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F-Tvl

Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 4
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:47 am Post subject: Working in China: Danish Passport and F-Visa |
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Hello, my name is Frank and this is my first post to this forum. I'd like to start by first explaining ...
My Situation (Wrote in brief sentences)
I am 20 years old and live in Ontario Canada, I have a TESOL/TESL degree, but no college or university degree. I recently took a job in China teaching at Kid Castle in Taiyuan, Shanxi and my scheduled departure was this Friday (April the 27th). With their invitation letter I was able to get a F-Visa valid for 60days stamped into my passport.
TOO KEEP IN MIND.
I have Landed-Immigrant status in Canada, my actual nationality and passport are that of Danish origin, despite this I was able to be hired by the school and obtain a visa (I have lived in Canada for 17 years and my accent is neutral so it did not take any convincing).
HOWEVER.
Blinded by my eager youth I did not fully research what exactly I was getting myself into. Some major red-flags started to pop up about my school and as a result of this (and a very worried mother) I have cancelled my plane ticket to China (luckily I have not signed any contracts.)
REGARDLESS.
I am still very pumped up to go abroad and teach. But this time I'd like to plan it forward a little more properly. So these are ...
My Questions
-Will most schools be able to extend my F Visa past 60 days? The F-Visa I already received from this school, if I get ANOTHER invitation from a DIFFERENT school, can I still use this Visa and 'fudge it' at the airport and say this (new) school letter allowed me to get this particular visa, or has the school, Kid Castle, already blacklisted my name and passport number at the border?.
-The consolate in Canada issued me the F-Visa regardless of the fact that I said I would be being payed by the school, they told me I would be able to go but I should decline being payed. If /When I obtained a new job in China, and I innevitably have to register and extend my Visa at the Chinese PSB offices will they dig around to find out I am working for a school and being paid for it, or will they simply turn the other cheek? In otherwords what I'm asking, is working with an F-Visa generally a safe endeavor or will I be looking over my shoulder half the time, being at risk of heavy fines and thrown in a Chinese prison.
- Most importantly, with a Danish Passport, is it difficult for me to LEAVE the country after my contract has expired. Or because I carry a passport from a non-English speaking country, am I likely to cause problems at the border. (I have heard many have had problems when leaving China, moreso than entering).
Thanks for your time if you read my lengthy post, (I'' no doubt end up with some more questions later).
-Frank
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Steppenwolf
Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:16 am Post subject: |
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I am not sure whether an 'F' visa issued in a western country is employer-specific; it might be, but then again it might not.
In any event, it's nothing to worry about at this moment. Any legal employer can get a residents' permit stuck in your passport to take care of your work visa (which should be a 'Z' visa).
A resident's permit is valid until it expires according to what's specified in it. The visa you currently have in your Danish passport is a sto-gap solution until you have been granted a resident's permit. A 'Z' visa how only holds for 30 days and your employer is in a bigger haste to get a resident's permit.
There is no difference for holders of Danish passports trying to leave China... |
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Lobster

Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 2040 Location: Somewhere under the Sea
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:41 am Post subject: |
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Visas issued in Canada are not employer-specific, and therefore you have the 60-day visa you paid for.
An employer licenced to hire foreign teachers can convert your visa to TRP and get the FE certificate, if you meet the provincial requirements or if they have the guanxi. In many places, you'd be ineligible because of your lack of a degree and the fact that you're not a native speaker. You should not really be working on an F visa, but there's been a lot of discussion about that point on other threads.
You'll have no problem leaving the country after a short stay, but I'd strongly suggest that you get the proper working documents and keep all your tax receipts. Being legal will certainly put your mind at ease.
RED
Last edited by Lobster on Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sonnet
Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 235 Location: South of the river
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:52 am Post subject: |
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Frank,
It seems that Steppenwolf has already answered the most of your practical questions. I do hope that this doesn't sound too harsh, and the eagerness of youth is certainly commendable, however:
You're only 20 years old, have no degree, and are not a citizen of a native-speaking country. Furthermore, there are numerous errors in the language of your post. Do you feel that this makes you qualified to work as a professional EFL teacher?
Even if you do, a number of schools won't. You'll probably find that the only schools who will be willing to employ you are at the less-reputable end of the spectrum, and you may well find yourself facing a number of practical, financial and legal difficulties while working for them.
I only want to give a realistic assessment of your current employment prospects; not to discourage or offend you. If you really do wish to make any kind of a career out of EFL teaching, then get a degree, and be aware that, as a non-native speaker, you may have to work twice as hard as a native speaker to impress potential employers. That might be harsh, but then life isn't always fair.
All the best with whatever you decide to embark upon, however. |
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