Job Discussion Forums

[Jazz2000]

Was after some advice on visas. I've been offered a job in China and am wanting to go as soon as poss.
The company has said it is ok for me to get a tourist visa to get into China and they will change it to a Z type and get my other documents when I'm there.
Does this sound OK? Has anyone else done this? If so, is it ok to lie on the application form about entry and exit times?

Any info would be great.
thanks

[X-sist]

I read elsewhere on the forum that once its a visa of a certain class its very hard to get changed.
here is a webpage on visa to show you the differences. I also think i read on here that if they try and give you a visa other then a z visa they might have you working illegally. But I am unsure on that point. I am sure someone else might be of more assistance. Out of curiousity what COMPANY are you dealing with??? I am also planning on going to China and I fear i might get in the same position as you when the time comes.


http://www.tourismchina-ca.com/visainstruct.htm

[Teacher Lindsay]

I came to China in January of this year on an "L" visa and my employer converted it to a "F" visa, then a "Z" visa and then obtained a Foreigner Residence Permit on my behalf.

In my case, the whole process took 2 months but that was due, in part, to my tardiness in undergoing the required medical examination; I'm in a small rural town and I had to travel to a large city for the check-up. I think it normally takes 1 month to go through the process, although this could vary between the provinces.

A foreigner cannot lawfully work until, and unless, they have a "Z" visa, but I worked throughout the 2 month period. I believe many teachers have done the same.

Cheers

[nolefan]

while it is technically wrong to come to china on a tourist visa for work purposes, it is a fairly common practice.

I did the same thing mainly because I could not find a single doctor where I was that would touch that bloody health form that you have to fill out.

[anthyp]

[Volodiya]

You can come on a tourist visa. Your employer then applies on your behalf for a "Z" visa. (The employer must first get permission to employ foreign "experts"; then submit documents showing you are such an expert, and ask for permission to hire you.) The required medical exams can also be done in country, making the process infinitely easier (and cheaper) than doing the whole thing while you are still abroad.

This was my experience exactly, and has been the experience of many other posters. The entire process can be completed in as little as two weeks (according to some posters), though mine took longer.

If you'd like to see the Chinese law on this subject in translation, go to-
/www.chinatoday.com/; click on "Laws and Regulations", then "Rules for Administration of Employment of Foreigners".... (I think I got that right: I didn't look again, myself. It's close, though, and you'll recognize it when you see it.)

[latefordinner]

There's what is legal and then there's what is allowed ("gotten away with" for the squeamish). I came in 2002 on an F and am still here. I hope to get a Z shortly after I begin my next contract. How long it takes (if it is possible at all) and how much is required from you to get the Z is only one of several issues that determine what you make of your employer. Let us know how it goes.

[Volodiya]

Article 8 of the rules that I mentioned in my last post expressly provides for the possibility of obtaining a "Z" visa in country. If your employer has dealt with this process in the past (and some clearly haven't), it shouldn't be difficult for them to complete the process. "Latefordinner"'s employer may fall in the "haven't" before category, but it's not too late for them to learn.