Job Discussion Forums

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

I have worked jobs in the USA where things switched at the last minute too - but I have to give notice on my apartment and get rid of furniture.

Looking at the ads - it looks as if many schools have waited till the last minute - come over now it says - then go to Hong Kong for visa.

I got a message to buy a ticket - I can't do that - not KNOWING the date they want me to start teaching - not KNOWING if I have a work visa.

The freshman thing makes sense to me - I had heard that before - but still they need to get more organized and get the documents we need on a timeline and get it all finished.

Hey I know things can be disorganized in schools - been there and done that - but I am flying halfway around the world - so they need to get it together!

Guerciotti · Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:43 am Post subject:

The waiting is the hardest part.
Every day you get one more yard.

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

My contract is for mid September - I am still waiting for the invitation letter.

Kysorb · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 253 Location: Beijing

The hardest part is trusting your school is actually doing what they say they are doing..

The second hardest part is realizing that like your government back home, the moment the school submits something it goes into the bureaucratic abyss. It is just like when you submitted your passport application back home, nontransparent and untraceable, and only comes out when its done.

Like good a good BBQ cook the government cooks its paperwork low and slow.

My hardest thing about waiting is ignoring other legit offers from Korean schools because I want my China offer to work out.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Oh dear,

I just came across this topic. I was offered a job in Shanghai to start September 20th and was told they had applied for my invitation letter yesterday August 28th (this is all a bit last minute) and expect to get it around September 10th so I should book flights.
From what I'm reading here that sounds risky. Is it possible that they will get it that soon?
?

dharma86 · Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 187 Location: Southside baby!

Book your flight when you apply for your visa. You have 2 or 3 days to wait for that to finish anyway.

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

My letter has still not arrived.

I am applying for other jobs at this point - been looking and applying for some - but now I am looking even more.

keroppifrog · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 7

I had been looking for a job for about 1 month until I finally found a couple schools who would get me the proper papers for a Z visa.

I only have my high school education.

Two weeks ago, the school I decided to go with told me to go get my physical done, because they had submitted my info for the permit.

I got the permit and invitation in the mail today, but I'm still waiting on the HIV portion of my physical.

Not much of a story here. Just sayin it took me 2 weeks to get the papers from the time I accepted the job, and I don't even have a BA or certificate of any kind. The school is in Shandong. The pay is good. The teaching hours are low, and I have an amazing shedual.

I'll go apply for the visa when my blood work gets done within a day or two, and expect to be in Shanghai by the end of the weekend!

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

I supplied my contract and physical almost a month ago.

I didn't realize you could get hired with a high school education - I thought a 4 year degree was a requirement.

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

Okay apparently my invitation letter is on the way - however - I am assuming the consulates are closed for the weekend - maybe even Monday?

Also my contract said Sept. 20 - but now they are wanting me next week - which I don't understand - I don't have visa yet.

I also have some last minute things to do.

Basically they want me to go to a consulate this Friday through Sunday and be on a plane immediately from the consulate.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

take it all with a grain of salt. i was advised once to get a chinese visa at the chinese consulate in taiwan. tell them you'll be there once you have your visa and can get on a plane. end of story.

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

I understand what you are saying - I am thinking I should email my concerns and tell them I can't be there next week - I certainly did not want to sell all my belongings (furniture and car till the last minute in case they cancelled). Give up my apartment and part time job here until I knew I had a contract and visa. I do realize many teachers - but not all - have family members or friends who could take care of these last details - however that is not the case for me.

I quess I have the option of stating my concerns and letting them know I can't arrrive by this next Monday to Wednesday - and allowing them to cancel me now - or waiting till I don't get the visa on time and then going over and being cancelled then - after arrival and with no place to return to or a car when I get there.

I am not even sure I can get an affordable ticket now for the third week of September.

Is it even legal for me to come over and begin teaching before my contract date?

I assumed my visa would say Sept. 20th on it for a start date with the college.

Technically they should have had my visa to me a few weeks ago.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

there's little to explain. you'll book an air ticket once you have the visa, not a minute sooner. once you know the date you're leaving then you can email them and tell them when you arrive. of course you can book your air ticket now but if you need to change it you're going to pay a penalty. on the upside for you air ticket prices (typically) start going down in september since the peak summer season is ending.

the visa and the start date on the contract have little relation to one another. your visa is valid from the day its issued, and theoretically if you could be in china the following day to start work, you're ok regardless of what the contract says. you wont be but there's nothing illegal about it, its just a minor amendment to a start date on a contract. better to start working earlier if possible anyway as you can get right into the job and can start earning income earlier.

do you have any extra cash saved up in the event you end up in china with no job (and you have to start searching again) and no place to go back home? credit card? sounds as if the answer might be no.

its crucial that people arrive in a new country with a healthy bank account, unfortunately its an all too common mistake people make. They show up with nothing and when problems arise these people find themselves in hot water. Arriving with no cash in hand is a scenario sometimes followed by this: the teacher is not being paid by the school. and without salary or savings the teacher cant leave, so what do they do? they keep working in the hope that they'll finally be paid. there are a few stories on this forum of this happening and sometimes the stories ended badly.

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

I do have some cash and plastic - but would prefer not to use them to much of course - I do want the job - but it is just so last minute of them - I checked the consulate it is closed Sat to Mon for labor day - then even if I rush the visa and use a courier (which is costing me more money) it is still getting down to the last minute - but I had no idea they would want me to fly over so many days before a contract start.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I agree with 7969 and others who advise relax and book the flight when you have the visa. Chances are the foreign affairs office of your university has as much idea about procedures in the US as you have of procedures in China. If the school is sending you the visa package (work permit and visa notification aka invitation letter) then they have committed to having you.

Just get the visa whichever method, as soon as possible and then book the next reasonably priced flight. Don't pay a premium for a quick flight unless the school agrees to refund it. They will understand. Just mention there is a holiday and then update them as soon as possible on your itinerary.