Job Discussion Forums

relaxtischina · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 113

Hi all. Having lived in China for around 2.5 years I have learnt a lot about the way things work here but here is a broad topic that is new for me and I cant seem to easily find much info on these issues either.
Currently I am going through the process of changing over my hard fought for Z visa/FEC/RP and via changing my Job and it seems from a FEC to a work permit ( excuse me if I haven�t used the exact term for a work permit ).
More background: My current RP/FEC expires on the 1st of July and I am based in Suzhou, Jiangsu.
Ok so here are my questions that may be of benefit to others as well. Some of my questions I realize broaden this topic so please forgive me for that.

Q 1. What are the likely Pros/Cons for changing over to a work permit from a FEC ( apart from what I will include in other questions ) .

I have already been told by the labor department ( went there personally with my new employer a few days ago ) that even though I already have a FEC and RP because I am changing over to a work permit ( work permits are issued by a the labor ministry it seems not the Foreign Expert department and they of course don�t have anything to do with each other ) I must go through all the steps as though, its seems, I am making a new application. The exception to this is that they also required the release letter from my previous Employer which I have.
These steps include possibly having to obtain a police clearance from my home country ( Australia ) and needing to go to Hong Kong for Z visa processing.

Q2. Even if the invitation letter or other appropriate document spells out that I can process this visa in Hong Kong is it possible the HK Authorities will reject my application because of the 60 year anniversary celebrations or other reason for restricting the inflow of foreigners via HK ?

Q3. If I choose/or am forced to go back to Australia will I be let back into china considering that currently Aus is a hotspot for Swine Flue ?

JGC458 · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 248 Location: Shanghai

The useless, though nonetheless true answer - as you likely (deep down already) know - is that none of us can say for sure how probable any of the issues you raise are. Especially in a time of transition as this now seems to be.

Good luck, you might really need it.

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

I must go through all the steps as though, its seems, I am making a new application. The exception to this is that they also required the release letter from my previous Employer which I have.
These steps include possibly having to obtain a police clearance from my home country ( Australia ) and needing to go to Hong Kong for Z visa processing.

Why possibly? Either you will or won't.

Q2. I wouldn't have thought so but as you know, you never know.

Q3. Depends what occurring at the time but you'd at least have to get the gun pointed at your head before you leave the plane. (I'm sure you know what I mean)

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

What have the'Hong Kong authorities' got to do with yourjob application?

Nothing at all. Not even if you are given an invitation letterstating itsbearermust apply for a new work visa in Hong Kong.

If you do that you will be dealing with the mainland authorities based in HK.

As said by others - youneed a release letter.Why wouldn't you want to get that?

danielb · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 490

If you are on an FEC and RP you can change over to an Alien Worker�s Permit and new RP without leaving the country.

The checklist that comes from the Labour Bureau mentions all of the things you need and I guess that is where it mentioned the criminal history check. Is that correct? I saw that too when I changed over but when I checked with them they said they didn�t need it.

I changed over when I moved from Guangdong to Beijing. I needed a release letter, CV and translation, copies of degrees, about six passport photos, letter from my new employer, labour contract and copy of my previous medical book from Guangdong. They didn�t require a new medical.

Hope this helps.

relaxtischina · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 113

These steps include possibly having to obtain a police clearance from my home country ( Australia ) and needing to go to Hong Kong for Z visa processing.

Why possibly? Either you will or won't.

" Possibly " : because we where told by the labor authority that if I can produce my old FEC ( which is held by the school ) then " perhaps " I may not need a police clearance. I asked the government officer to confirm one way or the other but she would not.