal thing.

Ask that they fax you a copy of it before they send so you know that it's real. You can try to use it for getting your visa but they do need to original copy.

SimonM · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1835 Location: Toronto, Ontario

Do you mean they have to post a doccument to me before I will be able to get the visa?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Yes, you will receive at least two documents in the mail.

(1) Foreign Experts Invitation Confirmation - yellow piece of paper which you can photocopy to give to the Chinese Embassy.Consulate.

(2) Visa Notice - white and you must give the Chinese Embassy/Consulate the ORIGINAL copy.

(3) Perhaps your work permit (Foreign Experts Certificate).

(4) Perhaps a letter of invitation.

Keep in mind that if you are going to be teaching at a public school, the school will break for summer vacation in mid/late July and the staff won't be back to work until mid-August.

SimonM · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1835 Location: Toronto, Ontario

When I was initially offered the job they told me I would be in China before the end of May. Certainly not that I would be in Canada into July or August.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

There are some new regulation for getting the letter of invitation. The school may have been told they neew some additional paper work. For example, new, incoming teacher are suppose to get and submit a hospital approved physical before they arrive. The phyical is no longer beging done in China. (Henan Province)

SimonM · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1835 Location: Toronto, Ontario

That is discouraging. Confused

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Same thing in Liaoning. I was told to get my medical exam done in Canada before they can issue me my Foreign Experts Certificate which I must also apply for in Canada. According to www.caiep.org I may even be turned down for work permit even if I have signed an official contract with the school (one of the best known universities in Liaoning province).