Job Discussion Forums

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

I just found out that my company will not be getting me my work visa until January. Their excuse is that since the school year has begun, and we must go so far to get it done, that there is not enough time now that the school year has started to get it done. Basically we must wait until the winter vacation. This sounds a little fishy to me, and I don't buy it. First off, they had more then enough time bfore the school year started. Second, they had plenty of time to get my toursit visa renewed and extended, for thre months, which they of course want me to pay for, outrageous I think. Then they expect me to get it renewed again before I even get my permanent visa, at 414 yuan a pop, plus the cost of my Z visa and residence permit. I must ask, is this anyone elses experience, or have I just gotten screwed?

Calories · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 361 Location: Chinese Food Hell

Sounds like bs to me. Tell them you want your stuff now or you'll find another job.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

They are probably tired of your tirades as an "underpaid" FT; still I agree with you that they are cheating.

You should have a one-mont work visa that should be replaced during your one-month in-country residence to a resident's permit. Another option is for them to sponsor you on a six month 'F' visa - which is not, I believe, renewable (or only in some instances).

In any event, working on a tourist visa for a protracted period is illegal, no if and no wshen. And visas normally cost your employer, not you.

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

Yeah, I thought so. However, what about paying? I did miss the clause in the contract about paying for visa costs, however I agreed, unknowingly, to pay for my Z visa, not two renewels of my tourist visa, plus everything else on top of that. The company and the school are fine otherwise, and I have been able to find nothing bad about them online. That doe's not mean much I know. The real question is payment, but also, how long doe's it take, and what is the process. Do I even need to be there, they said it has to wait until then so that we can go to the office, which is far far away, of course, to get the visa and work permit. That is not what my research told me. Can anyone help me seperate the BS from the truth, cause I am starting to get annoyed with these folks, and they don't seem to understand why.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

If you have no z with them..now is the time to leave....you can find a better deal down the road....

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

Yes except I really can not afford to leave. This is the second place I have been to in china. What with all the traveling and food and all that, my money, well, I don't have much. Engouh for perhaps one more go, but that would be it. This realy sucks, how long does it realistically take for them to get a z visa, could someone please answer my question, instead of teling me to quit, that is easy for you to say, except your not familiar with my situation. Just don't know what to do, I will quit, but only as a last resort, not a first one.

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

[quote="Steppenwolf"]They are probably tired of your tirades as an "underpaid" FT; still I agree with you that they are cheating.

You should have a one-mont work visa that should be replaced during your one-month in-country residence to a resident's permit. Another option is for them to sponsor you on a six month 'F' visa - which is not, I believe, renewable (or only in some instances).

In any event, working on a tourist visa for a protracted period is illegal, no if and no wshen. And visas normally cost your employer, not you.[/qu

ote]

Excuse me Steppenwolf, now idiot because of your assumtipns, I have made no tirades to my employers at all, that is what this forum is for. You are a fool to make such a statement. I don't know you, you don't know me, and you have never sat in on a convo between me and my employer, so you make yourself a fool for assuming so. If you have nothing but "negativity" to contribute, funny considering how big you are about bashing others for it, please don't respond then. Hypocrite and fool, sad.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

In my experience when a school make an excuse such ass this..then it is other reasons for not getting you the paperwork needed...In Dalian..I had the same situation..as the city had run out of FEC book..but they could get them at the province Capitol..they just didn't want to go to the time and expense..I used a foreign University to put the pressure on...but to be honest ..it would not have happen if left up to the Chinese..push on this..and if you need to .. leave. ....just work part time someplace and get the money..I know that is a weak solution..but 4 month...really two weeks is the max..and that is from a slow boat to China..

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

I have to agree, though I don't know where I would get a part time job. I don't speak much chinese, where would I find work? I assume you mean in other schools nearby, their are several, quite a few really, though without being able to speak english *shrug*. I could always wait until my first paycheck of course. I do not understand why they are wanting to take so long though, especially when they are expecting me to pay for it all. It is a matter of convenience, time, simple laziness I think. We are the ones doing all the teaching, they are just collecting money for the most part. I certainly can find the time, and I am sure I am working more then this place is, strange. Well anyhow, if you have any idea's on part-time work, please, let me know. Take care.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

Look if you are near a city center or even a town ..there are likely to be language mills around..andy place you see the word Enlgish..or go to the local market..surely someone will want to buddy up to you and you can use them as a traslator..or a bed warmer if lucky...
Many time someone will come up to you and ask...so hang around the Micky Ds..if one is local or any place where young people are...just march inand tell the girls on the front desk your looking for work and then be stright about wanting ot get paid at the end of class..for th part time work

The school is likely jerking you around to see if you "suit" them...this way they invest no money..or time..but maybe a darker undercurrent is at play here in that they cnnot muster the paperwork needed as they have no authority to hire you..this is all speculation...but it can leave a bad taste in your mouth....

Also you may enlist the aid of the PSB..but it could also bring down the house around your head..best thing to do is to contact local FTs and find out if anyone knows anything...or any other opportunities..and the location is important as there may be someone on this board to help you...
good luck...but to pay for your own l visa is bull sh*t...if you can get out..that is the best way...

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

For in-country FT's, if the province/region allows the "conversion" of L visas to FEC and RPF's, then my guess is no more than two weeks to a month.

The employer is full of BS. They are not legally allowed to hire FT's and are trying to stall. LEAVE NOW!

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

I'm afraid I would have to agree. Just today my assistant came to me and told me they want me to work at another school for two classes tomorrow, and we have to take the bus. I was told before hand, by several people, and I asked specifically about it before signing the contract, if I would have to work other schools? All said no emphatically. Now they are changing their tune just like that. They also want me to work my first week free. They will pay me on Oct 10, or so they say, for my work from Sept 10, to Oct 9, ok. However they do not wish to pay me for the week I worked from the fourth to the 9th of Sept, what the hell? The woman helen I spoke to on the phone gave me some cock and bull about holding that money until my contract ended. Hello, there is no such clause in my contract that allows them to hold money. They say the prior month is up until the 9th of that month, if so then you should be paid for any work you did during that period, even if only a week. This is BS, and I am almost fed up. I am already looking for other work, there are no mickey D's around here, but I am sure I could find english students on the side. The only problem is, how much should I charge. In america that would be easy to calculate, but I do not know the average income, or what is expensive or cheap for this area. Any help here on a fair price per hour would be most appreciated. Thanks, and take care.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

Not knowing where you are makes it hard to judge ...but if it were me..I try 100RMB at first and then take less is you really need the money..but again..I am talking through my hat on this one..

Have you talked with any other schools to see if you could work out something?

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

NathanR, I can do little more than sympathise with your plight. I have been in a similar situation, and made the mistake of trying my hardest to get along and make the best of things. Cut your losses now, before things get any worse. If you stay, they will.
There is perhaps one good thing you can take from this. Your crap-detector is working, certainly better than miine was when I was similarly caught. For a foreigner here, that's almost more important than money.

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

I have to agree Sad

I did just talk to the Head of Foreign teachers tonight, who just happens to speak perfect english. He said I would not have to pay for my visa's, and he would see what he could do about me geting payed on the 10th. I am still skeptical, but I will cross my fingers and hope these folks are ok, even though I doubt it. In the meantime I am still looking for something else, cause I sure know by now never to put all your eggs in one basket, and never to trust a chinaman who is tooooooo nice when doing business with you.