Job Discussion Forums

GZ · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 21

Hello all,
I got my passport and FEC(little read book) back from my employer(a local government owned college in Guang Zhou) today, but I do not see a Z visa on my passport. I questioned my employer at the spot, she told me that the local PSB had changed the policy. What I have on my passport is a Foreign Resident Permit stating that I am living here b/c I am working here. My situation is I entered China w/ a tourist visa, found a job in Guang Zhou, then my employer processed all legal paperwork for me. They got me a FEC and a Foreign Residence Permit(stamped on my passport) within 3 weeks after I moved into the school. I did not need to have any medical examinations done here or overseas. My questions are:
1) Is it true that I do not need a Z visa to work in Guang Zhou?
2) The Foreign Residence Permit does not state the number of entries into the country, I mean can I leave and re-enter China during my employment here?

I really don't want to leave China next year with any legal/financial problems, pls help.

Volodiya · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

There are only two documents which are required to live and work, long-term, in China- the Foreign Expert Certificate (FEC- a red booklet, which resembles a passport) and the Residence Permit for Foreigners (RPF- a sticker, placed in your passport), both of which are issued exclusively in country, by the local authorities. [Permission to live in China (RPF) is granted after permission to work has been granted (FEC).]

In contrast, Z visas are issued at Chinese Embassies and Consulates, abroad. While one may enter on a Z visa, the visa does not give permission to live and work, long-term, in China. The FEC and RPF* do that. When you have both an FEC and an RPF, you are fully documented to live and work in China. At that point, the visa you entered with becomes irrelevant.

For an additional information and discussion you could see-

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=25266

and the sticky, on the same subjects.

___________________
* The RPF gives its holder the right to exit and re-enter China, freely, during its period of validity.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

The short answer, without much elaboration: your boss is right. Guangzhou or Guang Zhou - the PSB obey orders from Peking!

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

GZ,

I have a Residence Permit and "Z" visa valid until April next year. I was told I could leave the country and return on the same visa/permit as often as I liked. I went home in August for 3 weeks and my passport was duly stamped, no questions asked when I returned. I even re-entered with a one way ticket.

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

GZ,

Don't worry about the Z visa if you have that FRP sticker. I went home this summer with the FRP sticker on my passport and was able to enter China without hassle via Hong Kong.

As long as you enter and exit before the expiry date then it's ok. Z Visa are given outside China. They used to give Z visas but they were phased out by the new FRP.

So.. Guangdong still allow change from L to RPF. That's cool! Strange though that they didn't require you to get a medical exam. They usually require one.

Claudine

Spiderman Too · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:34 am Post subject:

Volodiya · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 4:04 am Post subject:

Spiderman too wrote:

GZ · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 21

Spiderman Too is right, I know for sure that my boss just changed a L visa to a FRP in Guang Zhou for one the foreign teachers here. He was asked to have a medical examination done in country. However, they did not ask me for any medical documents.

GZ · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 21

I went to the office today, and asked my boss about the # of entries for a FRP. She told me that she knows we can travel between the USA and the PRC freely, but she's not sure if we can travel freely between other foreign countries and the PRC during the contract period(disregard the visa issue of other countries). She will update me with more info later.

I am planning to travel to Korea, Thailand and other nearby countries during the winter vacation in January 2006.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Amazing how many replies are needed to calm someone whose nerves are not strong enough to live in a foreign place...

your new resident's permit sticker in your passport is in lieu of the old work visa; more than that - it guarantees you unlimited journeys across the border. No difference anymore between multiple-entry/single-entry visas.

I tested it for the first time back in August on my way to Hong Kong. I thought I might be stopped on my way back to the mainland; nada! They let me through.
There is no silly "this country can be travelled to, that country cannot" policy! How would the border guards know which country(ies)??

Be happy and stop worrying!

GZ · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 21

It never hurts to double check.

Spiderman Too · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:41 pm Post subject:

Volodiya · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks, S. Too!

Keath · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 6:37 pm Post subject:

You are good to work. Just check the expiry of your residence permit.

Keith
www.journeyeast.org