Job Discussion Forums

tony87 · Joined: 21 Jul 2015 Posts: 43

I received a job offer from a university in May, which I accepted. On May 12th, I supplied them with the final documents needed to apply for the work permit and invitation letter (criminal check and medical). Contracts were signed and scanned etc.

At the start of June I asked what was happening with the visa, and they said the documents had been submitted and it was just a case of waiting for the process to take place.

I followed up again at the end of June, and was told they were still waiting for the PSB/ SAFEA/ whoever to grant the work permit, and they'd let me know when this happened. We're now nearing the end of July though, and still no word from the university.

Should I just assume they've decided they don't want me anymore and start looking for something else (might be difficult at this late hour into hiring season), or can the process actually take this long? I've never been to China so I don't know whether this is standard or not? In theory there should be no issue with the approval process - my medical check showed I'm perfectly healthy, no criminal record, I have a degree/tefl cert/ 2 years post-grad experience.

Bit unsure what to do next. Ideally I'd still like to go to the university I had the job offer from...but if I leave it a couple more weeks any chance of getting something this year would basically be gone and I'd be limited to training centres...don't really want to go down that route.

Brunouno · Joined: 18 Apr 2013 Posts: 129

The process took my school about 5 weeks to send me the invitation letter and work permit. You're in a very frustrating position, and I would be very upset if they have changed their mind or cannot get you a visa because, as you say, it is very late in the hiring season now.

However, I wouldn't assume anything, and I would just email the university explaining to them about the same concerns you have brought up in your post. Have you contacted them since the end of June?

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

If the university's classes begin during the first week of September, the letter of invitation will probably arrive the first week of August. The university times the release of the document to give you enough time to apply for your visa and arrive about a week before classes start. They really don't want someone to arrive too early for a couple of reasons:

1. If you arrive too early, your visa may expire before the school can get you processed for a residence permit

2. The school doesn't want you arriving at the school when there's no one to even let you in.

This situation is common, very common.

tony87 · Joined: 21 Jul 2015 Posts: 43

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

I had a similar experience. What should have taken 5 weeks took 12. It seemed every week they were 'missing' a document, even though I'd sent everything. It dragged on and on and on. After more than 6 weeks they still hadn't given my documents to be processed.

Finally I told them that they either got their arses into gear or I was going to find another job. Low and behold they handed in my papers the next day and got the invitation.

The official process takes 25 working days, so 5 weeks. If it takes longer it is because they haven't handed in your documents (or did it late).

In China you sometimes have to put your foot down. They couldn't give a damn about how inconvenient it is for you that they spend so long doing their job. Over something so important an ultimatum is usually the only way you get what you need.

Email them and ask them when you will get your invitation. Tell them you will look for another job unless they can give you some answers. Tell them they are ruining your summer vacation as you are sat at home waiting to get your visa when you wanted to go travelling (even if this isn't true, tell them). Either they will reply (and hopefully apologise for the inconvenience) or they won't. If they don't, start looking for another job.

Good luck. I sympathise as I have gone through this same BS situation recently.

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

bestteacher2012 · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 160

Chances are even though they had your documents, they didn't apply for the necessary documents until June. Generally this process takes between 5 to 8 weeks, so I wouldn't panic just yet.

tony87 · Joined: 21 Jul 2015 Posts: 43

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

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

Chinese have no idea that to purchase a ticket that fits into their allowance cap you have to do so well in advance and have a big penalty for making changes. At least that's the case in my backwoodsy locale.
They also have little idea of timezones which can complicate things even more.
Expect to get a message that you should get your visa stamp 'today and fly tomorrow'.

tony87 · Joined: 21 Jul 2015 Posts: 43

Well I've sent them a message asking for an update. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

talentedcrayon · Joined: 19 Mar 2013 Posts: 91

5 weeks? Crap... Looks like I'll be waiting for a while. The girl just started it last week.

Simon in Suzhou · Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 404 Location: GZ

This is a "last-minute" business culture. No one in an office will do anything until they absolutely must-- then they will run around like madmen to get everything accomplished at the last second, much to the frustration of most Westerners. Standard operating procedure.

Coming to China...learn to expect this.

tony87 · Joined: 21 Jul 2015 Posts: 43

Well they replied saying the work permit process takes 2 months, so it should be ready in August.

So it looks like they still want me at the university...though according to everyone on here the process takes 5 weeks?

I'll feel better when the documents arrive for sure! Guess it's just a matter of waiting now then.