Job Discussion Forums

watl1 · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

Hi all

I keep getting told by recruitment agencies (at the last minute) that I would have to come to China on an L or F visa and then get it converted to a Z visa. I can't understand why this would be necessary if a school has a SAFEA licence.

Whilst it's true that I don't have a degree, I didn't think this was a legal requirement due to the way the law can be translated from Chinese (using the word "should" as opposed to "must").

The latest guy sent me a contract to go through (plus an excerpt from the law, which didn't mention the degree aspect), and when I questioned him about the visa, he said the same thing and that the school would try ("try?" I thought...what would happened if they failed?!) to get a Z visa after 2 or 3 months, or would extend the L or F visa. When I said that I wasn't interested in doing this or risking deportation, he said the school could arrange for me to work legally!

Can anyone shed any light on this? I'm beginning to feel like I'm wasting my time with these agencies. Mad

I've started to wonder whether this is because the schools DON'T have SAFEA licences after all, as I can't think of any other reason why a Z visa couldn't just be applied for straight away.

Any thoughts appreciated.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

If you want to come to LEGALLY teach/work in China, then the school should send you a letter of invitation. You use this to get your Z visa in your home country before you come to China. Once in China, a legitimate school will convert your Z visa to a Residence Permit in order for you to live in China and exit and enter during the covered dates of the permit.

Yes of course you can come to China on an L or F visa and it may work out for you . . . or it may not.

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

Your question is answered here: http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/english-teaching-jobs-china.htm

Good luck!

watl1 · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

Thank you for your replies and the link - it looks like an excellent resource!

The agencies make it sound very safe and straightforward to have an L or F visa converted, but I've also read a few horror stories on various forums. I'm trying to exercise caution but, at the same time, don't want to cut myself off from various opportunities - particularly as they are already quite slim due to the absence of a degree!

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

it s true that many places are still converting and if you dont feel confortable with that then by all means dont... but you are right about missed opportunities...as to resources ..look first to the people who write the informatin and check for any problems they may have had in China....also information just written from theviewpoint of one self serving self absorbed western refugee, isnt worth the space taken up on the server

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

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

OP,

Without a degree, you are simply a potential victim. The reason you are getting the kind of offers you are is because without a degree, you can't be legally employed in the better venues, such as respectable universities.

Of course, I'm sure there are non degreed people working in universities, just as there are professors banging their secretaries in those same universities.

How about getting a degree or becoming a legitimate "expert" and then getting a Z visa? You know, do things the right way.