Job Discussion Forums

maudgm · Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 30 Location: depends

Hi everyone,
After lots of visa problems, I've been told there's an agency on Wu Yi Lu that delivers all kinds of visas... in exchange of money of course. (around 2000)
Do you know anything about it ? It's legal apparently. Where exactly on Wu Yi Lu is it ?
anyone knows about good jobs for the new semester ? If yes, thanks for sending a PM..
Happy New Year !

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

I can't recommend something like this unless for some reason you're really desperate enough to take a big gamble. These things are at best probably 'legal' in the "We've paid somebody off/got well-connected friends, for now" sense of the word 'legal'. I absolutely would not trust a visa from one of these places.

You are not legal to work here without a Z visa. Z visas can only be issued by certain kinds of organizations; it's not easy to qualify for this status. Usually it's limited to universities and industries that require foreign technical expertise. Even qualified organizations are only authorized to issue a certain limited number of Z visas. Why do you think all the private schools have to jump through so many hoops to keep their teachers in Zs?

And more to the point: How do you suppose some storefront on Wu Yi Lu miraculously managed to get cleared to issue an unlimited supply of these visas? Think it over. Please.
MT

Susie · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 390 Location: PRC

On the noticeboard of my school in Jiangsu there is the following notice:-

http://www.visainchina.com

mobile 13501828752 (24 hours)
Tel. 021-33011478 (you can enquire in English)
Address: Room 3B, 4th floor, Yinli Building, 485 Henan (North) Road, Shanghai, 200071, China

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Hey,
MTN has clearly stated what this is all about - it's a money-making business, so beware!
Why not follow the legal path?
Ah, because you can't find a legal job?

I posted the particulars of another visa supplying business; it's an office in Hong Kong that states in its adverts that they are "well-connected" besides their own "strategic thinking" and bollocks like this. They promised a WORK VISA FOR THE MAINLAND ... from a HK business???

Why don't you just get another tourist visa for six months, now even available for 12 months?
Cheaper, legal (though not any more legal to work with that than with the other!), and firesure!

OK, what happens if you get this work visa from that agent???
If for one reason or another the PSB have to check your passport, and they question your employer, they will notice that that employer has no licence to hire expats.
Or you might be stopped at Immigration to show your tax receipt...Ouch! That employer is not listed as legal.

Millerlong · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 147 Location: Shanghai, China

I have actually been to this visa office in Henan Bei Lu. They issued me with a business visa for 3 months for 1070 RMB. I little expensive but it saves the trip to Hong Kong. I will renew it this next week with the same agency. They do speak very good English and they offer a pick up and delivery service so you do not even need to leave your house. I am pretty sure that they are genuine but I guess I will find out when I leave China this coming three months. I couldn't imagine them giving out illegal visas etc. as it would be them who will have problems with the police etc. They have been operating for a while now so I imagine that nobody has had any real problems. Try it for yourself and try not to listen to other posters who jump to conclusions before gathering all the facts together.

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

Save it, Roger.
There are none so blind as those that WILL not see.

MT

Millerlong · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 147 Location: Shanghai, China

Let's not be so negative about this particular VISA issue. They may actually be genuine. I will be going there this next week so I will find out what their story is. However, do you really think that they would issue VISA's that will cause problems later??? If you want any VISA at this agency then you must have filled out all the forms etc. that you would normally do at the PSB. They are even so strict to make sure you have that yellow piece of paper you get when you register at the police station. The place of issue is also marked on the VISA as Shanghai. Therefore, getting a business or tourist VISA this way will not cause any problems at the airport. It is a genuine VISA. My Turn Now don't be so arrogant to think that you are in "The Know" about everything in China.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I have no hard time accepting that some business manages to wheedle a business visa from the PSB - and sells it to you at a mark-up of 150%. Almost any tax-paying business can "invite" foreign business partners, but such visas for sale?

My real issue is with the work visas they promise in their ad. Now, I have visited their website, and they also are a training centre. No wonder they "speak good English" - their advert is relatively good though it's a Chinese English.

I suspect they informally hire foreigners to apply on their behalf for a visa, then sell it to you and leave to you the choice of where you want to work - freelancing, working for other illegal outfits, you name it, you can do it.

As said before, similar services are offered in Hong Kong of all places. Well, that's interesting for those based in Guangdong, Fujian or Hunan - but only if you are prepared to take some risk!