Job Discussion Forums

deezy · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 3:58 am Post subject:

The latest:

The Jinan FAO has said:

(a) tell the teachers to get an F visa and LIE... and say they are not coming to a 12 month contract
(b) tell the teachers to get an L visa
(c) tell the teachers they MUST NOT get an L Visa.

INSANE.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

deezy · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 10:22 am Post subject:

Yes, she put 'teaching' on the form. She got all the correct papers from us for an F.

The very latest is, that the Chinese management here have read the riot act to the FAO in Jinan, he's now realised that if we're having problems, other schools in Shandong will. He's begged for the papers back, and has said that if the teachers come over on an L he will immediately change their status.

What a b*llsup....

And Saturday morning..... the teacher in England has said she is now not taking up the post as she will not lie to get a visa, nor will she compromise herself. Frankly I'm not surprised... I would probably have done the same myself.

Volodiya · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:09 am Post subject:

The sequel. Deezy has reported to me that, of the three FTs who applied for an F visa to work (as the local authorities had requested they do), one was denied, and two were granted- the difference possibly being in that the application which was denied had indicated the term of employment was to be 12 months. (The other two had either indicated 180 days, or were silent on this point. Deezy wasn't sure which).

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

For Inner Mongolia, it takes a week before the FT's FEC is issued. Then, it's 5 working days for the PSB to issue the RPF.

FT's still need to complete a physical examination here again before the FEC application will be considered! The one I completed in Canada was only for the employer to apply for my Work Permit (formally known as the Official Invitation Confirmation). However, one can send a copy of the completed physical examination report (the official Chinese one) to the employer, and bring the original to China along with the blood test and chest X-ray reports written up by the clinic, facility, and/or lab as proof that yes you are HIV-negative and TB-free.

johninchina · Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 15

I am a teacher in China and I also work with a recruiting company. As for the visa, You come to China on a tourist visa because the school wants to see you teach a class and be sure you come to their school. If they get you a "Z" visa before you come to China, then you may not go to that school and go somewhere else. This is why the schools wait to get you the "Z" visa after you get to that school. The visa is in the name of that school you are working for, incase something happens to you, they know where you work at. The school usually pays for the visa and not the teacher.
Why would a school want to spend time getting people a visa and then the teacher never shows up. This would happen if the schools let you get the "Z" visa before the teacher gets to their school. Some schools the teacher does pay for the visa but not many.
As for having to leave the country to get a "Z" visa and come back. THIS IS BOGUS AND A RUMOR!!! That is not true at all. Once you get a job, the school goes to the local public security bureau to get the visa. You can also go there to extend your tourist visa while in China as well.

Volodiya · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 9:05 am Post subject:

Johninchina wrote:

johninchina · Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 15

I see that you do not know what you are talking about because I recruite teachers for every province in China and I deal with the paperwork to get the teachers to the schools. I think by recruiting teachers for every province in China that I do know alot more than you. Once you enter on a tourist visa then you can change it over at any public security bureau for a Z visa. If you are working on any other visa than that, then you are taking your own chances of being deported and the school is not allowed to hire foreign teachers.
If you really want to know for yourself, take a trip the your local public security bureau and speak to them. If anyone is told to leave the country to get a working visa and then come back into the country, they need to go to the local public security bureau and ask them. Do not take the school's word. Check with the local agency that handles visa's and you will see for yourself! This way you are not taking anyones word on the post and you are getting the information first hand. Then you will see.

Volodiya · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 3:34 am Post subject:

Johninchina wrote:

johninchina · Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 15

well the foreign expert certificate means crap. It is being changed and will fade out in 2006. This does not let you work in China. The only way you will be able to get this is if you have a masters degree.
So this shows you know nothing. When you get your "Z" visa, if you know anything, The "Z" visa and the working permit is all one piece of paper. It use to be 2 but now it is one and they put it in your passport. So this again shows you know nothing. You can't get one without getting the other. They are 1 piece of paper. So again I guess you know nothing.

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

I am now in the enviable position of being able to answer my own question:

Volodiya · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:50 am Post subject:

Yamuhuh wrote:

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Spiderman Too · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 2:50 am Post subject:

I am now doing my third stint in China; third school.

My experience, and knowledge, is as follows;

On the first occasion I entered on an �L� visa. The language school (as distinct from a government school) converted it to an �F� visa and then a �Z� visa. This was in Sichuan. I then had a medical exam and the language school got me a Foreigner Residence Permit (the old booklet type). The language school told me that I would have to teach in China for 12 months before they cold get me a Foreign Experts Certificate.

My second job was at a government university. They issued documents which allowed me to get a �Z� visa in Thailand (where I went for a holiday). The university told me that it was not possible in �their� province (Chongqing) to convert an �L� visa to a �Z� visa within China. I had to undergo another medical exam following which I was issued with a Foreigner Residence Permit (booklet) and a Foreign Experts Certificate.

The �Z� visa I was issued in Thailand had a number code identifying the university that was sponsoring me. Having entered China using that visa I would not have been able to readily work at another university (maybe another university with the right �contacts� could have circumvented this problem).

I am now teaching at a private college in Guangdong province. They told me to get an �L� visa to re-enter China and they would / will convert it to the new type visa-like Foreign Residence Permit in China. They have already obtained a Foreign Experts Certificate (booklet) BUT I HAVE NOT YET UNDERGONE A MEDICAL EXAM.

This is the second Foreign Experts Certificate I have been issued. I HAVE A BACHELOR DEGREE: I DO NOT HAVE A MASTERS DEGREE.

Now I must undergo a medical exam in order to get the new type visa-like Foreign Residence Permit.

On this occasion I entered China on a tourist visa WITHOUT HAVING A RETURN TICKET. I wasn't questioned about a return ticket. For my first two stints I did have return tickets but no-one asked to see them.

Including exits and re-entries for holidays, I have been in and out of China 6 times. I have never been questioned about, nor had my luggage manually checked. On one occasion I was required to put my main suitcase (but not 2 smaller bags) through an x-ray machine.

LeiShan · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 41

I think what can be gleaned from this site is:
1. The Resident portion will allow you to travel abroad and back to China for its entire validity.
2. The FEC at this time is often determined locally, and can have different interpretations as to who gets it and when depending on local interpretation.
3. What visa you can get away with alos depends on local issues.
4. Everything is subject to change and to be prepared make sure you use all legal channels when entering first time.
5. Stating with the same school from year to year is the easiest way to avoid problems. (if you are happy with the school)

I am in my third year with the same school and it has been a little different each year. But, the party secretary does all the leg work and the school pays for everything. I had a medical prior to the first year. For the past 2 renewals none was required.