Job Discussion Forums

heyjack · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 9 Location: North East china

We've all had the experience of working on an L or F visa. Sometimes it can be frustrating to find a reputable 'International Language School' that will grant a Z visa even though they say they will. And if they do assist with a Z visa the school demands a month salary to be held back until the visa expires.

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

No, actually "we've all" not done such things. There are thousands of jobs out there.

heyjack · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 9 Location: North East china

Since coming to China I have discovered that all teachers I spoken with had the same experience. Upon arriving they had been told that they must have the medical exam and then while waiting for the results and preparing to travel outside of China to obtain the Z visa they would have classes.
I waited almost a month before I went to HK for my visa.
So, actually, I did teach with only an L visa, at which the school said was normal.
Was I or were we being duped?

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

I received my invitation letter

Went to the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas

Obtained my Z Visa

Flew to China

Received my FEC

Began working

School took me to the health department for the medical exam

Obtained my Resident Permit

The process is pretty clear on the internet, so I am so confused why all the teachers you spoke to didn't know the legal process for obtaining working credentials.

Yes, I'd say you're being duped as you put it. The internet and its ability to be a research tool does wonders.

mike w · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:22 am Post subject:

You were being duped.

Some schools do work this way, and are able to convert your visa.

Some schools lie and tell you they will convert your L visa when you arrive, knowing that they can't. (Usually because they cannot legally hire foreigners)

Some schools will issue the correct documentation for you to obtain a Z visa before leaving your home country, and will have it converted to a Residents Permit within 28 days of your arrival.

The latter is the only correct and proper method, and obviously is legal.

If someone chooses to go down the L or F visa road, then you pays your money and you takes your chance.

It has been correctly pointed out on this forum many, many times, that working on an L visa is illegal. No 'ifs' or 'buts' - it is illegal.

samhouston · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 418 Location: LA

mike w · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:56 am Post subject:

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

Why work illegally when it it totally unnecessary?

Illegal schools always tell you it is okay. They even have people on forums to encourage it. But none of them help you if you are facing deportation.

You have to decide if the risk is worth it.

samhouston · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 418 Location: LA

heyjack · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 9 Location: North East china

At the time of being "duped" I did teach at the school for the first month on an L visa. After which one other teacher and I did go to HK and get the Z visa. There wasn't a problem for us to change our visa status.

crunchyone · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 65

All of that waiting for a Z visa works fine if you are happy to get a job in a place you have never seen, working for and with people you have never met.

However, I prefer to get a job in-country, and that means entering the country on a L visa and looking for work. The time taken for the Z visa paperwork to go through the system can be spent working for the company putting the paperwork through, and earning money, and giving them a dry run.

It is not likely that those doing it like this will end up working for operations who cannot suppy the paperwork for a Z visa as it is easy to meet current employees and ask about their visa situation.

c

heyjack · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 9 Location: North East china

I must agree with crunchyone. I've read horror stories and also spoken with newcomers that had bad experiences. I got 'duped' once and that's once too often.
A newcomer arrives here, gets into a bad situation, and suddenly it's his or her fault. S/he will learn very quickly that once the Z visa is in order s/he will look for a better opportunity. And in many cases an L visa.
Why work for a "reputable' school or the use of the many recruiters when you can look for yourself?
Most times a private language school or acadamy will pay double the salary than an international school or even a university...and less hours. The problem is that the private language schools can't help or assit with a Z visa.

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

Any private language school that is SAFEA licensed can provide a Z visa.

portslee · Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 7

This is my own personal experience:

First, just let me say that neither am I, nor do I claim to be, an expert on Chinese visa regulations. This is purely relating my own experience in an anecdotal way.

I had a job offer before I came to China from Korea - I'm British but had been teaching in ROK for a few years previously. I came over on an L visa and started work. My boss at that first school sent my passport to Beijing and got me an F visa for 6 months.

Things didn't work out at that school so I left for another school in a different province (still on good terms with the boss). They first extended my F visa for a month because it was about to expire. Then they sent me for the medical check, got the relevant documents from me and I had my RP and one year visa in less than a month, without my leaving the country - or the city, for that matter.

That's just my experience. I know it's illegal to work on an L visa, although I'm still not sure about the F visa. I don't condone it, but I took the risk and it worked out for me.

P.S. I'm intrigued about so many people saying they had to go to HK or elsewhere to get their Z visa. As stated above, my F visa was converted to a Z visa and I didn't even need to leave the city. What gives?

chinatwin88 · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 379 Location: Peking

The regs allow the in country change of visas if the criteria is met. During the interim wait, whether or not it is legal to work is anyone�s guess. I understand from the PSB that while your visa is being process if it goes out of date during the time which the authority has it in their procession, you can legally continue to work till receiving your new RP.