Job Discussion Forums

Va2china · Joined: 24 Jun 2013 Posts: 6

I'm sure I already know what some of you will say, but I have been offered a job in China teaching. The school has advised me to first get an F visa, and we will then move to a Z visa upon arrival to ease the process, since there is a lot of paperwork involved. I've expressed my concern, and the school has assured me there is nothing to worry about. This, of course, has me concerned, but I've been banking on this to work out, and I've already quit my job here in the states. Is this risky and am I better off trying to find a different school who will do things legally from the get go, or is this common with such short notice?

likwid_777 · Joined: 04 Nov 2012 Posts: 411 Location: NA

"I'm sure I already know what some of you will say."

Does this refer to your knowledge of what people will say, along the lines of, DON'T DO IT?. I did it. They will say that they will get the proper visa. They may... or may not. It's just because some teachers did the midnight phantom (because it is a DODGY school, haha). You are going to fill this gap for them. By the time you get found out, and kicked out of the country, they will probably have two or three more Z visa holding teachers. You've been there filling the gap, while those teachers were in the glorious West, going through the proper process. So, thanks Mr Va2china, you've been a really conscientious sucker for helping us all out so well.

So yes, you are desperate. But won't you be more desperate, after getting booted out of the country, probably with some sort of 3 to 5 year ban? You will come back to the US, and still have no job. Also, you will be back before getting your proper reimbursement of airfare. So you will be more broke than before, probably won't get back to China any time soon (even if you technically can, you'll probably be pretty broke after having to survive in the USA on whatever amount of RMB you managed to save).

It's either 'languish' in the US for a month or two while the proper process is sorted out, with a decent school, or simply a cluster **** for you.

You could possibly have no problems. But it's not just the PSB catching you, it's your boss knowing that you have no rights in China. Enjoy that. Shocked

Va2china · Joined: 24 Jun 2013 Posts: 6

Ugh, I was hoping to hear the opposite. Oh well.

doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

JamesD · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:53 pm Post subject:

First thing to do is confirm that the school actually has the license to hire foreigners. If they don't have this license you will never be legal. Email or Skype a teacher currently at the school.

That said, there are as many ways to change a visa as there are provinces in China. Knowing the right people, paying a certain amount to a certain guy, taking a trip to HK, ....the list is long.
HOWEVER, (someone correct me if I'm wrong) I have not yet heard of an F visa being changed to a Z in country. Many schools can change an L to a Z and some can change an X to a Z, but I can't recall hearing of changing an F to a Z while in China. It may be possible but sounds odd; has anyone done this?

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

There's new regulations that have come into effect, including big fines for schools that do this kind of stuff, and big fines and possibly jail time for foreigners doing it, (not that I think that it would ever come to jail).

Maybe nothing will change, but don't take the chance.

Va2china · Joined: 24 Jun 2013 Posts: 6

likwid_777 · Joined: 04 Nov 2012 Posts: 411 Location: NA

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

I understand from the uni I work at, that as of July 1st a F visa could be used for a post of less than 6 months ......is it possible to convert .....good question .....

mwaltman · Joined: 07 May 2013 Posts: 78

With the tons of jobs available in this country (China), why would you even bother to continue your communication with an employer who asks you to come on a tourist or other non-work visa? Once they tell you this, just end your communication and move on to another possibility. It's a waste of time and of no benefit to discuss the issue with them. Tell them the reason you are no longer interested and maybe they'll get the idea after a few hundred refusals by the teachers and not by themselves.

ResearchID · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 30

The only time I have even considered it was after a fellow forum member setup the interviews at an IS school and found out it was "required" for a Z to have a TESL cert.

Va2china · Joined: 24 Jun 2013 Posts: 6

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

As far as I know, it is NOT easier for the school to apply for a z-visa (working visa) while the teacher is in China than it is when the teacher is abroad. They will need the same forms, they will pay the same fees. The big advantage is that they can dump you if they don't like you or something came up, or..etc. In other words, by agreeing to arrive on a other-than-z visa, you are assuming much of the risk that the school would have assumed, on top of the unavoidable risk of moving to a foreign country to live and work.

Whether the school gets in trouble for hiring teachers without work permission is beside the point. The school may not be able to and may not want to protect you even if they ARE able to. Blaming the school won't help you with the Public Security Bureau if you are caught teaching without permission.

Do what you want, but just realize that "It's less complicated if you just come over first" is a lie. Good way to start an employment relationship.

ResearchID · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 30

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