Job Discussion Forums

michi gnome · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Dokdo

Back in August, I had an offer from a school in Shanghai. Due to my financial situation at the time, I was unable to travel there and begin the position, and had to cancel. They processed the residence permit, or whatever preliminary permit is needed. They wanted me to convert it to a Z when I arrived there.

I now have a little more savings, and am looking at coming to China in January. Can I start applying and accept a new position, or do I need some kind of permission/release from this previous school? Could I work somewhere other than Shanghai (do I only need a release for Shanghai?).

As a last resort, I'll just wait until next summer when the permit should expire. Ideally though, I'd like to have something lined up for January. Not looking forward to the winter here in Minneapolis.

Thanks for your help

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

michi gnome · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Dokdo

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I did have a medical check done here in the U.S., so I guess it was the invitation letter that was processed.

Originally we were going to complete the Z before I traveled to Shanghai, but then the school changed their tune, saying there wasn't enough time and that I could convert the L to a Z once there (which I did some research on and found to be true for Shanghai). Still though, I didn't like the idea of showing up w/o the Z visa in advance.

I will try contacting the school to see if they can cancel the invitation letter, but wondering if they might just ignore my request. Possibly the recruiter I worked with can help...

Thanks again

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

Your response is still a little vague.

If they issued you an Invitation Letter for a Z visa (invitation to work as a Foreign Expert), it would have had to have been an original copy sent to you by mail. It would have been identifiable as such.

Given your comments about the school changing their tune, I suspect otherwise but without clear facts it is difficult to ascertain.

I too have read and heard about being able to change from L to Z in Shanghai but have not yet read or heard of any documented evidence which suggests the intended ruling was actually brought into fruition. I do recall looking into this in the summer and the rule seemed to apply to work permits rather than Foreign Expert Certificates. There is a difference. A work permit is for generally for non educational jobs and a Foreign Experts Certificate is for educational jobs, however I am not sufficiently knowledgeable in that field to give expert opinions.

If your school did process an application to the Government for your Foreign Experts Certificate, the chances are they would have cancelled it by now anyway as your pending application would have tied up one of their available slots for foreign teachers in the system but as I said given what you have said I find it unlikely they even got that far in which case assuming you have not previously applied for any visa you have nothing to worry about and can continue as normal.

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

michi gnome · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Dokdo

Thanks for your replies. I received an email back from the school about this, saying when I have a job offer, I should have my HR/contact email them directly to take care of this matter. They didn't give any other information. Who knows maybe they will try to make some cash on this, providing the release (if one is even needed). Think I will just go ahead and apply for jobs and see what happens without contacting this school.

I should add they are an international school with a decent rep, and they employ about 40 foreign teachers, if I recall. Seemed like everything was aboveboard, and I was surprised when they suddenly wanted me to arrive on the tourist visa.

Thanks again for the advice and information.

JamesD

michi gnome · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Dokdo

Thanks for the suggestions.

My only concern now is whether there is something in China's system that can/will prevent me from getting another job and starting in January.

This stems from back in August, so there is no longer the possibility of showing up and working at the school.

I never received anything in the mail (no invitation letter), and never completed the Z visa process.

What I did send to the school at the time: a signed contract, a health check, and the normal docs such as resume, passport photo etc.

My recruiter made a comment at the time that they can only issue one (of whatever it is) in China, and it might prevent me from getting another job. He was assuming that I'd just decided to accept another job in China, I think, at the time.

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

Your last post puts an entirely different perspective on things from your first.

Not apportioning blame but this is one reason why recruiters can become a pain in the neck to schools and universities because the information they give is not always accurate.

If what you are saying is that you never received a visa then you should be fine just to reapply.

If the employer you were dealing with did start an application online then I very much suspect they would have cancelled it as I have mentioned to another poster it would tie up one of their available quota for foreign teachers. Pending applications timeout after a certain period anyway, I am not sure of the exact time but its no more than three months.

In the unlikely event there is something in the system this would come to light when a new employer begins the online application to formally invite you to China as a Foreign Expert. They would advise you what this is but really I think it is a small possibility.