Job Discussion Forums

Ciara · Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:35 pm Post subject: Changing Visas

Question.

The school wants me to come on a L Visa. Then switch to a Z Visa. The L Visa lets me stay for 30 days. Wouldn't chinese officials think it'll be strange if your plane ticket is for one year then? What to do then?

clomper · Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 251 Location: Beijing

I came to China on a tourist visa last year and the school did not have any problems converting it to Z visa. I just don't know if it varies by province. I'm in Guangdong. I'll be converting mine as well and hopefully it will work out.

Claudine

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Take this gamble, or stay out of China!

You should be able to obtain a multi-month visa; if you can't get a 3-motnh tourist visa in your home country you can always try in Hong Kong. Is flying to HK more expensive or inconvenient for you?

Why should you face problems over a one-year round-trip ticket when you arrive on a 30-day visa? The CHinese DON'T CARE! nIt's some airlines that do. Apparently some folks flying in from Australia or Canada have a hard time convincing their carrier that they don't want to fly backto their home country.

burnsie · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 489 Location: Beijing

It is not legal but it's common practice for schools that are not registered. Most people don't have problems changing to a work visa.

Larry Parnell · Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 172

Methinks Roger is right it's only the airlines that care. Just tell them your travelling around Asia overland and it shouldn't be a problem. I had to do that as I travelled on a one way ticket. I was also on an L visa and got it changed without any hassle.

Ciara · Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 10:14 pm Post subject:

well, the school didn't send me a letter from the labour ministry in china, only the invitation letter and it's not enough, so i got a L visa.

anyhow, the school says the labour document should arrive soon, so i'll wait a couple more days, then if it's not here, then i'll have to go in on an L visa.

i assume it takes the same time to get a Z visa as an L visa. I had a RUSH order Razz

thanks guys.

either way, i'll be in china wednesday....i hope.... Rolling Eyes

so much trouble....

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 10:07 pm Post subject:

Both last year and this year I came into China on a one month Tourist Visa. The School took over last year and got me a Residents Permit and a 12 month Visa. I had a 12 month return Air ticket that time and had no problems at the Airport.

This year I did have a problem getting out of Australia as I only had a one way ticket and a 30 day tourist Visa again. The Airline would not let me board the plane until I had a ticket out of China, so I had to purchase a ticket from Shanghai to Hong Kong whilst at the Brisbane Airport.

I have now changed that ticket to the 15th January, because I have actually ascertained - this far in advance! - just when my holidays will commence for New Year. New Year is on the 9th February in 2005, and I cannot believe that I actually pinned the School down to a date at this early stage of the game.

Anyway, the School have said that they cannot get me a Multiple Entry Visa (even if I pay the difference) as it is no longer permitted for Teachers to have them - because some teachers have been skipping out.

I will just have to organise my Visa for Hong Kong and back into China myself when the time comes. I will also have to do the same thing next August prior to School recommencing next September, as I am not returning to Australia in the long break.

Bottom line - it is okay to enter China on a 30 ot 90 day Tourist visa and then let the School organise the rest for you.

Tamil_Tiger · Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:33 pm Post subject:

My school just told me that because of some new rule that just happened, that teachers need to have applied for Z visas before arriving in CHina. What the hell is this? How is it that no other teachers here on this forumhave had problems. The school must have the ability to solicit foreigners as the other foreign teachers from last year had proper visas. What gives, does anyone know anything about this?