Job Discussion Forums

redrose8988 · Joined: 21 Mar 2013 Posts: 6 Location: USA

Unfortunately I've been on an extremely strict budget until I graduated from my university. The last time I traveled out of the country I was able to use my birth certificate because I was 13. As a result I have failed to apply for a passport until now. All of the jobs I'm seeing are requesting a copy of my passport as part of the job application.

Is it possible to still apply for university jobs now without being able to scan that passport? I'll have it for sure 4-8 weeks from now but I'm afraid that will be too late.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I think you should, for one very important reason and that is we are entering the main recruitment season. You don't want to miss it.
Simply state that passport awaited and substitute your short form birth cert which will verify age (of course) and place of birth.
You shouldn't rely on just your PP/visa pic in any situation, so include a nice smiling and upright lifestyle shot.
Best

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

OP, get that passport ASAP. Summer rush will slow down the processing time. If you can't afford a passport you surely can't afford to come to China. Lots of costs associated with a move across the ocean... visa, airfare, set up costs, and money to live until the first paycheck comes through.

.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Good point by Ariadne.
But I have known schools to make a progress payment on 1st month's salary in desperate situations.
Not something to rely on though.

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

where are you applying? if you've recently graduated (or are you
graduating soon?), you'll find some schools are more stricterer than
others in regards to age or work experience.

the passport will prove that you're from one of the big-5, and will
show off your caucasianness. perhaps a drivers license would do?

and about that budget............how much mad money do you have
stashed away? what happens if you come over (on a z-visa), but
for whatever reason it just doesn't work out?

Harbin · Joined: 19 Feb 2013 Posts: 161

GreatApe · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 5:58 am Post subject:

I genuinely agree with all that has been said and offered in the posts here so far ... I came to China with about $2,000 USD in 2010 and, looking back, I would not do the same thing again if I had to do it all over again. I took a very big leap of faith with very little room for error. It could have been "ugly" but it worked out for me in the long run.

You want to be sure you come with enough money to get back home in case of need or emergency. Also, you don't want to "over rely" on your first job in terms of whether you will like it or not.

As far as applications and the passport are concerned ... do as has been suggested and don't let the lack of a passport stop you from applying. The time to begin looking is now and the hiring season is close at hand.

GOOD LUCK!

--GA

Nkengaola · Joined: 28 Nov 2011 Posts: 92 Location: Wanzhou, Chongqing

I came to China with $500 USD (about 3,000 RMB) in hand. BUT, I have over $4,000 USD at home, part of which was in a checking account with a Visa debit card - enough for a one-way ticket home. I wanted to make sure that, if everything went pear-shaped here in China, I could get back home and have some money to live off of until I found a job. Everything has worked out fine, but having that safety net made a HUGE difference to my peace of mind.

Save some money before you come, so you have options if things go badly.