Job Discussion Forums

[doug37]

I hate to belabour the subject, but the protocol for changing jobs is still confusing. Suppose I get an extension and the proper exit stamps from the former University/city. I then sign a new contract with my new employer. Can it really be that simple?

On the other hand, I can envision a plethora of problems with the "L" visa-leave the country route--notwithstanding the extra scoots in planes and hotels.

Roger: I'd especially like your input, if you're not too busy?

Doug

[struelle]

I'm in the same position as you. Past experience and a sixth sense tells me that such a process cannot be simple.

Two potential snags:

- You may need a release letter (signed and stamped) from your current school, even if you'll be finishing the contract. You can ask your FAO for a recommendation letter for 'future reference' to solve this problem.

- To extend your visa, you may need past proof of residence and police registration. You will definitely need this if you're changing residence. If your school hasn't registered you, the way around this is to travel (preferably outside your home province) and stay at a PSB-approved hotel for a few days. Then use your invoice as proof of police registration.

It's easy to extend a past Z-visa to an L-visa, but once you do this, you're essentially starting from sratch again. So the new school may need all the documents and papers to apply for you.

Steve

[doug37]

Thanks Steve, that's sage advice. Isn't incredible that so many FAO's seem unfamilar with the process? It's as if no one has ever changed schools before.

Doug

[Roger]

Steve has filled you in properly, but I sense some insecurity there. Yes, one never knows how the authorities handle things. IT's often a "case-by-case' way of dealing here though the rules seem to be pretty straitforward:

- To change employers, you need a kind of clearance from the PSB
much like a no-objection police report that essentially clears our name
for future re-employment; this clearance is the stamp they put on a
letter of release submitted to them from your current employer;
I think, therationale is that your school is your GUARANTOR to the
Chinese authorities just like you can be GUARANTOR for a Chinese
person visiting your country;
- as for the time gap between the expiry of the old contract and the
commencement of a new contract, you will have noticed that many
public schools sponsor a visa that expires in July or August even though
your employment ends sometime in June; the idea is that you can use
the remaining time for travelling in China.
Those who find a new position, will then have to get a release letter from
their old school. If the new school is very eager, they might get your
work visa right away, in which case you won't have to get an extension.
This is, however, highly unusual as they normally apply for work visas
when the new term begins. In this case, you will have to get an ex-
tension, which doesn't cost a lot though it will require a whole passport
page (just like a regular visa).
To get an EXTENSION, you must be REGISTERED LEGALLY with the PSB;
this is the case if you have a work visa and are housed by your employer
or if you are touring the country and stay at some official APPROVED
hotel (note the official plaque in the lobby!).

Many unsuspecting foreigners have had to travel back to the place where they were working previously just because they forgot to ask for the release letter; I am lucky this year as the same university is hiring me for a second term. The second contract is for one year; I asked about my visa, and they said they could fix it before my old visa expires (in July).
This saves me not only a whole passport page but a lot of hassles - applying for an extension or a tourist visa.

[doug37]

Hey Roger,

Many thanks to you and Steve. Everything you said seems very sensible. The "letter of release" is something brand new to the discussion. I'm surprised it hasn't come up in my present empolyer's discourse, but it sure makes a lot of sense. Actually, this is my second year here with them and the FAO has been very good about the move. And yes, you're correct, the visa, residency and expert's card was handled very smoothly last year. But, changing from one university to another, has opened up a whole new can of worms.

Thanks again for the sound advice.

Doug

[gmat]

[doug37]

Hey Gmat,

I hazard to guess that my sense of cynicism is as highly developed as others, but yes, I am surprised. Perhaps, however naive this may sound, it's because they've had a changing of the guard at our FAO. On the other hand, maybe my new university should be taking a more active role in my transfer. And no, I'm not at Dongbei. Too bad, because I hear they pay pretty well and the digs ain't bad either.

Doug

[gmat]

Doug,
I didn't say at Dongbei (or DUFE), I said in Dongbei . I am almost certain that you are currently residing in the south west section of the city reported to have the best looking women in China, the jewel of Dongbei, ie, Dalian .