Job Discussion Forums

bukowski1234 · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:20 am Post subject: One-way ticket and tourist visa

I can't find a thread that specifically addresses this, so I'm throwing it out to you.

Here's the poop:

I'm in the states. I got a nice offer after posting it on a Chinese BB.

They need someone for mid february. Hurry!

The school (public university) wants me to arrive on a tourist visa. It says that it can convert it to a Z visa, etc.. I've read elsewhere on the board that this province is one that probably WON'T require the applicant to leave the country then reenter. Great.

BUT...

Is there a way around having to buy a round trip ticket in order to enter the PRC on a TOURIST visa? I just dont have $1,500 clams to shell out on a blind date like this!

Educate me.

Thanks.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

If you canNOT afford U.S. yuan 1500 "on a blind date" I suggest you refrain from popping over.

It is my unshakable belief that you must have financial reserves to survive!

What if a new SARS epidemic breaks out?

2 over lee · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:26 am Post subject:

What would this nice offer be then? I agree with TW sounds like a recruiter, I'd find out more details.

And on the question of money would a return ticket be significantly more expensive? You may be very happy you have one in a few months.

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

I reckon Roger's right on this point.
if you don't have minimal resources then don't come to China.

Chances are you will need em sooner or later.

Anyway,

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

for the average person it takes a bit of time -I'd say, at least 6 months to start coming to terms with living and working in China - and only by going through this step will you come to understand the concept of "feeling vunerable as an FT in China".
So make sure sure you have a safety net - whether that be money, ticket, or somebody/somewhere to run to - or as soon as you get here start building one - then that vunerability wont feel half so bad, and half the battle of establishing yourself here is conquered.

It also helps coming this this place with an open mind - expecting to be screwed, but hoping for the best Laughing

bukowski1234 · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:53 pm Post subject: They're sending paperwork

I am sorry that i am putting you folks through this again. My search of the site didn't turn up what i was looking for.

I wrote back to the university. They will be putting the paperwork through ASAP so I don't have to arrive as a tourist. It sounds like they can get the letter of invitation and the foreign expert certificate shortly. They're saying that they'll overnight it to me when they get it.

I'm not new to travel, and I'm not exactly new to the business of getting a visa from China. Two years ago, I went through the application process with another school, got all of my degrees and letters of referral, and the health certificate authenticated by every level of American government, then submitted it to the PRC consulate. I got the visa, bought the ticket, then two weeks before i was to leave, two bad things happened, and I had to cancel. A tornado damaged my house, then my brother-in-law had a heart attack.

It turned out that I cared for his kids for several months.

What I'm wondering now is if the unused visa create problems for me in the PRC consulate, and if my letters of reference which are addressed to the old school will create problems. Getting NEW letters of recommendation from the U.S. universities was difficult the first time. I suspect that it'll be impossible now. Teachers at my university have pretty much scattered in the wake of some nasty little departmental wars and the usual blood letting that takes place at every university department every few years.

The old Chinese school wanted me to return because we had exchanged so much correspondence. Now, however, that university is using a recruiter, and the advertised pay has been cut by about 20%. My emails to my contact there are going unanswered. Otherwise, I'd reapply to that school, even though it is in a much poorer province an has less to offer in certain ways besides money.

I suppose that if the new Chinese university is in need as indicated, it won't matter who the letter of reference was intended for.

I have backup. If I need more money than i carry, I can wire for it.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks again.