Job Discussion Forums

james0 · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

Yes, private school. The person who composed that email was not Chinese, but from an English speaking country. They work at the BJ office of this school in some co-directorial capacity.

They said the rule was changed recently so that you had to be born before 1982. Next year, 1983, the year after '84, etc. By that logic I will be getting my Z visa when I am 25. I'm not sure I plan on staying in China that long anyway...

They will be processing an F visa for me. They will pay me, and I will have to tell a white lie at the Consulate to get my papers. I plan on spending these 6 months avoiding men in suits. Hopefuly by the time its over I can get another job.

They told me getting the Z would be no problem so I bought a one-way ticket. I'm tired of looking at sad contracts on the web. I feel its more important for me to get to China than it is for me to have a positive experience there from the get-go.

I am optimistic that after 6 months I will not have been caught or fined, and that I might try again if the laws have changed. Or, who knows, I might try to get a job as an intern at a magazine or art gallery, in which case the F would be appropriate anyway.

Ahchoo · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Earth

james0 · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

I just got another email today that sort of contradicted a telephone call I recieved last night from The Man. Apparently they can only secure me a 3 month F visa which they will change when I get to Beijing. This sonuds like BS if they contradict themselves within 24 hours.

I sent a harshly worded email asking for some "straight talk."

I don't get why this has to be like some Kafka nightmare, I'm just trying to leave America after college to face new challenges, etc. I studied Chinese because I wanted to move to China, damnit.

The only other job offer is for 3500 a month at what I imagine is a mediocre school in Chongqing, Chongqing University of Sci and Tech. Additionally, thats for a one year contract I get fined $500-$2000 for breaking if I decide to run to Beijing.

Am I being idealistic? It is important for me to be in Beijing because I need to be in a community of artists, but artists don't seem very good at helping comrades with visas. I'd love to teach English if I didn't feel like I was about to be jailed each day.

Any uplifting testimonials or words of encouragement? Maybe I start the job search over?

I already have my plane ticket (stupid!) its a one-way (smart!) but its fliexible (smart!) so I can leave whenever (I must leave before August 21st).

I am 22 but finding a job in China has turned some hairs gray and I see some wrinkles in the worry-most sectors of my face.

PS the school from Purgatory, I have coded their name in this easy to solve number puzzle.

19-8-1-14-5

Thanks!

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

James,

You are being played with, toyed around with, scammed, etc., etc.

Under no circumstances should you accept this job.

You will regret it more than anything else in your life.

When the games start like this in the beginning, they don't get any better.

If you are going to go swimming with sharks, please expect to be eaten alive.

There are 100's of other jobs out there still for September.

HFG

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

Take the Chongqing job or look around for other options. Beijing is glutted now you will be competing against a lot of competition. Try looking at different areas and regions, you will find a job that will be able to provide the proper visa.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

James, before everyone here tries to put the school on a cross and burn it, may I look at two statements you have made thus far:

just another laowai · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 373 Location: Beijing

F visas in Hong Kong are being cracked down on too just FYI.
They are requiring a company business card with a foreign address and an invitation on company letterhead.

Good times.

dave_merk · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 208

HFG is right: you are being toyed with and fooled. I was born in 1983, came to China in 2003 (age 20), and have been legal for nearly half a decade (FEC and RPF) AND I don't have a degree. This school is just playing with you and that ridiculous "too young" rule is just a smoke screen. There is no specific age you have to be. That is complete bullshit. Find another job ASAP.

dave_merk · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 208

And, as a rule of thumb, you should usually go by what Hunanforeignguy and TW say. They seem to be the two users of this board who are most "with it," so to speak.

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

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

James0

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

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

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC