Job Discussion Forums

revol · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 4

Ok. I've been accpted for a job at Hubei University. Wages, working hours and accomodation and travel reimbursements have been agreed.

The FAO has asked for academic references, photocopy of passport, photocopy of degree cert (which I get in August) and medical certificate (which she says I get in China or something).

What I need to know is this: Do I apply for and obtain the Z-visa BEFORE I leave for China?

Or does the university apply and I have to wait until I get to China? In other words, generally speaking, who does what?

By the way, I am British, in case that affects anything.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Sending your credentials (probably by e-mail) does not secure you this job just yet, so you had better wait and see!
I guess they are going to receive several applications, and then will select one or two from the crowd. Are you photogenic? Might help your case!
You can ask them the question about the work visa - there is no hard and fast rule. Most of us go to China on a tourist visa, some on a business visa (which is harder to come by although it affords you no extras at all).
If they say you can apply for a work visa in Britain, you should ask them if they are going to refund you the extra costs, including the medical bill. But if they say your tourist visa will be upgraded in China, you had better come here on a two-month 'L' visa.
But, as said before, don't assume just yet that they have hired you! That could be a big mistake!

revol · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 4

Sorry I should have been clearer. I have already been invited to work there, it is a done deal.

My question is more about the governmental aspects of the visa - literally what do I have to do? I would be keen to hear from any British teachers who have gone through the process.

Thanks again.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

I guess there are two ways to come to China, the right way and the wrong way.
I have always come with a z-visa. To get the z-visa you must get an invitation letter from the province you are going to teach in. It is an official letter that your school should get and mail to you. You bring this to the Chinese consulate (and one ot two of their forms.
Many people come to China before getting a z-visa (work visa). They come to China on a tourist visa.

Often this is no problem, and a legitimite school that has the legal right to hire you gets you your work visa, residence permit, and foreign experts certificte. Usually colleges are okay in this regard.

Maybe just as often (who knows, not me), often people come on a tourist visa, and the school doesn't truly have the right to hire you, so you must constantly renew your visa, and never work legally. This is often not a problem if you don't mind working illegally, but most of the horror stories about teaching in China come from this group.
Some FAO's from universities suggest you come on a tourist visa because they don't want to be bothered with the paperwork involved, and they know that next year they will have a different job, so if they delay, then it can become someone elses job.

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

It is better to obtain the Z Class visa before you enter China.

When I accepted my position, ( I am Australian ) I decided to have a holiday first.

I applied for my Z Visa in Bangkok and then the horror story began.

I had to pay 7 visits to the Chinese Embassy before they would process my Z Visa. This included having another medical examination in BKK and then the Embassy insisting on original documents from China being sent to BKK.

At all times when visiting the Embassy, you must ensure staff write down the list of documents that you require. Or you may end up on a wild goose chase.

Good luck.

revol · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 4

Thanks all for your help. I think I understand what to do now!
Cheers.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

I wonder if going to the embassy is much worse then going to the consulate. Perhaps at the consulate they aren't as uptight about everything. At the NYC consulate, they took a quick look at my papers; my invitation letter, my somewhat fudged medical, and my check, an extra 30 bucks for same day processing. They said come back after lunch. Sure enough, two hours later I was headed back home with my z-visa.