Job Discussion Forums

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

Here's the deal, I have been working on an L spousal visa for the past year (no flaming please). Obviously this is not so legal and really limits my options workwise.

Last week I approched a company within a seperate province to my own in relation to obtaining a legal Z and RP. Of course this comes at a cost. They have offered to supply with a legal status without having to work for them. This would open a lot of doors for me. Now my question is, if I'm sponsored a visa from say a Shanghai based company, am I legally qualified to work in Sichuan?

Personally I can't see any problem with this but if somebody has actual experience I would appreciate the feedback.

Also, if anybody knows of other companies/schools which are in a position to grant me a work visa without actually working for them directly then please let me know.

Thanks all.

hewlett77 · Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 95 Location: all over China

It's not legal to do so. If you are granted a Z visa from that company in Shanghai it's only valid for that company in that city. You can not use the Z visa in any other provience. I tried looking into it myself here in Shenzhen but no go as it's not legal. Anyhow from my exprience so far an L visa gives you no right to work, married or not. if your lucky you will not be coough if you keep your head down. be very careful even if your on a family L visa. it really only gives you the right to be with your wife here in China not the right to work in China. But you should be able to find a school in your area to help you aplly for a Z visa that's if you want to be employed by them. When i was married to a girl from Harbin a few years back I faced the very same problem you did. It nearly got me kicked out of China. So my advice find a good school that can hire you legally. You don't want to mess with the PSB here. But on the other hand if you are polite with them if you ever come across them it can help a great deal in your suitation.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

Thanks for that.

The situation I'm in is a real headache. I want to be working but in this city there are only 3 schools qualified to hire us foreigners. The first has an adequate supply of peace core volunteers (really wish I could do something about that), the second I worked with for 4 years and they decided to drop me for "fresh blood" the third only hires S.Africans.

What's a man to do?

Silent Shadow · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:20 am Post subject:

Voldermort, I haven't got everthing clear.

Is is that you want to obtain a Z visa and RP without leaving the country?

Otherwise I can't see the motivation of going to the trouble of getting a company in another province that you don't even want to work for obtaining a visa for you.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

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

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

Your best bet is an F visa.

You need to get a local company, language mill or whatever to write a letter of invitation for you. They can say that you are an educational consultant or whatever. But the legality of this is very questionable; as are any other solutions.

Technically with an F visa your pay should be coming from outside China but it seems to be the way most people are leaning.

I would just keep doing what you have been doing. As long as you are not stealing students from the local mill, chances are no one will ever ask any questions.

I don't really have the information you are looking for but if you drop me a PM I will share what I do know.

What is the wife's work situation? Can her company help you?

Good Luck.

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

What work have you been doing on your L spouse visa? Privates? Have the local cops sussed you?

F visa is in reality just the same as you are doing now but maybe possible, I don't know. It means getting others involved in an illegality, so what's in it for them?

Other options:

1. Get a legal job where you are- clearly not easy
2. Keep working as you do -making you nervous I assume
3. Stop working-bordom and maybe money problems
4. Move somewhere else as a family to get the legal work -wife might not fancy that.
5. Go somewhere else yourself and try to keep the family together at a distance and see each other when you can- you or your wife might not fancy that.
6. Try to find a job teaching on-line-Maybe possible.

All are problematic so I dare say you'll have to choose the one that avoids the worst possible outcome for you and your family.

If you haven't been sussed yet I'd be tempted to carry on. If you get a visit you might be at least able to pay someone off on the promise you'll quit working. Either that or option 6, 4 or 5.

Good luck!

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597