Job Discussion Forums

[SillySally]

My Shanghai permits from last year expired on June 30. My new school in Nanchang begins August 20. What to do to bridge the gap?

Shanghai was unwilling to help extend the existing permits. I did not wish to leave China. I did not wish to teach during the bridge time to obtain new permits.

The Nanchang public university advised that I arrive there on June 30 and they would have new permits issued immediately that would bridge the gap. That sounded scary! Permits usually take 2 weeks after the local physical which takes a minumum three days for the blood test results.

Having been in China long enough to have learned how much I do not know, and many emails later; I arrived in Nanchang at 9:00 a.m. on June 30. The uni people met me at the airport and took me to the Jiangxi Education Department where all of my documents were reviewed and a "Certificate To Hire Approved Foreign Expert" was issued. I did not need a new local physical because they used the Shanghai one from the prior year.

Then it was off to the Jiangxi Province Foreign Affairs Office. I had to wait in the car because "foreigners" are not allowed into this building. (Think about that just a sec. lol)

At 4:30 I was handed a new "Red Book" Foreign Expert's Certificate effective July 1, 2005 and expire August 30, 2006. It was effective the next day and covered me for the following summer bridge gap.

The next morning, with expired "Green Book" in hand, the uni took me to the PSB. I signed a form (all in Chinese, it could have been a confession to murder. lol) gave them my new "Red Book" and they said come back in two weeks. My uni people said something in Chinese and we were told to come back at 4:30, at which time I was handed my passport with my new multiple entry foreign residence permit taking up an entire page.
Expiration date, August 30, 2006.

I paid for my flight to and from Nanchang while the uni put me up at their guest house. Fair? You bet! This was my problem initially.

My new employer is authorized and trained by SAFEA to hire foreign experts, not all public unis are!

I am posting this story to encourage everyone that when you work for a legal school many problems just do not exist. And, these Chinese are very smart and creative. If they are legit and really want you, they CAN JUST DO IT!

I am in contact with my new school by email working out the details for next semester. They keep asking me what I want and need, what texts, what kind of classroom, how many students in a class, schedule time both day of the week and hours, what level of English CET Band 4 or 6 or beginners.

They are treating me like a real foreign expert and I am returning my respect to them. When there is a problem, it is my misunderstanding. After all, I am a guest in their country. "I am sorry, you are foregiven" works wonders!

They treat me like a Queen! May I not let them down!

[Volodiya]

SillySally, thanks for sharing your story with us. I, especially, appreciate all the detail you provided regarding your processing for the FEC and RPF. Each carefully crafted, factually based, and detailed post we get regarding visas and other administrative matters adds to the body of information on which we rely in coming to conclusions about Chinese Law and Administrative Practices, as they affect FTs.

[Mideatoo]

Humblest humility, a smile underlined with a relax attitude say it long in Asia.
As I posted somewhere earlier: �why going against traffic� - Stay with the rules as they have many...

[Roger]

My university obtained for me that resident's permit sticker in my passport - this is going to be my third contract with the same employer.
I didn't have to see the doctor this time.
My FAO told me if the SAME employer sings you on a second time you don't need to undergo a check-up.
Perhaps this pertains to all cases when people have had a medical exam IN CHINA and are staying for a second year.
(One of those relaxations of rules that we welcome).

[SillySally]

Roger:

I believe that once in country, you must get a local med exam but after that you are considered safe until you exit China and return. That is when another med exam is required locally.

Seems that the initial belief that SARS was introduced by a foreigner has not entirely died. They want to make certain that when you return no germ is riding piggyback.

[Mideatoo]

This is my second year with the same employer; all teachers have to go for checkup.
One is here since 1999.

How are you Roger? How is your trip?

[Babala]

I was under the impression that you needed a new medical when you changed cities. I was in the same city for 3 years and after my first medical upon arrival into China, I didn't need to get another to renew my visa. I just changed cities about 6 months and my visa is up next month. I was required to get another medical. I was told that if you change cities, you need another medical. Maybe it is different from province to province?

[tw]

[SillySally]

Someone once explained to me that SAFEA regulations are advisory to all of the approved schools in China (only about 1,100 total). Repeat, ADVISORY!

But, each province is allowed to develop their own regulations and the semi-autonomous regions are not even required to consider what SAFEA has to say.

Shanghai has its own separate rules for sure.

SAFEA has no authority to make binding rules or laws for anyone. NO TEETH!

Could this be the explanation for our varied experiences?

Xinjian has a major uni that regularly hires FEs and the semi-autonomous region issues all required documents. However, the public uni is not approved by SAFEA, but this has not stopped them.

So my experience in Jiangxi is limited to that province. OK? My point was that the Chinese can move the bar, eliminate the bar, put up a new bar, at will. They are creative. But if they want you, they can do whatever it takes.

[tw]