Job Discussion Forums

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I'm finally on my way to a Z visa, they're in the process of changing my F to a Z. Now what do I have to do to get the Resident Permit and the Foreign Expert Forms? And how long does this take?
Thanks!

Linda L. · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Posts: 146

Whomever "they" are who are arranging the "Z" should follow up with the others. The "Z" is only for three to four weeks duration and then expires.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Maybe you have to prod them a liittle bit as these permits are issued by different authorities, all of whom like small printed squares of paper with a Mao head best. SOme schools just don't bother to go to so many emperors.
A Foreign Expert's cert is a wonderful means in your business intercourse with the BOC. Have it, and you can convert your RMB into euros, rands or US dollars; don't have it, forget it!

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Again (as stated in the other post) NEVER turn in your residence permit to the school. If the school asks you for it either they didn't know what they were doing, or they were hiring you illegally.

And as mentioned beautifully in green letters, make sure it is a green residence permit in Chinese and English. Some schools have you work illegally on a tourist visa, and give you a "fake" residence permit

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

If the Z only lasts a couple of weeks, what visa do you go on after the Z expires, or does the Resident Card and Foreign Expert Cert take the place of a visa?

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Nonsense! A work visa is valid for the entire duration of your stint. You must have a work visa for twelve months to work in a job for one year! Linda's reply was off target!

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

Here's my understanding of this question, courtesy of the Shanghai PSB.

* You need a current Z Visa to obtain the Foreign Expert and Residents Permits.
* Once you have these, and they are kept current by your employer [ie, updated with the PSB before they expire], you do not need to renew your Z Visa unless you wish to leave and re-enter the country.

Not looking for a debate here; this is the situation in Shanghai, but different cities/provinces may have different interpretations.

Explorer · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 42 Location: China

Although your employer should handle all of this:

You enter the country on an L (tourist) or F (business) visa and then apply (or the school applies for you) to the Department of Employment for an Alien Employment Permit. If you are qualified you might also apply for a Foreign Expert Permit.

Once you have the Alien Employment Permit you can apply to the PSB for both the Z (work) visa and Foreigner Residence Permit. The employment and residence permits both are specific to your employer. Mine are timed to expire on the same date as my Z visa. Although I had a Foreign Expert Permit before, I recently moved to a new city and job, and probably will apply to the Employment Department for one because of the benefits thereof (possibility of permanent residence after five years, if I recall correctly, and other perks).

Years ago, my work visa expired and the university simply renewed my residence permit which was just as valid.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Minhang,
Shanghai is experimenting with China's first GREEN CARDS for expatriates, which are supposed to be valid for 5 years and don't need any visas in your passport any more. Multiple entries permitted.
Don't know the details, have this information from Dezshira Consultancy.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

The Z visa expires the day it says it expires. It allows you to enter and leave the country. I guess if you never wanted to leave the country, you would not have to worry about it expiring. However, technically, if you are working in China with an expired visa, your residence permit is not valid. To leave the country you must have a current residence permit and current work visa. If your residence permit has expired fo more then 30 days, you can be fined 500 RMB per day (Think that is correct)

The z (work) visa allows you to get a residence permit...but the residence permit (greenbook) has to be for your residence that the school supplies you (or the home that you find with permission of your school. Don't believe the people who say you can rent my apartment. 9 times out of ten it isn't legal. 9 times out of ten no one cares if you are living there illegally).

If you move, you must reregister with the Public Security Bureau. To do that, you must have a current work visa, and a employer with the legal right to hire you.

Many schools have you come on a tourist (L) visa. Technically this is wrong. Some schools have the legal right to hire you, but don't want to be bothered doing the paper work to get your z visa until you arrive (the problem of no shows, some teachers never show up).

Many schools have you come on a L visa because THEY DO NOT have the legal right to hire you. You will not get the z visa or your residence permit. Listening to complaints, 90 % of the problems and ((% of the serious problem foreign teachers have come from those hired illegally, either they are working on a tourist visa, or on a knowingly falsified z visa (ie, the school "sponsoring" the teacher is not the same as the school they are working for.) If you have a tourist visa, you will not have a residence permit, and thus you don't need to show it when you leave the country

There is no excuse for a legal school not sending you your invitation letter. It is not that big of deal. If they can't do this, I would have to wonder what else they couldn't or won't do.

Per Explorer... Foreign expert is the only classification for teachers. Other jobs are different

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

I've heard of the Shanghai "green card" Roger mentions, but understand it's designed with the expat. business community in mind, rather than "the likes of us". Early enquiries indicate the much vaunted D Visa [for those with Chinese spouses] may be similar, and aimed at making it easier for foreign capital to flow into the country.

Cobra · Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Posts: 436

The "Z" visa is NOT a work permit. It is a single entry visa that allows you into the country to obtain a temporary resident permit and a foreign expert certificate. The "foreign expert certificate" is your work permit.

The "Z" merely tells the beaurocrats that you are in the country legally to obtain work. You can not exit on a "Z" visa. An exit permit is required.

You can not re-enter on a "Z" visa as it is one entry only.

The temporary resident permit allows you to travel freely inside China.
You can not exit or re-enter on this permit.

Flame me if you want and call me wrong, but you will find out I am right.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

So if I want to go home for Xmas, i must get a re-entry permit and another Z visa?

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

Cobra
Disagreeing with you and flaming you are different things. You appear to be in a combative frame of mind.
You can pay for a single entry, double entry, or multiple entry Z visa. My last one was multiple entry, stamped "M", number Z1176526. Look at your Z visa...does it have a space titledEntry[s] on it?I think it will. You pay a lot more for this one of course. Please be 100% sure you are [/u]right before giving "definitive" advice[u]

ps sorry about the crazy print-still playing with this thing.