Job Discussion Forums

[senor boogie woogie]

Hola!

I have lived in China for 3 1/2 years ago. About 3 years ago, I married a PRC citizen. For the first 2 years I had a "Z" visa. Now, I am not a "legal" worker. I and my wife get my visa in her home city and I get an "L" visa because of our marriage.

Now, I live in another city. My wife and I are in love, but I go to school and work here in Hangzhou, while my wife works in her city.

Right now, I have two part time jobs here. Yesterday, I received a message from my school (who I work 7 hours a week for) that I needed to furnish my passport, medical card, and residence permit to them. I don't want to do this, because a medical check is required and I don't want to give blood (because it hurts like s h i t ). The last time I went they strangled my arm with a rubber hose (I call it the heroin hose). The set up I have with my wife does not require this. Also, I blew off a contract Summer of 2003. I work for two companies like this, I am freelancing and am enjoying it. I don't want to be tied down to one employer, that sucks.

My questions:

1.) If you are married, what is your visa status? Can you work?

2.) How many of you are working for more than one employer?

3.) I have heard that the PRC has changed its rules and is now making people get Z Visas from outside of China. Is this true?

4.) If anyone is American (USA) citizens, has it become more difficult with the Chinese visa process?

5.) Has anyone gotten those wonderful green cards yet?

Here now in Hangzhou, the jobs are falling out of the sky. Many part timers are students of the University, not holders of Z Visas. There is such a demand for NATIVE speakers, there are just not enough to go around. There are many people from different nations teaching here.

Any comments drsirable.

Senor

[Sinobear]

I'm with you on this one, man!
Just what does a 'D' visa give you?
Americans pay more but are given the same status as "other outside foreign devils".
The PSB can grant you a 'D' visa, but are too lazy to look up the rules and hence say no to everything.
The "green cards" (permanent foreign resident cards) were to be issued to anyone who could prove that they have resided (and worked {paid taxes}) in China for 5 years. Now, you must have proof that you are a senior (not senor) manager, have spent over 3000000 RMB a year, or pay in excess of 75K RMB/year in taxes (through your company or in personal tax) to get one.

*Sigh*

I have tried to find concrete information on the 'D' visa - entitlements, working conditions, etc, but unfortunately, no one can be persuaded to get the "low down".

[burnsie]

Yes, I know where you are coming from. I have only been a year in China, married a Chinese girl but currently on a Z visa through a business school in Beijing.

My first 6 months I was on a student visa, then moved to visitors visa, now to a Z visa.

My next move after this Z visa has expired is to have my wife's company to employ me and give me a Z visa. There is a certificate to get for employing foreigners then you can get a Z visa quite easily (well I hope!).

Senor, can you have a trusted friend give you a Z visa through a company?

The other option is go to a visa consultant and pay the high fees (about 5,000) to get your FE certificate, resident and alien permit. Though this is not legal but done by alot of people. If your freedom is worth this then this is the best option.

In regards to your question regarding the Z visa I have done a little research and talked to good friend recently about the dreaded Z visa. You are correct that a Z visa HAS TO BE APPLIED FOR OUTSIDE OF CHINA. There is alot of confusion about changing a L visa to a Z visa and the PSB, depending on the location either grant of decline the change. In Beijing they are 'by the book' and you have to leave China to get your visa.

As you know the D visa has been changed and advertised heavily through the news media but it still does not help you for another 1 1/2 years.

Good to know that there are jobs 'falling out of the sky' in Hangzhou, my wife is originally from there and we plan to move there one day.

[oprah]

This information about getting z visa outside the country, is this new and if so how new is it? I came to China on L visa and then when I found job the employer got me a z visa, last march..

[mandu]

well iam also married to a chinese girl and Iam on a multiple entry one year f visa.i went to HongKong to get mine.
the kindy i work for have all the western teachers on f visas.Iam also full time at my kindy.
i have never paid any tax since i have been here in china and i have been here 4 years.
i have been married just over 2 yrs
when i worked for a government kindy i was on a z visa

[ymmv]

This isn't directly relevant to SBB's problem, and forgive me for citing Frommer's as an authority on anything China (or the rest of the world for that matter), but they're most recent Beijing update includes this item which jibes with other accounts I have heard:

August 2004 -- American passport holders hoping to purchase a six-month multiple-entry F (fangwen, or research) visa in Hong Kong or elsewhere outside China currently have to pay a substantial premium for this visa and have to leave China every 30 days. These restrictions are part of a rather silly tit-for-tat row between American and Chinese visa offices, do not apply to other nationalities, and may disappear when relations improve. All nationals hoping to obtain a one-year multiple-entry F visa must now provide proof of three previous visits to China.

This link may not work, but:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/article.cfm?destid=201&articleid=2284

[Roger]

Well, the Senor changes his mind about many things from time to time, probably as a direct result of his beer consumption: one time Taiwan is "part of China", and then, it is not; one time he is in love with Mrs Senor, next time they have a spat. A few months or weeks ago, he said he had a "D" visa, now it's a tourist visa. So what's true???

To all that are married to a Chinese: this in no way affects your employability or your status as a foreign national seeking a job here!
You will always need a bona fide sponsor. Chinese need them as well...

He cannot escape the medical exam! Unless he prefers his illegal status!

A "D" visa iby; I am sure none of us qualifies. You must be in China for at least 5 years, for 9 months at least in every year; you must have proven economic interests here (i.e. be an investor).
Last time I read about "D" visa holders it said these people all had more than U.S. 50'000 invested here! Plus a posh position in a JV!

You can, if you know where, perhaps buy a multiple-year business or tourist visa. Lots of Hong Kong holders of foreign passports do visit the mainland on their Canadian, Aussie, German or Dutch passports with a 3-year visa! I myself don't know where they get them from, but they say they get them in Hong Kong!

[burnsie]

You can also check out the website http://www.speedbusiness.com.cn , then go to the Expatriate Affairs page. The second last one is Permanent Resident Permit. This gives you the low-down on what to do.