Job Discussion Forums

judyas · Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 5 Location: London, Ontario

Hi there,

I am considering China as a last resort if I can't find a job in the Middle East. Right now, I'm getting schools asking me to send them my passport when they haven't provided me with any other information about their school, my salary expectations.. etc. I have already provided my CV, degree, certificate, and photo, but is it legit to ask for my passport (for visa purposes) when we haven't discussed my actual position for the school?

If anybody could outline a description of how this "negotiating" works, I would be so grateful. I'm a scared little newbie...

Thank you

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Yes, do NOT send them your passport - even if they were to tell you that it's for them to get you a Z visa. If they can get you a Z visa, tell them to mail you the papers. At most, just scan your passport pages and show them as proof of your nationality.

KES · Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 722

Do not send your actual passport when applying for a position. A scan, or decent digital photo will do.

Some places want to see that you do have a valid passport with more than six months validity after the hire date before giving serious consideration.

Good luck in your search!

YankeeDoodleDandy · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 1:53 am Post subject: Passport

Many places will want to see if your ancestors came from Africa,Asis or Europe. Sad,but true.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I have to say two things: Considering China your last resort shows a mindset that will be problematic in the future when you do actually work and live here. You will have to bend many of your long-held ideas of what's right and what's wrong; moving to a new horizon means you have to be open-minded and, perhaps, be willing to accept the unacceptable.

My second point is that your correspondents seem to take you seriously enough and are thinking of putting you on their roll. They want to have physical proof of your various claims including your identity; it is common here to ask for passport pages and pictures upfront - with a view of applyintg for your resident's permit and other docs.
You are free, of course, to con tinue negotiating with them but you must bear in mind that most of your CHinese correspondents lack the patience you may wish for them to have. If you are dawdling and procrastinating they will drop you.
In your case, I suggest you ask the most important questions NOW, then decide on whether to accept or refuse.
And working in the Middle East will require much the same tact and willingness to accommodate local idiosyncrasies. It pays better there, but it requires qualities that you will not be asked to have in China (abstinence, for example)!

lostinshanghai · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Earth

I was recruited and signed a contract in my home country before I came to China. I gave them my passport (copy) from my home country. I had no problem. Life was good!

wonderd · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shanghai, China

Same as Lost. I was recruited in Canada. They wanted a copy of my passport. I gave it to them, not even thinking there was a risk. I have heard of people having problems doing this, but for me, there was no problem.

On another note, I have no idea if I have a class now. I think there's some exam today. I wonder if I have any more classes today.

Sorry, thinking out loud.