| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 3:07 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| OhBudPowellWhereArtThou wrote: |
| Non Sequitur wrote: |
Chinese have no idea that to purchase a ticket that fits into their allowance cap you have to do so well in advance and have a big penalty for making changes. At least that's the case in my backwoodsy locale.
They also have little idea of timezones which can complicate things even more.
Expect to get a message that you should get your visa stamp 'today and fly tomorrow'. |
Wow. Ain't that true? An FAO was incredulous that I couldn't just buy a ticket today and get on a plane tomorrow. The bimbo couldn't fathom how buying a ticket several weeks in advance would keep the price of the ticket within budget. |
True story.
A former student of mine worked in an electronics exporter in Guangzhou.
Arriving at work one morning at 8am, she checked to see if a letter of credit had been established to cover an imminent shipment to Pakistan. It hadn't.
Without thinking she picked up the phone and dialled. When the Pakistani agent answered, my friend launched into a tirade about documents.
She had to back down rapidly when she was informed that although it may have been 8am in China, it was just 5am in Pakistan.
After she told me this story I emailed her the link to the World Clock site. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Deats
Joined: 02 Jan 2015
Posts: 503
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 10:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| talentedcrayon wrote: |
| 5 weeks? Crap... Looks like I'll be waiting for a while. The girl just started it last week. |
Unfortunately you won't make it for a Sept 1st start (if that's when you are supposed to begin). 5 weeks to process, 1 week to send it, 1 week in the embassy, then you have to book your flights, get there, get over the jet lag and prepare for you lessons. Good old China!
| tony87 wrote: |
Well they replied saying the work permit process takes 2 months, so it should be ready in August.
So it looks like they still want me at the university...though according to everyone on here the process takes 5 weeks?
I'll feel better when the documents arrive for sure! Guess it's just a matter of waiting now then. |
They are lying about it taking 2 months. They are saying this cos they didn't get their arses into gear.
Advice for both of you: DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS! Who knows when you will get your visa. I never book a thing until I have at least been to the embassy and confirmed my visa collection date. Too many variables. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 7:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Spot on Deats!
..and congrats on 500 posts. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Deats
Joined: 02 Jan 2015
Posts: 503
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Cheers NS  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tony87
Joined: 21 Jul 2015
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Deats wrote: |
They are lying about it taking 2 months. They are saying this cos they didn't get their arses into gear.
Advice for both of you: DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS! Who knows when you will get your visa. I never book a thing until I have at least been to the embassy and confirmed my visa collection date. Too many variables. |
Yeah, I won't book anything until I get the documents to apply for the visa.
I'm still somewhat worried but I'm guessing if they decided they didn't want me they just wouldn't have replied at all since I've read that's the Chinese way of doing things? They'd have no real reason to say they were getting the visa sorted if they weren't. And if it makes any difference, they don't have any negative reviews on the internet, the FT I spoke to is happy there, and my interviewer (and also contact at the university regarding the visa and work permit stuff) seems nice and is quick to reply to emails. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 7:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| At this 'nearly but not quite' stage in the job search you should have at least one more application in process. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tony87
Joined: 21 Jul 2015
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| At this 'nearly but not quite' stage in the job search you should have at least one more application in process. |
Are you telling me I should try and get another job elsewhere, give them the documents to apply for the Z visa, then essentially just wait and see which one sends me the paperwork I need first?
I'm not really comfortable doing that...is that completely standard for China? Get a few jobs lined up then just wait and see who gets you the documents first?
The first university have said they still want me, and they seem nice and the FT I spoke to there is happy with everything, so I'm willing to give them the time they need. I guess if the worst happens and it all falls through I can always try and get a Spring semester start somewhere.
I've read on here before that standard procedure in China is just not to reply to emails if they're not going to employ you, so I'm hoping the continued communication is a good sign and I'll get the paperwork I need soon. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bestteacher2012
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 160
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The school replied and said it takes 2 months to process, I agree, it takes anywhere between 5 to 8 weeks, sure your school probably had your documents sitting around for a few weeks before actually doing anything as well. Also factor in it's the summer now, so most FAO probably only work one or two days a week. You will get your documents in a couple of weeks like they say.
If for some reason you do not get your documents, look for something else for Spring semester. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 7:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| tony87 wrote: |
| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| At this 'nearly but not quite' stage in the job search you should have at least one more application in process. |
Are you telling me I should try and get another job elsewhere, give them the documents to apply for the Z visa, then essentially just wait and see which one sends me the paperwork I need first?
I'm not really comfortable doing that...is that completely standard for China? Get a few jobs lined up then just wait and see who gets you the documents first?
The first university have said they still want me, and they seem nice and the FT I spoke to there is happy with everything, so I'm willing to give them the time they need. I guess if the worst happens and it all falls through I can always try and get a Spring semester start somewhere.
I've read on here before that standard procedure in China is just not to reply to emails if they're not going to employ you, so I'm hoping the continued communication is a good sign and I'll get the paperwork I need soon. |
I agree but China doesn't operate on any moral obligation basis* and someone higher up will call the shots on who actually goes to the final offer process.
As the senior FT at my last school I was asked to be the communications point for a qualified teacher coming from Europe. His wife who had a senior government position had arranged cover and his two kids had been pretty well organised into Chinese schools.
One morning the FAO called me to say the college president had decided not to offer this guy - no reason given.
Rule One: China is illogical and unreasonable.
Rule Two: When China appears 'nice' and 'communicative; refer Rule One. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tony87
Joined: 21 Jul 2015
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 9:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| tony87 wrote: |
| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| At this 'nearly but not quite' stage in the job search you should have at least one more application in process. |
Are you telling me I should try and get another job elsewhere, give them the documents to apply for the Z visa, then essentially just wait and see which one sends me the paperwork I need first?
I'm not really comfortable doing that...is that completely standard for China? Get a few jobs lined up then just wait and see who gets you the documents first?
The first university have said they still want me, and they seem nice and the FT I spoke to there is happy with everything, so I'm willing to give them the time they need. I guess if the worst happens and it all falls through I can always try and get a Spring semester start somewhere.
I've read on here before that standard procedure in China is just not to reply to emails if they're not going to employ you, so I'm hoping the continued communication is a good sign and I'll get the paperwork I need soon. |
I agree but China doesn't operate on any moral obligation basis* and someone higher up will call the shots on who actually goes to the final offer process.
As the senior FT at my last school I was asked to be the communications point for a qualified teacher coming from Europe. His wife who had a senior government position had arranged cover and his two kids had been pretty well organised into Chinese schools.
One morning the FAO called me to say the college president had decided not to offer this guy - no reason given.
Rule One: China is illogical and unreasonable.
Rule Two: When China appears 'nice' and 'communicative; refer Rule One. |
Isn't the problem with doing that though (aside from any moral arguments), if your second/third choice uni submits the paperwork first, then you miss out on your first choice?
Guess I'll see what happens in August. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The job that gets you to China isn't necessarily the job that keeps you in China.
Your preferred school has more choice, because of the reasons that attracted you.
Best |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tony87
Joined: 21 Jul 2015
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 9:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sort of a small update, want to see what others make of it...
The uni has said that their semester starts on September 14th, not September 1st (so I don't need to arrive until then, and hence, shouldn't be worried about the paperwork not arriving yet).
Does this sound legit? I know at universities in the UK, start times can vary by a couple of weeks depending on the uni. Is this the same in China, or does absolutely every university start on the 1st September?
Non Sequitur - I've read on another China job forum, that if one employer has submitted paperwork for a work permit, and then another employer submits the same paperwork, both applications will be red flagged as it goes into some sort of national database? Because right now I'm kind of coming round to your way of thinking regarding applying for a couple more things and seeing what happens, but I've been advised by another forum this isn't a good idea since if the first school have submitted paperwork, it'll be in a national database already and both applications could be denied. Is there any truth in this?
The other forum (not sure if I'm allowed to name them on here) seemed to think there wasn't much to worry about and this is fairly normal, and so long as the employer is communicating (they are) then all will probably be alright in the end.
So yeah...anyone know if some unis really do start after the 1st September? And anyone know if this 'national database' regarding work permit applications is real or not? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 10:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I don't know about the database thing, but I'm returning to China and my school doesn't start classes until Sept 7. It may be that your school's classes won't start until Sept. 14, or that their English/foreign language classes won't start until then. Also freshmen classes often start in October, after compulsory military training, so sometimes there is no rush to arrive. Good luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tony87
Joined: 21 Jul 2015
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 10:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Update - the school said they're picking up the work permit on Monday and will mail it out this week. Looks like everything will turn out OK.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
