Job Discussion Forums

mk177

I am currently teaching in Ningxia, and my Z visa, resident permit and contract end at the end of Fenruary.

I am looking at a new job in Chengdu starting in March, and I have been told the school does not have time to process my new resident permit due to the holidays etc. Does this sound right? They have asked me that I will have to go to Hing Kong myself and pay for everything, including travel and Z visa costs.

Do you think there is still time to process everything now, and should I take this

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

It sounds like it could be POSSIBLE, the holiday does shut down a lot of places, but there are many people who have "connections" to get these things pushed through. I can't give you specifics, unfortunately, but I have seen "impossible" things done by people who know people.

mk177 · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 9:42 am Post subject:

thanks for the reply

i do not think the school have necessary connections to do this. so is it normal to have to pay for all the visas expenses that are incurred to go to hong kong to get the Z visa, or should the school pay for this?

thanks

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

They will have to get you a new FEC first so that might cause the delay. If you are happy with the school tell them you'll go to the local PSB in Ningxia and get your RP changed into a tourist visa which will be good for 30 days. You better move quickly though. After the holidays the school should be able to get you an FEC in Chengdu and hence the RP.

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

The key point here is that you KNEW well in advance the expiration dates of your documents. Better planning ahead of time will give you proper time to renew or apply for new documents.

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

He might have just gotten the job, ttoriel; that is, he was planning to leave the country when the old job ended.

Eyrick3 · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 161 Location: Beijing, China

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

It could be done but if the school has said no then I wouldn't plan on it.

If you have to go to Hong Kong see if the school will count that toward your international travel reimbursement. It doesn't make sense that you should have to pay for it (don't forget I use Western logic not Chinese logic). Ask them and see what they say. If they say no then you can always say, "Sorry, I can't work for you" they might quickly change thier minds.

You should be willing to back up what you say. So don't say this lightly.

I would make sure they process the paperwork you need to take to Hong
Kong with you quickly. Travel is difficult this time of year and getting the correct documents together can be even more difficult. Always remember keeping you documents up to date is your responsibility, the school doesn't have to pay the fine if you overstay a visa, you do!

Good luck.

Renegade_o_Funk · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 125

mk177 · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the replies.

I have applied for a tourist visa, which I will be recieving tomorrow morning. I have been in contact with the same school who have stated that they would be willing to pay for my return ticket to Shenzhen to get the work visa, but I will have to pay for the actual visa itself. Should I insist that this is placed into the contract before i sign?

I am travelling to Chengdu next week, and I will meet the manager from the school. I realise we can negotiate with contracts but I don't know how hard. I know that the manager is desperate for teachers as I have spoken to a current employee at the school, who had good things to say. I realise it is best to negotiate, but how hard?

In terms of the medical exams, which I may need, as I last had them done in September, the school says I will have to pay for them. How much do they normally cost, and should I ask the school to pay for this?

Also what about the flight from Yinchuan to Chengdu, can I ask the school to pay for this?

Thanks

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

mk177 · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:33 am Post subject:

But the contract states all visa costs inside China should be borne by the employer, but outside of China they are borne by the employee. Is this reasonable? is the medical examination a part of the visa cost?

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

I edited my last post, mk177.

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

The medical exam should cost about 280RMB and the Z visa another 800 (cost for Americans less if you are other than). The school should pay the cost of the medical since it is required to get your FEC or RP (can't remember which.

The medical has to be done in the province where you work so the school should be responsible. But everyone does it a little different, ask the other teachers what they had to pay for. The school might be sticking it to everyone. In that case I would pay it and not start by rocking the boat to much. But that's me.