Job Discussion Forums

Rooster · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 363

According to my visa processing company here in the US, I have to register with the local police within 30 days after arriving in China. I plan on traveling some before reporting to the school. I will adjust my plan to arrive before the 30th day, but was wondering - What would happen if I was late and didn't register within 30 days?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

The visa processing company is only right in one aspect. You must register with the PSB BUT it's within the first 24 hours of your arrival in China, so they know where you are staying. Within 30 days you MUST apply for your Foreign Resident Permit. Failure to begin the FRP application before your 30 day is up can result in some pretty stiff fines (maybe even deported?) because then you'll be considered living in China illegally -- it's the law. You're best to travel AFTER you have your FRP.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

...and while you travel around China you do get registered if you stay at approved hotels. Your registration slip will make its way to the PSB.
This, of course, is not relevant for your work permit/resident's permit application; fact is your employer must start applyintg for your resident's permit (the new sticker that replaces the henceforth defunct work visa) in your passport within 30 days of your arrival.
Within these 30 days you must undergo a medical examination. In some places the results are communicated to your employer after 3 days; think of the weekend when such examinations are not performed, or when various offices are closed... ...and you know that your employer should get really busy some 2 weeks before those 30 days are counted down!

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

If you're staying at one of the school's apartments, they'll take care of all this for you.

Volodiya · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:50 pm Post subject:

TW, I'm concerned about your reference to the old resident permit booklet. (These are being phased out, if they haven't been already: they are being replaced by the new Residence Permit for Foreigners- a sticker, placed in the passport. It is unlikely that anyone arriving now will be given one, though a few people still have them who arrived earlier this year.)

Otherwise, I thought your comments were accurate. I'm concerned that the OP didn't really tell us enough to know what's going on.

To the OP: when are you planning to arrive in China? What will be your port of entry? What kind of visa will you be entering on? When does your contract specify that you are to arrive/begin to work?

Rooster · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 363

Thanks for the information. I will be arriving in Beijing in mid-July. I can not move into the school's apartment until 8/24. I will travel around a bit before heading to the school. Since posting this question I have received an OK from the school in regards to my plan. If all goes according to plan, I will arrive in the school's city on my 28th day in China. They said that would give them enough time to do what they have to do.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to move into the school's apartment after I arrive. I have made a reservation at a hostel in the city. Except for having to postpone the Yangtze River cruise which I already paid for, everything is working out splendidly.

It is probably better this way. I will take the cruise during the National Day holiday week-off. The price is 15% more though.

On a sidenote, if anyone in Beijing is interested in eating a good old fashioned omelette or perhaps some pancakes with beautifully sweet maple syrup, let me know. I'll be in Beijing for 2 nights and my roomrate includes breakfast for 2. You can meet me at the hotel, have breakfast and then be on your merry way.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Volodiya, thanks. I have edited my post.

Rooster, you may want to read http://english.people.com.cn/200502/03/eng20050203_172889.html

Volodiya · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:51 am Post subject:

It looks like everybody is assuming the OP is arriving on a Z visa, good for 30 days, single entry.

Rooster, you still haven't said what kind of visa you're arriving on, although you answered my other questions. Was that just an oversight? It would make a big difference, if it weren't a Z visa, as Beijing is one of those provinces where getting your documents to teach seems to depend on it. (Sorry to be pressing the point, but lots of us have been concerned with these issues- particularly, this calendar year.)

See-
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=25266

This next part is probably "overkill" because you've been consulting your school about it, and I'm really writing for the benefit of other readers. Many people confuse the significance of "30 days" when it comes to visas, because the first day of the 30 is the day you enter. Enter on July 15th, for example, you would have to exit on August 13, or the next day would be a day of "overstay". Using this example, your school would have had to present your documents to the PSB on August 13, at the latest. [Normally, there would be no grace period in these calculations for the last day of a visa period falling on a non-business day, either.] A final point, you will need your passport, with its unexpired visa in it, when you check into your hotel or guesthouse in Beijing at the end of your "holiday" in China.

Rooster · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 363

Volodiya,
I appreciate your information, it is very helpful. I will be entering China on a Z visa. I will eventually make my way to Jiangsu Province where the school will register me with the PSB. Based on my travel plans, I will have 3 days to register with the PSB. (The day I arrive and then 2 more.) The school has told me that they will need to have my passport for around 1 week. I assume that the school will have me take the physical before the 30th day and that that will suffice the authorities.

In regards to the physical, I have read different accounts, some physicals are thorough and others are not. I do not have any infectious diseases such as AIDS, but do have an abnormal liver. The doctors here have determined that I do not have Hepatitis, but there is a inflammation of the liver. It appears that I have a build-up of fat in the liver most likely caused by the overconsumption of alcohol. It is noticeable via an ultrasound test.

I read elsewhere on this site that another person's ultrasound indicated fluid in the lungs. I'm not sure of the disposition of that situation, but am curious about whether my liver situation may cause me problems?

Beyond that, it appears that no one is interested in a free breakfast. Oh well, perhaps I'll find someone there. Thanks again.

Volodiya · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject:

Although my physical, performed in China, was quite thorough for a routine health screening, it did not include liver function tests, nor an ultrasound of the abdomen.

You'll probably be OK. Not still drinking, I hope?