Job Discussion Forums

[tw]

I seem to recall a similar tale from another poster a long time ago about the employer wanting to change his RPF into a L visa. Maybe it was because the FT's contract was ending? Regardless, I think some employers feel that they are responsible for any FT whose RPF they'd paid for, they should not be held responsible or be under legal obligation for the FT when and if the FT chooses to quit the position. Therefore, the FT's RPF should be cancelled and be switched to a tourist visa.

[erinyes]

[james s]

...

[HunanForeignGuy]

[englishgibson]

china's a country with many double standards and "one country 1.3 bil systems" might describe it well

now OP, from my experience, it is a standard procedure to convert your current work permit/residency permit (i assume you have one sticker in your passport) to the "L" visa, if you either quit or end your contract...your work permit is arranged with only one employer and through the employer....YOU DO NOT NEED TO SURRENDER YOUR PASSPORT TO YOUR EMPLOYER FOR THE CONVERSION, YOU CAN JUST GET A RELEASE LETTER FROM YOUR EMPLOYER AND GO BY YOURSELF TO THE PSB FOR THE CONVERSION
again, you should convert your current work permit to "L" especially if you plan to move to another city...if you wish to stay in the same place, you should enquire with the local PSB whether it is neccessary to convert to "L" or whether with your RELEASE LETTER you could get a current work permit cancellation and a new work permit issued over it...however, keep in mind that if you do not have a new employer lined up yet, your current work permit sticker might be cancelled by your "unhappy" employer..do not risk and act accordingly

peace to all points of views as well as expert advice
and
cheers and beers to all hard working FTs in China

[HunanForeignGuy]

[SnoopBot]

Some entities in China can get into trouble if you stick around on a Z -visa while you are not working for them anymore. I guess it depends on the relationship, number of Red Envelopes that the schools provides to the PSB.

I know of one school that will actually drive you to the airport to insure you actually leave the country when your Z visa expires (end of teaching contract)

They will work you to the very last day on your Z-visa and not release you earlier for a new position without you paying a breach of contract fee.

If you find a new position, you must usually go to Hong Kong (leave the country) to get a new visa issued or pay some fee for overstay.

I guess you could convert your visa to a F visa but expect a hassle going back on another Z visa.

You will get NO letter of release until the last day on your Z visa and contract date. This way the can get you to accept higher hour contracts and same or for less pay.



A few of the Beijing based training centers do this.

[vikuk]

[SnoopBot]

[Mpho]

I am in agreement with what Mr. Griswald said about the school protecting themselves. There are also other issues on why your present employer would want your residence permit cancelled: (1) it is expiring after you leave their school. They are responsible for you until you leave the country, get a new visa or a new residence permit If you don't get a new permit or visa, they could be fined.(2) They may feel that your new employer may not be able to get a Z visa for you. This would mean that if complications arose, they would be subject to review by the PSB possibly. (3) By giving you a tourist visa, they are making sure that your new employer can legally convert to a Z visa. Of course, many provinces do not convert to a Z visa. So this is a tactic that may require extra expense on your part. A little payback for leaving early.

Mpho

[Teatime of Soul]

[HunanForeignGuy]

With all deference to the rather lenghty previous posting, I again would want to stress the importance of relatively uninstructed newbies placing their collective heads into the mouth of the tiger by the following some of the advice that has been given on this thread.

Firstly, the PSB cannot and will not sinae qaue non demand that a Z visa be converted to an L visa at the end of contract, etc., etc., or whatever else was written in that vein.

A Chinese visa is good until the day that it expires, that is a visa dated April 24, 2007 in the PRC will expire at 23h59m59s on that day and it can be extended anytime prior to that date or replaced by another visa. The only limitations therein are entry / reentry into China on a visa that is nearly end-of-life.

Next, this is third-or-fourth time that a message has appeared in which the poster advocates having one previous employer contact a future employer for the sake of making things "smooth" or whatever was so implied therein. A good FAO at any institution can make things smooth without recourse to a previous employer. I would advise using this approach only under the most salubrious of all situations. Again, I wonder why such misinformation appears herein.

Next, a medical reexamination is only needed in-province when a letter of release has not been obtained, or a letter of recommendation has not been obtained and the new employer has not opted for a "loophole" in the document processing method called "new file", meaning, an entirely new file is created for the applicant and the previous files are discarded. This approach exists and can be used be wilely or knowledgable FAOS.

Out-of-province changes of job require a new medical unless a previous medical has not come to term (one year from date of examination).

The thirty-day grace period does indeed exist and is used routinely.

Next, much information presented in previous messages is rather anecodtal and should be subject to delineation and accuracy. "Other provinces" "the PSB regularly", etc., these are broad generalizations that beg concrete instance.

Again, exercise extreme caution and use maximum judgment when dealing with visa issues here in China, particularly when it is suggested that one should dash off to have tea with the PSB as if it were the Duchess of York.

[tw]

On a related though slightly different note, my contract expires at the end of July and my RPF was supposed to expire on the 4th of July. I gave my FAO 400 RMB, he took my passports (the original RPF is in my old passport), FEC and a photo then gave it back to me yesterday with a new RPF expiring on September 4 and the FEC also being extended to September 4. That was a bit of a nice surprise because he'd told me that he'd extend it for only a month. In his words, "Now you have enough time to find a new job."

[englishgibson]

tw, good to know that some employers are so nice

[Teatime of Soul]

HFG: