Job Discussion Forums

shellybearink · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Seattle Washington

I heard a rumor (from my friend who got me the job in China) that I could change my travel visa into a work visa when I get there. That sounds very wishy-washy, and I don't want to get stuck in China on a travel visa when I need to work. Is it possible to do that?

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Increasingly so. But it depends whether the school has the necessary permit to hire foreigners, and if the visa conversion can be done in the city you go to. A Shanghai university, for example, has no problems. Get the longest tourist via you can, as an insurance policy. There's no shortage of jobs that can give you a work visa.
Post the details on the China forum for more local advice.

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

In many areas, it is impossible to convert a tourist Visa to a work visa.

A work visa should be properly issued at a Chinese Embassy OUTSIDE of China.

Regardless of what people tell you, converting a tourist visa is not the proper method and leaves you plenty vulnerable.

A better question to ask is why anyone would go to work for a school that didn't issue proper visa documents BEFORE you arrived in China. That way you know you are legit.

Look on the posts of these forums and see how many problems arise because this simple advice was not followed.

Good luck!