Job Discussion Forums

Syndrome057 · Joined: 21 Aug 2003 Posts: 32 Location: China-TBD

This seems rather shady and yet my upcoming employer insists that this is what his teachers do........ and that I should do it.

Someone wise/sarcastic please reply.

Peace,
Safari

Madmaxola · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 238

The F-visa, specialized for "f-ing you" when the employer wants to ditch ya.

Syndrome057 · Joined: 21 Aug 2003 Posts: 32 Location: China-TBD

Wonderful reply........ was exactly what I thought.

The advantage is that I have an easy out in terms of any contract.

Safari

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

My former place had teachers comre to China on an 'F' visa, then it was converted to a 'Z' afterwards. 'F' visas are for conducting business in China for up to six months.

Has your prospective employer indicated that your visa will be converted?

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

The longer I am here the more I think this is a good idea. If it can still be done. But it would make me more suspicious---I wouldn't want the school holding a month salary back for example. And I wouldn't want to pay much rent in advance. Expect the worst in other words.

Where I am I wanted out BEFORE the contract started but it was too late. With an F visa I would have walked...But I have always been legal here (as legal as we ever get) so I dont the the ins and outs of it.

MES · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 24

Ask the other teachers what kind of visa they have. Unlike the owner, they shouldn't have any reason to lie to you. If none of 'em have Zs, then maybe the owner isn't able to get them, i.e. he can't legally employ foreigners. If that's the case tread carefully.

MES · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 24

Also, your contract would be worthless if you were working on an F. Sure, you could bail anytime but, as another poster said, he could shaft you anytime too. Like just before pay day.

2 over lee · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:00 am Post subject: F in Shanghai

Did the school get you the F, or did you get it yourself?

I worked on an F in Shanghai and had no problems renewing when the training centre I was working for wrote a reference for me. I think it all boils down to Guangxi, some schools can�t get Z�s legally but your still relatively safe on a F due to their �understanding�with the PSB. I also had no probs registering with local police on an F, and I personally wrote the characters gong zuo as my reason for being in Sh on the registration form.

Every case is unique in China, I think you should trust your own judgement: weigh up the pros and cons i.e. is the money good? Will you be more secure elsewhere?

MES · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 24

Sure, your employer's guanxi with the PSB and other authorities can change any situation. For someone who hasn't yet set foot in China though it can be a scary option to work illegally. I know people who've worked for 3 to 5 yrs on Fs. One got busted by the PSB (during a class) and was told he was in big trouble, but NOTHING happened to him. Maybe the school was fined but the teacher wasn't outed or anything else (which you'd expect would happen) so who knows what went down. Good guanxi perhaps.

Ludwig · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:40 am Post subject:

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

http://www.china-embassy.org/visa/english/chinese/swqz.htm

But you were attempting levity, right?

Ludwig · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 10:25 am Post subject:

These teachers have six-month contracts, do they? Also, you only have one entry with a 'F' visa! How can you leave and come back in those six months?

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Madmaxola:

2 over lee · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

Ludwig · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 12:45 pm Post subject:

Not much use if you are in Harbin, for example, though, is it? The availability of visas for the Mainland in HK - or indeed, any developed country - is not the issue.

By the way, the visas are issued in Guangdong; their couriers go there to apply for and collect them from there, or, alternatively, they are brought to HK from the offices of the relevant authorities in Gungdong (either Shenzhen or Guangzhou).