Job Discussion Forums

[AndrewRgr806]

Hi there,

I'm looking forward to teaching in China this September. I was sent a goverment invitation and with this I acquired the Z visa and shortly after booked my flight.

I sent my employer an email with the flight details but I am yet to receive a response.

Communication was good right up until they informed me they had sent the goverment invitation to me in the post.

I am slightly concerned. Perhaps they contact you nearer the time?

Thanks,
Andrew.

[JamesD]

Don't panic.........yet. Summer break just started here and 99% of uni office workers are off.
Do you have any other contact info? Phone? Fax? Another office or personal email?

Name the city and school; maybe someone on here works there and can provide direct help.

[Alien abductee]

Adding to what the other poster said, one thing you'll learn after you get here is that the Chinese aren't as obsessive about replying immediately to emails as other people. If you need to get ahold of someone here it's best to just call them.

You've already cleared the biggest hurdle, getting the visa and the school has already committed to you. So relax and enjoy your summer.

[roadwalker]

Yeah, normal in my experience. Your flight isn't for tomorrow, is it?

[Listerine]

Don't sweat it. It's kind of a pain for the schools to get you Z visa invites, so they're not going to arrange it and then ditch you. Likely the Foreign Affairs Officer needed to race around finalizing it for you before (s)he could take some time off for summer. Probably she's home playing with her kid for the next week or so and completely ignoring anything even remotely related to work. In general Chinese love doing stuff at the last minute, so to them your September arrival might as well be September 2020 for all the sense of urgency at their end. I'd just proceed as planned and consider this a nice introduction as to what to expect in the PRC across the board once you arrive - It's S.O.P. Seriously don't worry too much (for now).

[The Voice Of Reason]

...

[AndrewRgr806]

Thanks for your informative replies, it's much appreciated.

[Non Sequitur]

Westerners regard emails as a kind of asynchronous phone call. Chinese regard them as letters.
Also Chinese have a limited understanding of the logistics of international travel ie penalties for changing flights etc.
Send them your arrival details and state that you expect to be met.
But just in case take the school address in Chinese characters with you. You may need to take a cab.
Having the mobile number of the FAO is also useful.
My bet is you will hear from them in the last week of August.
As others have noted, the Z visa process is laborious for the school so they have some skin in the game. Not as much as you, but some.
Best

[Old Surrender]

Do you have your FAO's QQ number? They will respond to that pretty quickly. Also, you should probably get a QQ yourself if you plan on making a lot of Chinese friends.

[IWTFanAT]

Anyone who depends on the internet, be it e-mail, QQ, whatever to communicate is fooling themselves. Maybe you consider it antiquated, but an actual telephone, and, in China, an actual Mobile Phone number is essential - yes, even from overseas.

And, here, in China, you will not see people online during the summer holiday. Unless of course, you're best buds or they are obsessed with QQ and Weibo, etc.

In other words, you should have a phone number for the person you need.

[Juice]

[Piper2]

[AndrewRgr806]

Yes I am no longer overly concerned. A big clap and a cheer to the usefulness of internet forums with matters such as these. A big 'thank you' to all. Any Jinan dwellers, lets meet up for a beer sometime.