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

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

loboman · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject:

I have been reading this board for awhile, although i don't post much. I have read many posters sate that they were promised z visa before they come and once they arrive they find out - usually from other teachers - that the school can not get a z visa and never has legally been allowed to do so.

So what you describe is nothing new at all.

Deported? Only if you get caught doing something.

Hassle of going to HongKong, it will get old as well as expensive.

Your school openly lied to you. Its a very common thing in China...

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

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

What's the big deal about getting a work visa now? The only difference this time around was an additional 'security' photo and a quiet warning from the school to 'not stay out late at night and be careful' gave me the heeby jeebies Shocked

Other than that it was a straight forward procedure.
james

Lildeski · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 12 Location: NY,NY

I'm currently in contract negotiations for a company that has promised the same thing. That I should get a Tourist Visa and that they are capable of getting me a Foreign Residence Permit once I am within China.

Is this a bad idea!?!?

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

Ask yourself this - why can't they go about things in the right way? what are they hiding? It's a lot more difficult to process YOUR visa in that way. The correct procedure is for them to send you the required documents, that the chinese consulate will accept.
I'd play it safe if I was you. The first time I came to china I came on a tourist visa and It was a nightmare. There is no reason why this process should be difficult now, provided you and your potential employer go about in the proper manner.

grwit · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 329 Location: Dagobah

Lildeski, I think that is a bad idea. NEVER believe any promises they tell you. As I understand no companies can change visas at the moment. Especially not from L to Z. I have heard of changes the other way (Z to L).

The correct procedure is for the company to send you an invitation letter and a letter from the PSB both stamped and signed. Then you take these documents to the nearest chinese consulate to you and get your Z visa before you leave.

I did this in Australia 2 weeks ago and had no problem getting my Z visa before I came.

If the company can't send you the papers then most probably they are not registered to employ foreigners.