Job Discussion Forums

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

basically the z visa is the piece of paper that allows you to enter China.

They then apply for the residence permit once you're here.

mcloo7 · Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 434 Location: Hangzhou

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

yes,3but you can't change one of those visas to a residency permit within China.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

xiguagua · Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Posts: 768

When I first came in 2008, I came on a L-Visa. The training school had some connections and got me a z-visa for Guangxi province.......then they sent me to Hunan to teach. So I got to Hunan and when trying to get the RP they said uhhh this Visa is for Guangxi, you gotta go get a new one.

Did the HK runner, luckily, the training school paid for it and I got a free week vacation to Hong Kong in December. So I didn't have a horrible experience with it........BUT........if there was ever a job that tried to make me come over on a L-Visa again I would pass. Now, it's an easy way to cross off the jobs NOT to take.

mcloo7 · Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 434 Location: Hangzhou

I'm even talking to public schools that have their teachers come on L visas. And this is one that is, apparently, tight with the government, in Jiangsu. She said the teachers all go to Hong Kong for the visas and the school arranges the trip for them.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

why bother asking here? what is your purpose with this thread?

you've been advised NOT to come to china on a tourist visa. the only
safe way that protects you is with a work visa.

so why do seem to keep pushing the tourist visa angle?

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

I gotta second that. Lots of people have said repeatedly don't come on a tourist visa because its a shaky proposition at best. Ask them to get it for you before coming. If they can't dont take the job. This can't be too dificult to comprehend can it?

mcloo7 · Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 434 Location: Hangzhou

I'm not pushing it, I'm just frustrated that every job I'm looking at seems to be pushing it. Plus I'm surprised that a public school would ask you to do this. So I was wondering if anyone could explain why a public school would do it, I thought they had to do everything above board.

creeper1 · Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:06 pm Post subject: surprised

I'm not recommending it but I think a majority of medium to long termers here have worked on tourist visas at least temporarily while living here.

To the OP - I don't know why you haven't been able to find a language mill willing to supply a Z-visa. I know that wasn't an issue for me although I did have a lengthy wait for all the paperwork to be done.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

are you going through a recruiter for this public school position?

would this be panzhihua no. 3 middle school? i think that was the
one with the bad reputation, relying on recruiters.....

mcloo7 · Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 434 Location: Hangzhou

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

I feel the days of putting any white body and face in a class may be over (or less common), especially in training centres where teachers have to take responsibility for the outcomes in their class. This might be one reason why more seem, anecdotally at least, to be asking people to come over on a tourist visa.

It may be less of a problem in the state sector, but if its true that a few state employers are asking it too, perhaps its true for that sector too?

Although I posted earlier in this thread saying my employer has twice arrange my Z visa prior to arrival, on reflection Im not sure that would be true for a new teacher. My employer knows me, trusts me, and counts on me to deliver what their students demand so always arranges the right paperwork. But I do know other teachers have done the HK visa run, so it may be the case that they also want to 'try before they buy' with a new employee.

Traditionally any white face with a pulse has been enough to secure many a job in the state sector, but perhaps thats ending too with employers expecting employees to deliver, so the days of giving a one year visa and being stuck with someone may be ending? Or maybe these are just isolated cases?

Of course, people should be wary / cautious of employers who ask them to come over on a tourist visa and be subject to a period of probation and a demo class etc. By the same token, I can also see some mileage in being wary of employers who provide a full Z visa and legal papers without having the foggiest idea on how well equipped or skilled you are at doing the job. The former may cause concerns in terms of actually securing the job when in China, the latter may cause concerns about having little in the way of classroom standards and integrity.

creeper1 · Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:53 am Post subject: advice

I think a white face and a pulse are still all that is required to secure a teaching job. Maybe not the best teaching job in the world but a job at least.

Coming over on a tourist visa does have certain advantages. I don't want to overstate them but they are a chance to check out your employer, speak to teachers and most of all - be available to work immediately. It seems employers need someone to have started yesterday

But the huge disadvantage is that you have to fork out money for a trip to Hong Kong. And that trip to HK is not a valid way for someone who works in Guangdong province to get a Z-visa.

Anyone thinking of going the tourist visa route ought to be comfortably financially. Start up costs here are huge anyway. Typically 3 months rent upfront for your apartment + agent fee plus other expenses.

When you add in transport to HK and accomodation in HK you are looking at a lot of money.

If you consider the tourist visa option come with plenty of money. I'd say like $3000