Job Discussion Forums

hiptoclip · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

Hi everyone. I am a teacher in Beijing. I ofcoarse have a Z visa. The problem is I am going to a new school next semester. My old school gave me a release paper with the school stamp on it. The problem is the new school still needs to send in my paper work for the red book, they have not done it yet. Then either they or I apply for the Z visa.
BUT my Z visa expires on January 25. The new School just called me and told me that they will send my papers tommorrow for the red book. But they might not be able to get it in time, and I may need to leave China on the 25, Which I do not want to do. I have not signed a contract with the new school, as they have said that they need to get the red book for me first before I sign the contract.
The two schools are both well known professional schools, but I am running out of time. SO...... what should I do ???
Should I get a different visa while I wait for my new school to process my red book ? If so, which one should I get ? How much will it cost ?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

The "Red Book" usually takes three working days to process.

You might want to apply a little pressure.

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

By Z visa I assume you mean Residency Permit (which replaces the Z visa in your passport).

The red book.......do you mean your Foreign Expert Certificate? If so, why can't your new school go and get it. It takes no time. The Education Bureau just need to see your resume and certificates to determine if you fulfill the criteria for the job then issue the FEC. That's what happens in Nanjing, same day service. It's now the 7th, you need the book within 18 days. I know it's China but.............

If the worst comes to the worst and you don't have the FEC by 21st ask someone from the school to accompany you to the PSB and explain the situation. They can issue you a F visa for a month to cover you.

BTW, school should cover ALL reasonable costs related to permits required to work legally, maybe not for the F visa though.

Good luck.

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

They need to apply for a work permit (takes in some jurisdictions 3 weeks or longer), the FEC (less than one week) and your RP.

Why don't you just ask for a one-month extension to your existing RP?

Kibbs · Joined: 20 Nov 2008 Posts: 64

As long as your application is TRULY pending at the PSB, you will be fine.. But don't hang on the words of your school. Go to the PSB yourself and inquire. Make sure the application has been received and is being processed.

You should be on residence status by now, not z visa.. Disregard the expiry in your z visa, it is the expiry in your residence permit which matters most..

hiptoclip · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

Hi everyone thanks for your help. I think working permit = red book and residence permit = Z visa. They both expire for me on the same date. January 25. So my new school is starting the process for the working permit today, meaning giving the psb my paper work today January 8. I was told by some people that once the papers are in it should take five working days to be ready. Is that true ??? Then the school, or the school and I apply for the Z visa. So I have 18 days to get this done. I want to stay in China to do this. Do I have enough time ??? And any other ideas on what I should do. ? Thanks.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Take someone from your new school to the PSB office that issues RPs. Find out from the local PSB what you should do. Ask the people who actually handle the permits. You know, the people in your area who make the decisions.

Explain the situation to the authorities who make the decisions regarding your documents, you know, the people in your location who actually know exactly what they want you to do. ASK THEM!

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Mister Al as always, excellent advice. In Henan as well, the working permit can be done in one day, no problem, though a couple of days is usual. Working Permit is basically the FEC, the FEC is done after the working permit, the proof of the work permit

And as Kibbs said, as long as your application is in the PSB hands by Jan 25, you are fine I wouldn't worry about it too much, but I would start being troublesome if by Jan 15 nothing had been done. PSB 5 working days standard.
I would suggest you change your terminology of the z-visa. Your z-visa should have expired a long time ago, it should have actually been cancelled. The Z-visa is only good for 30 days after arrival in China. The RP, Residence Permit, a sticker in your passport is the all important thing.

Personally I would negotiate with your college for a RP that extends 30 days past the last working date of the contract. In my contract, I have the school write something like Aug 1st to Aug 30 is an unpaid month. But the contract says until Aug 30th, so the RP also says to Aug 30, gives extra time for these matters, or just travelling, what have you

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

hiptoclip · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

Hi everyone. Once again thank you for the replies. To update the situation. As of today. January 15 I have still not gotten my "red book" Working permit back. It's not ready yet so say the PSB. So now I am really getting worried, as my current working permit, and residence permit both expire on January 25. So next week is my last full week under the current visa. So.... what should I do ??? Just hope i get the working permit sometime next week, then apply for the residence permit ? Will I have to go to Hong Kong for a day to renew the visa there ? Since this is my final week on the visa, and I would like to stay in China. Any advice, help or suggestions would be good. Thanks.

Sonnibarger · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 320 Location: Wuhan

no worres man.. aslong as the paperwork is in the right place you dont need to worry about your current visa... worse case you should be able to get an extension in your city without having to worry about going to hong kong.

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

The PSB don't issue the red book, it's the local Education Department. As I said before if you don't get it by Wednesday go to the PSB with someone from your school, explain the situation and ask them to give you a F visa for a month. By that time you should get your FEC and apply for the Residency Permit when you get it. If they say no it's out of the country I'm afraid.
I'm pretty sure they won't extend a Z visa.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Ditto Al. Exactly

hiptoclip · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

Hi everyone, I had a friend call PSB, they said they need my red book to renew my z visa, ( which i already know ). So I will wait till wednesday to hear if my red book is ready. if not.... then it looks like I will have to go to hong kong. So... has anyone gone there recently to get there visa. I do not know where to go. I have not talked to a visa agent. I know I need an invitation letter from my new school and money for the visa. But what else do I need. Any forms to fill out. And where do i go. I am an American. So.. once again thanks in advance for the advice.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Advice ... get that Red Book.. If the school hasn't gotten you the Red Book (now Blue in many places) the FEC, then they probably have not gotten you the invitation letter, because the two are done together when you are already in country.