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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 378
Location: Kwangchow
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 Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:41 am Post subject: Re: returning foreign expert's certificate |
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| Trinley wrote: |
| I didn't return my FEC to my school when I worked in China a few years ago. I still have it though. Does anyone know if that will cause me any worries when I go to apply for another one this fall? Thanks! |
Don't worry about the one from a few years ago (I did the same, kept mine as memento). You and I are probably okay, especially if the jobs were before May 2008 when all this job-transfer rigamorole became an ass-pain. But be prepared, as I am, to sacrifice your current FEC in order to transfer jobs. As a hedge, scan the first page so that you have a document to give the next FAO (they often ask for a copy).
Myself, I'm not sure when to make "the handoff". I need a reference form, and my FAO claims he needs my FEC before I can pick up the reference form. Meanwhile, I am a foreign expert for almost two more months yet, so feel that this document is my identification. In fact, the FEC helps me when I wire money to my wife, for the simple reason that then the clerk knows how to spell her name. It is also less risky to subject the FEC to city pickpockets than my passport, for mundane tasks like bank errands.
One of the prospective recruiters I'm negotiating with claims that at her school I'll have to let the FAO hold onto my FEC. That sounds sketchy to me. I mean, this is China, not Saudi Arabia. Granted, they are not asking for my passport, but the FEC is a much handier document for travelling within China, for the simple reason that it is thinner and hotel clerks will accept it in lieu of a passport. |
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JennyJK
Joined: 03 May 2010
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:47 am Post subject: |
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Ok, I'm going to be a complete newbie and ask the stupid question of what exactly is the FEC booklet everyone is talking about? I know FEC is foreign expert certificate but I thought that was the piece of paper we gave in when we completed the application for our resident permit?
We've got our passports back with all the correct visa's etc but am I supposed to have something else?
Excuse the ignorance but I have to learn from somewhere. |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 378
Location: Kwangchow
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| Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:51 am Post subject: |
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| JennyJK wrote: |
Ok, I'm going to be a complete newbie and ask the stupid question of what exactly is the FEC booklet everyone is talking about? I know FEC is foreign expert certificate but I thought that was the piece of paper we gave in when we completed the application for our resident permit?
We've got our passports back with all the correct visa's etc but am I supposed to have something else?
Excuse the ignorance but I have to learn from somewhere. |
Welcome Jenny! Questions prove that you are not ignorant.
The Foreign Expert Certificate (FEC) is a passport-size document that "is to be used as identification for foreign experts working in China". It contains pages for you and your accompanying family members, with pictures and basic information. Passport numbers are part of this information, allowing you to keep your passport in a safe location while you live here. Having an FEC gives assurance that your employment is actually on file with the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), and that "the bearer is entitled to conveniences and treatments for foreign experts provided by the government of the People's Republic of China".
Not all teachers are given these documents, and I'm not sure why. I think it's the laziness of some FAOs, but that this an important document that we should insist on, second in importance to the Z-visa. It is very convenient for money-changing, hotel check-in, and serving as one identification for entire families. However, individual passports can suffice for all of these purposes. IMHO, the FEC more importantly validates that you are under the auspices of the SAFEA program.
Legally, you are supposed to apply for, and be issued, an FEC within 30 days of entering China on a Z-visa. However, this process is often discouraged or ignored by FAOs. You can learn more at the SAFEA website:
http://www.safea.gov.cn/english/
Click the link on "policy release" for the legalese (in Chinglish, of course!): http://www.safea.gov.cn/english/content.php?id=12742811 |
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JennyJK
Joined: 03 May 2010
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 4:30 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks so much. That clears things up for me. Now I can go and ask the school about it! |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 378
Location: Kwangchow
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:48 am Post subject: |
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| JennyJK wrote: |
| Thanks so much. That clears things up for me. Now I can go and ask the school about it! |
My single colleagues get along fine without FECs but since you are also married you may find one useful. |
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