Job Discussion Forums

nzben · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 4

Ok, a bit of background. I came to China in April on a 60 day tourist visa. The school I am working for is a private language school in a small southeastern city. They said a working visa would be sorted once I arrived, and as a good/reliable friend back home knew the school managers on a personal basis, I believed this would happen.

About a month in to my contract (only a 6 months contract to start), the school said they could only get me a year long work visa, and would I be willing to sign for 1 year? A figure of 10,000RMB was quoted by them as the cost to the school of getting this visa. Everything was sweet at this stage, so I agreed.

In mid June, just before my tourist visa was about to expire, they informed me "because of the special time in China around the Olympics", they could not get me a work visa till October. So I have been taking a train back and forward to Hong Kong every month to get a new tourist visa - all at the schools cost.

My colleague, who has been here a year now, has never had a work visa, but he has no degree, and doesn't really expect one. On the other hand I am very uncomfortable working on a tourist visa, and feel if I want to move on at the end of my contract, then this year will be wasted in terms of legitimate working experience in China.

Any thoughts on whether this visa will materialise in October, or should I cut my losses and find a job that can offer a legitimate visa now?

Has anyone else arrived in China since April 08, and been able to get a proper work visa?

And, yes, I know I was a bit too naive and trusting to begin with......

jamesmollo · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 276 Location: jilin china

I arrived in June and got a residence permit for a year. I got a z-visa in auckland before I came. This is the usual process. Never come on a tourist visa, especially now.

Song&Dance · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 176

I'm never going to get a z visa, am I??

That's right!

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

This employer of yours seems to be new to the games played by the PSB; if he were familiar with them he wouldn't have to fork out 10'000 yuan for your work visa. This simply is a ripoff, and if they do pay that much, it will be for services provided in an underhanded manner, i.e. bribes. \

I would say your situation looks pretty dire! Bail out, sunny, bail out as long as you can!

nzben · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 4

mike w · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject:

Don't be surprised if you suddenly find you are not able to return from one of your 'shopping trips'.

letchluther · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 22

You are at big time risk of being deported.

I'm far from the doom and gloom you'll see here, but I'd suggest get your paperwork in order, or ship out. Oh, and if you are not from a "western" country, the same rules don't apply.. Many of those poor folks from Nigeria were shown the door and then banged into it a few times on their way out.

yipes