Job Discussion Forums

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

This has been much discussed on this forum.

But this morning this three-page article appeared on the front-page of The New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/business/worldbusiness/24visa.html

Grim statistics but I hope that all on this Board that are concerned by this issue will take the time to read this article. It confirms what all of us on Dave's have been saying for at least three months.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

interesting article. things dont seem to be looking so good for beijing, the chinese travel business and the olympics.

Mei Sheng · Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 177 Location: With Yunqi!!

In the past, most of my employers arranged a Z visa for me and paid for. Last year, a training center in Shanghai had me do all of the work and pay for it. The price was less than 500 rmb.

I now teach at a university in Shanghai who has arranged the visa and FEC, but, they want me to pay for it. My question is - how much should it be? I was told 800 rmb! Is that correct?

Thanks

jeffinflorida · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:14 am Post subject:

Look on the chinese govt consulate web site for accurate visa prices. Doesn't list fec but you can see the visa prices.

800 maybe a bit high but maybe they are charging you the laiwai or fat tax - or perhaps both...

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

hairuo · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Somewhere in China

I read through the article twice. I don't see anywhere in the article that it says that we have to pay for our own visa or fec to work at a school. Why are your schools telling you to pay? My school paid for mine this spring. Has all this changed?

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

here's a related question i hope someone can field. i told my school i may stay on for a third year. my residence permit expires on july 25th. i will be free from about july 8th or so. i asked the school that if i choose to stay can they get the residence permit renewed/extended through to next summer, and do it right away, as in, now. i was told no because renewing it earlier "is considered a waste of time by the local authorities."

so instead of them renewing my permit earlier because its a waste of time to do it earlier, i would have to sit around for two weeks doing nothing, then turn in my passport, get the renewed permit, then be allowed on my way. in the interim, half the summer holiday is frittered away.

does this sound right?

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Quick answer, no regs handy

First of course, you pay for what you agree to pay. Chinese law won't be quick to help you if you wrongfully signed over your legal rights.

medical back home and z-visa, and all costs involved, is yours, unless you get the school to sign an e-mail contract that says otherwise.

FEC, RP, medical here in China and all costs to obtain the above, unless you foolishly or knowingly sigh a contract that says otherwise.

getting a z-visa to China is not getting you the right to work. FEC and RP and medical are part of the right to work process

jeffinflorida · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:17 am Post subject:

My school is now giving me a new Rp on the premise I will return in August. If it helps the new contract ends July 15 only so they can get more time on the visa as school ends june 30.

My first school made me pay for the visa - it was 700 or so rmb for 5 months... I was new then so I didn't know better.

TexasHighway · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 779

un · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 670 Location: on-line china

From the article:

Moon Over Parma · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 819

Mpho · Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

Now if I was a cynical person, I might say that the new visa regulations were put into effect to purposely keep people away from China during the Olympics including those that paid for their Olympic tickets and hotel rooms.

Oh, you got tickets, but can't get to China. Sorry no refunds. Oh, you got a reservation and paid for your room in advance, sorry, no refunds. Just one big scam.

Then China can sell the tickets again a few days before the Olympics to loyal Chinese citizens as it seems the foreigners never arrived in China. And those 4-5 star hotels can rent out the rooms again at realistic prices.
Of course, security would be easier, less threats of protests, etc.

Just a thought.

Mpho

un · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 670 Location: on-line china

MPHO

menso35 · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 51

If I were paying $2000 a night in any country I would make sure it was with a hotel chain based in my own country, such as a Renaissance, Westin, Sheraton, etc. At least that way you could get a refund if you have to cancel.

Why do governments seem to shoot themselves in the foot? China, and most Asian countries, have a chronic shortage of native speaking FTs, yet they seem to be making things more difficult for us.