| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
tmax500
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 21
|
 Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject: starting a job on a tourist visa - possible? |
 |
|
I read that you need to be in your home country to get a z visa. Is this true?
There's one employer offering a job where I'd arrive on a tourist visa, after which I'd do a visa run. Is this legal/ possible? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
dean_a_jones
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Wuhan, China
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I realise the search function is not always working (I just tried and it didn't) but do try it over the next day or two to get full details, as it is a common question. Here is a response I wrote in an earlier thread discussing HK and visa runs (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=91036):
| Quote: |
If you show up on a tourist visa, expect the following:
1) Never to obtain the right paperwork and remain illegal, meaning if they screw you over in any way, you don't really have a leg to stand on.
2) Turn up for a job interview and, after which, if they don't like you, to scramble for a job or head home. If they do like you, option 1 or 3.
3) Get your paperwork sorted as promised for the z-visa, then have to pay your own way to Hong Kong and back for a visa run.
Normal procedure is to enter on the z-vsia. Once you enter on a z-visa, your school will transfer it into the Residency Permit and FEC which is what you need to legally work in China.
It is getting late in the summer, so they might just be rushing you over for a September start, and will sort you out. I would certainly at least find out if you will need to go on a visa run, and if so, who will pay for it etc. Speak to current teachers if you can get their contact details, see what their situation is.
Some people (say they) have experience coming in on a L visa and getting upgraded to a residency permit and FEC without going on a visa run, but I certainly wouldn't expect that to happen. |
So the risk is yours to take. It could all work out, you might not have a job, or you might be stuck somewhere that repeatedly tries to screw you over (while at the same time whispering promises in your ear). Trying to speak to current FTs at the school usually helps in terms of getting a clear picture.
Remember if you want to try to apply in Hong Kong the paperwork the school obtains for you to get a z-visa needs to explicitly state this. I have heard others state that HK runs were not possible, but that seems to be that certain provinces or schools might not be able to get the paperwork to list a place other than the applicants home country, rather than z-visas not being available in HK. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Scott 1955
Joined: 18 Jun 2011
Posts: 51
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
WW
Last edited by Scott 1955 on Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
7969
Joined: 26 Mar 2003
Posts: 5782
Location: Coastal Guangdong
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Where did u read this? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lockedinadrawer
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
Working on an L visa is I L L E G A L. It's not too difficult to read and follow the visa issuance laws. Besides, L = visitor. Worker does NOT = visitor. It is possible in some cases to come to China on an L visa, then leave to get the Z visa later, but that does not mean you can work while in-country with the L visa.
Where exactly is the desperation for people to leave their country unprepared in all aspects - including legal visa status? I'm sure your own country frowns upon it, but everyone scatters here to not follow the rules ... I wonder why. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tmax500
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 21
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
Many thanks for the feedback! I wont go for the job unless they could organise a z visa before I leave. I dont want to get messed around with the visa status.
By the way, a recruiter in Tianjin said its not possible to get a z visa if Im coming from another country in Asia, and that I need to be in my country to set up the z visa. Anyone know about this? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dean_a_jones
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Wuhan, China
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
By the way, a recruiter in Tianjin said its not possible to get a z visa if Im coming from another country in Asia, and that I need to be in my country to set up the z visa. Anyone know about this?
|
I have not actually done it, but am reading more and more that some places (Korea, Thailand) will not issue a z-visa for China unless you are on a student or working visa in those countries. Perhaps someone else can confirm this.
| lockedinadrawer wrote: |
| Working on an L visa is I L L E G A L. It's not too difficult to read and follow the visa issuance laws. |
It is not too difficult to read other peoples posts either, yet somehow....
I am not sure the OP ever mentioned 'working' on an L visa, just coming over and then doing the visa run. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tmax500
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 21
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
The job would actually start right away in China. Decided not to go for it without the z visa.
I would be coming from Korea, so I wonder how I can get a job in China without going to my home country. I read that the Chinese embassy in Korea doesnt organise tourist visas but certain travel agencies do. Maybe its the same for work visas in China? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
i got my z-visa in thailand about a year ago. consulate staff never
asked what type of thai visa i had, and i could find no documentation
requiring a certain type of visa. i was on a one-year study visa at the
time, so cannot say whether it would have been a problem. others
around the same time did have z-visas issued while on tourist visas.
i've read this has changed, but have no direct knowledge.
prior to applying for the z-visa, i came to china on a tourist visa to
visit friends. just happened to hear about a job opening at a nearby
university. went in for a chat with the fao and department head.
while on a tourist visa. perfectly legal. fao didn't think it would be
possible to 'convert' the visa (at least not legally). vacation over,
returned to thailand, awaited paperwork, applied for visa. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
