Job Discussion Forums

jonathanj · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 93

I am in kind of a "pickle". I currently live in Japan and my Chinese girlfriend and I have decided to move to Xiamen or Hangzhou in the middle of April. I am hesitant on looking for a job before getting there because I must leave to go back to Canada for at least a month in July. I already have a job lined up September.

Is it easy to find a place and job once you arrive in China? Is it a problem if my girlfriend and I live together and are not married? If I happen to get a 3 month L "tourist" VISA, will some companies hire me? If the company switches my VISA to a Z VISA, would I be able to quit, leave for Canada for a month, then get a new Z VISA in Canada, with the school I am working for in September, or will this blacklist me or screw some things up?

I know these are a lot of questions but I am quite confused about the whole idea. Thanks in advance.

Rooster · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 363

Many universities are hiring now and will sign a 1 semester contract, but the only problem in regards to your situation is that they would want you to begin around March 1st, just after the Chinese New Year holiday. Perhaps you could come to China 6 weeks earlier?

If you did wait until April and entered China with a L/tourist visa, I'm sure you could find a job at shady training center, most likely teaching little kids. Hopefully that is your cup of tea.

When July rolls around just quit. But, do not list this experience on your resume!! Why? Because when your employer in September goes to apply for your Z/working visa, the PSB (police) will see that you have listed a previous China job on your resume and then require a Release Letter. Any school that allows you to work illegally on a L visa can not supply such a document.

Good Luck!!

Rooster · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 363

As for your other questions, as long as you have cash you can rent a place, but most require a 1 year lease with a deposit. Will the September job provide you with an apartment? If so, you could always break the lease and lose the deposit. If not, I suggest that you move to the town that you will be working in in September.

In regards to your girlfriend, as far as I know, it is illegal for unmarried people to live together in China. So, rent the apartment in your name only. Do not tell the landlord that your girlfriend will live with you. The landlord probably won't care, as long as he gets paid every month, but the PSB may.

If you do live on-campus, there may be a problem in regards to cohabitation. The walls have ears & eyes! If someone questions either of you, refer to the other as your wife or husband.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

Visa:
There seem to be two work visas in use; some training centres manage to obtain a work visa for 6 months to one year plus a resident's permit booklet.
This 'Z' visa can be either a single-entry or a multiple-entry visa; you should get a multiple-entry visa because even a trip to HONG KONG or MACAU will make it necessary for you to have a valid mainland reentry visa in your passport.
I am not sure this kind of visa is still in use but it was last year, one year after a sweeping change had come into force that saw the issuance of the following work visa:

One month 'Z' visas to job holders going to work for a mianland institution of learning. This visa was valid 30 days only; at the end of this period you must have a valid resident's permit sticker in your passport. This resident's permit takes care of your visa needs and always is multiple-entry.

So, essentially you need to time your visa application so that you get your resident's permit; you can then go to Canada or anywhere you desire to go.

I don't know if Fujian or Zhejiang province upgrade a tourist visa to resident's permit!

Since July and August are holiday months, you might be employed beginning March through end of June, then take one month of unpaid leave and return; maybe they need you for a summer camp...

Cohabitation is indeed illegal but commonly tolerated though there are locales where the police and locals take a very dim view of laowais living "in sin" with their Chinese partner.

Maybe your girlfriend can negotiate a deal with an employer? These days, having an insider or local act as a go-between can be quite useful; the employers are getting tired of the floods of applications by e-mail...

jonathanj · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 93

The problem with starting a new job in March is that I am currently working in Tokyo and my contract finishes by the end of March. I then have to wait until April 15th to get my final paycheck, bonus, and my deposit on my rent. I would be losing thousands of dollars if I skipped out on all this. I am looking a for a quick job for a few months before heading back to Canada for a month. The main reason I am going to China early is to set up my apartment and life before returning after my trip back home.

Would it be suggested that I go to Hangzhou (or wherever I plan on going) without a job or place to live, on a 90 day tourist VISA, find an apartment, find a job, then get my residence permit once the apartment has been found? Wouldn't the employers see it as beneficial on their part if I am already in China, and they don't need to pay a airplane ticket reimbursement?

One other question, is it easy to find an apartment with a tourist VISA? Seems kind of strange for a tourist to get an apartment.

Thanks again.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

You are not really supposed to find your own housing in China as the majority of employers have a legal duty to take care of that. And yes, a tourist visa does not, legally speaking, entitle you to take up residency anywhere in rented premises though it is often done.

However, it would be illogical for your employer to nofficially sponsor you on a resident's permit if you don't intend living in CHina and working for your employer right at the start. You may have to negotiate a deal for later and remain a bona fide tourist that stays at regular hotels or guesthouses for a while although your girlfriend could probably rent a place and wait for you there. Just don't expect your future boss to be willing to help you!

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

hmm middle of april is already in the middle of the semester, so itll be a bit trickier to get work at middle and high schools. still im confident you can get work rather easily just by showing up at the doorstep.

private schools will be no problem either cuz they all have different contracts and terms. well, you know that.

as for the visa and housing, ask your employer to change it into something better than L, and they'll probably set you up with a room at the campus or school owned place. youre not supposed to live there with a girlfriend though if its on a campus. if thats the case, i recommend renting a place yourself outside, which is quite easily done in most places. just dont tell people, and certainly not the cops about your relationship. i dont think theyll care much, but you dont wanna run any risk.

good luck finding a nice position somewhere.

dajiang

joey2001 · Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 697

Bayden · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 988

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Can't you just contact a language school like English First (not saying EF is a grand place to work, but for a short term stint of around 4 months, it's a living) and ask them specifics about shorth-term contracts, living arrangements and other amenities? There are several places that advertise right here at Dave's. I'm sure that a language school doesn't want to sign someone for only 4 months, but you might be able to negotiate an arrangement where you can take a month off as long as you "promise" to return and finish out your contract.