Job Discussion Forums

[funkyging]

Hey guys, i just joined the site so hello to everyone that reads this post =D

Some basic info: My name is Jamie, I'm 24 with a Bachelors in web design and devolpent with some experience teaching in highschool and doing a lot of councilling in my last 2 years of school.

Im really just looking for some general information right now based off of e-mails ive recieved from the company that is dealing with my contract.

So its a job in Xin yuan province of Shanghai in a training school for a 1 year contract.

I first applied for a position through a company called ESLTeachersdirect ( http://eslteachersdirect.co.uk) off of a advert placed on gumtree. I am generally dubious and suspicious of anything on gumtree but it was worth a shot. I got a reply within 24 hours and contracted by Momo ( full name Mhoraig and im sure its to do with being hard to say in china) and then i got a interview with a school heacher teacher within a week with them being happy with my interview.

I forwarded all the essentials for them to process the work visa ( passport scan,scan of bachelors degree, signed contract with school) and i got a reply from Momo saying everything went fine and the school was processing my work visa and to get ready to book the flight as they want me there on the 14th February

I did a search for the company ESLTeachersdirect plus Mhoraig on google and couldnt find any evidence of scam or fraud( plus they havent asked me for any money yet =D )

The things i would like some input from all you experienced lot *points at you* " yes you, you know who you are!" would be

1.) does this sound legit/Normal process for applying for work in China.

2.) How do i enter China to get the work Visa off of the representative thats supposed to meet me in the Airport, surely i would need to provide documentation before im allowed near the pick up area of the airport ( They said i didnt need to apply for a tourist visa unless there was a issue with lack of time for the work visa as its less than 4 weeks before i would be out there)

3.) Does anyone have any experience or suggestions on insurance whilst im in China? The school provides a basic accident cover but anything more than that i would have to deal with myself. Should iwait until i get my Medical in China before getting a local insurance?


I cant think of any more off the top of my head but i know i have a few more in here i could do with being answered. So thanks to everyone who ahve taken the time in reading this and i greatly appreciate any feedback

Thanks =)

[nickpellatt]

You DO need to apply for a visa before travelling. You probably cant even board the plane without it! So that part sounds a little weird.

Do you know the name of the training school? Share it if you have it.

The visa definitely needs to be applied for at your end prior to travel though. If they can arrange the work visa as you suggest, they need to send you an invitation letter which accompanies you application to the Chinese embassy in your home country.

[funkyging]

Shanghai Xin Yuan Training School, 1126 Cai Chang Road, Nan Qiao Town, Feng Xian District, Shanghai, China

Thats the address i was given

[kev7161]

You'll get the Z visa you need at home from the nearest Chinese embassy based on the documents you receive from the school. Once you arrive, your school will (should?) change that Z visa into a Residence permit, usually good for one year. Then the school will (should) get you a Foreign Experts Certificate (FEC). You should not be working on a tourist visa.

[funkyging]

Thanks kev, i'll ask about the Z-visa thing and ask her to clarify the process of me arriving in china and getting my permit =)

[knight4ever]

As part of the Z visa process, you will also need to have a medical check performed by your doctor or clinic BEFORE you enter China to work. The school you applied to will send you the official form. MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR FILLS IT OUT PRECISELY! The Chinese Embassy will not issue a Z visa without the medical check.

Now here's the kicker. You will need ANOTHER medical check performed once you arrive in China. Ask your school if they will cover the cost or at least pay half of the cost of these exams. Oh, and they want a chest X-ray and ECG as part of the medical check.

Kev is right. Do not work on a tourist visa.

[Kysorb]

[knight4ever]

Kysorb :

You are right. The double medical check applies to only certain countries. I'm from the States and we must have a medical check before we are issued a Z visa. They would not let me get around this.

[funkyging]

Would you guys be able to give me some extra information on the visa process i need to get to work in China.

So far, i understand the school has to apply for the work visa internally and ive submitted everything an have been told they are processing that now.

But i need to get a z visa aswell before i go to China?

From what the head teacher said in a conversation a few days ago...

"Okay, I will let you know I can help you get the work permit or not next week. If not you have to get the Z visa. But the problem is if you get the Z visa you only come to China but you cannot work in China. We still should help you get a work visa but you have to go to HongKong and change the visa."


Does that mean irrelebrnt if she can get a work visa or not, i still have to apply for a Z visa and what do i need from them to start processing it? Considering i have less than 26 days before i go i need to hurry =)

[nickpellatt]

Ill attempt to explain.

You need a visa to enter China. Its possible you may even need a current visa to be allowed to board a flight to China. Attempting to enter any country without the required visa means you arent going to pass through immigration, and you will get turned straight back around.

There are some exceptions, and some countries will process a visa at the border entry point. China is NOT one of those countries. You cannot simple board a plane with a passport and get in. You need a visa beforehand.

China offers a number of visa options depending on the purpose of your visit. The work visa discussed here is a Z type. This needs to be applied for in your country of residence, and will be inserted into your passport allowing entry to China. To apply for a Z visa, your sponsoring employer needs to issue you an offical invitation letter which will accompany your visa application in your country of residence. When you are in China, your employer will go through the process of changing this visa into a work permit etc.

Yes, when in-country they should be able to complete the process and get things changed and completed for you. But you will need an entry visa to get into China first!

The process you are involved in sounds a little dodgy to me, unless its a simple case of misunderstanding each other. HOWEVER, the mention of a visa run to Hong Kong also sounds a bit dodgy to me. This may involve a considerable expense to you, and if the school/employer is 100% legit I cant see any reason why they dont just issue the invitation letter and do things the normal way. There would appear to be no reason stopping this employer doing things in a straightfoward manner, if they are indeed licensed to employ foreign teachers. Some are not!

China is a strange place with rules bent and broken to suit different circumstances in different places, with diferent people. There are people working on tourist visas, there are people working on business visas. Other people enter China on tourist visa and get them changed over (not always an easy process), some people get legal residency etc without the required qualifications.

However ...and this is my advice, which can be disregarded entirely if you wish. You are a youngish person with zero relevant EFL experience, and I believe zero related qualifications. You are taking a post in one of, if not THE major city in China, where things are expensive and regulations are more likely to be enforced or checked. There is already some confusion over visas with this employer...all of this looks like a pretty bad move to me. Sure, things could work out fine, and I normally suggest people often have to just take a leap of faith.....this is looking like a rather large leap of faith, and is one I wouldnt personally take considering everything you have shared here.

[funkyging]

I jsut got an e-mail with the information i needed, panic over =P

"The school have told me today that they will be sending your visa documents by special delivery at the end of the month, to arrive with you on, or before the 5th of February. The embassy in Edinburgh has an express service which is next day collection on visa's for an extra �15. I would suggest that as the time is so short, you may need to go directly to the Chinese consulate in Edinburgh rather than post. "

[nickpellatt]

we were posting at the same time!

So the visa part looks OK. I would still advice some caution. I looked at the recruiters website, and am less than impressed. I also looked at their download application form, which is a rather amateur contract suggesting they will take 20% of your salary for the first months.

The full terms of your employment might also be worth sharing. I take it you have seen the full contract with details of class types (is it 5 year olds or 25 year olds), how many class hours a week, salary details, details of living accomodation/utility costs etc (often provided free) and details of flight reimbursement etc. Shanghai isnt a cheap place to live.

[funkyging]

So the visa part looks OK. I would still advice some caution. I looked at the recruiters website, and am less than impressed. I also looked at their download application form, which is a rather amateur contract suggesting they will take 20% of your salary for the first months.
Yes, the contract states 20% of base salary for 4 months. I can understand being a contracter that is how they would make there money, However i feel the benefits of having a advisor on hand whenever i need them in regards to living in china to teaching methods/lesson plans and training when i need it is invaluable. If it was for any more than 4 months though i would of rejected the contract

The full terms of your employment might also be worth sharing.
I know its a 20 hour teaching post and the class age will range from 5-15 yr olds.
The salary is 5000RMB a month. The accomidation is paid for by the school and i have a 500RMB utility bill every month.



My suspicious mind was in full flow right at the start of conversing with Momo and i even asked her for proof of the business so i do have a copy of her business license.

[nickpellatt]

Dude, that doesnt look like much of a deal to me. 4000 a month for 4 months for quite a heavy timetable, in ShangHai looks a bad deal. Sorry.

I would be interested to see how much added value the recruiter does add. Generally, once you are in-situ, support would be minimal if at all. Expect zero help with lesson planning and training ... are they even in Shanghai, as the recommendations feature placements in other parts of China.

Perhaps more people can offer insight into ShangHai working/living. I havent been there. This doesnt look like a great offer to me, but that doesnt mean it wont work out for you and exceed your expectations. Good luck with it!

[cormac]