Job Discussion Forums

Warning Bells · Joined: 10 Mar 2011 Posts: 87 Location: Always Changes

Why can't the employer offer you the necessary paperwork for you to get the Z visa before you arrive in China? I don't trust these 'employers' in China who promise to convert tourist visas into proper work visas! This is based on my experience of being burned the hard way. Now, I will no longer say much of anything good about China because of it. This is what happened:
I waited for months before the new term started (after Chinese New Year) to begin my assignment. Then, I paid a lot of money for my tourist visa and transportation to get there.

Once I got there, they were acting like they were doing me a big favour by just picking me up at the train station! These young girls were acting like it was not their job and they were being forced into doing work that is above and beyond the call of duty. Nevermind the fact that this was part of our contractual agreement and I had spent many days travelling just to get there (at my own expense). Based on their rotten attitude, I should have just left, but where was I to go and I didn't have another back-up plan.

Although they promised me (over the phone and in writing) that they would convert my tourist visa into a proper work visa upon arrival, they failed to do so. The company said they would convert it on the last day of my 30 day stamp. That day came around and they said they would help me to get another 30 day extention at the immigration office and that's what they did. In the end, they never gave me a proper work visa. Instead, they said they only had part-time work for me. This was humiliating to say the least.

My recruiter did what she could for me in this case, but I get sick and tired of offers from other places that wanted to test me out on a tourist visa to see if I was 'popular with the students.' I'm still furious with China and all the scams and deceitfulness and I never wish to return.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

Warning Bells · Joined: 10 Mar 2011 Posts: 87 Location: Always Changes

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

Few schools in very, very few locations have the ability to convert an L visa into an FRP.

Failing that, schools can often, or at least sometimes, do a HK visa run.

Problem is, any outfit, licensed or unlicensed, can TELL you they can convert a tourist visa or they will pay for your visa run.

Once you decide to not have a Z visa before you get on the plane, you open up a multitude of possible outcomes.

Choose wisely.

Cheers.

flyingscotsman · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 339 Location: Suzhou, China

Cocytean · Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Posts: 3

I'm pretty sure that it varies quite considerably by location. I'm based in Tianjin, and the local bureau are ADAMANT that anyone applying for a Z visa must do so from outside of China and from their home country. It's really becoming stricter and stricter. Probably due to all the weirdoes and nutjobs who arrive here as 'teachers'.