Job Discussion Forums

teacherbrian · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Shanghai

I think I might have a bit of a problem.

My school got me a work permit, but not a residence permit. I asked them about this and they said that I didn't have to do anything more. I was told that all I had to do was go to the police and get the PSB stamp.

My question is, where do I get a residence permit then? I am completely confused. If my work permit is not valid, then my tourist visa just expired.

If anyone can give me some advice ASAP, it would be very useful.

Volodiya · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:06 am Post subject:

Hey, t.b., please have a look at my reply to your other post, at-

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=26047&start=60

if you don't mind.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

I assume that you are on a Z visa then. When you enter China on a Z visa it is valid for 30 days I believe. During this time your school needs to take your passport to the local Foreign Affairs Bureau and apply for a Foreign Expert Certificate. That can take anywhere between one day to one week. Once you have been issued with a Foreign Expert Certificate the school needs to take the FEC with your passport down to the local PSB and change the Z visa into a residence permit, which will be valid until the end of your contract.

Your school needs to do all this, I don't think that you can do it on your own. Ask your school again.

Volodiya · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:14 am Post subject:

OP now has two threads going on this, that's why I asked him to refer back to his original thread.

It will probably not make a difference, in his case, but he said he had entered on a tourist visa.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

The OP initially said that his employer got him a work permit, but then he said that if the work permit is not valid then his tourist visa has just expired.

So if he could clarify that up whether he has a work permit or a tourist visa, then we would be in a better position to advise him. That said if he has a working permit then what I said previously is what he needs to do. If he is on a tourist visa then thats a complete different story.

Volodiya · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:22 am Post subject:

Hi, Rock! Yeah, I agree with you, a little more clarity in the facts is always useful. We'll just wait to see what, if anything, the OP has to say, further, about all this.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=26047&start=60

Keath · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:13 pm Post subject:

What exactly does your work permit look like? Where you ever issued a green book or red book? Did they ever convert your L visa to a Z visa? Alot of schools think they know the proper procedure but in fact fail to comply and do what is required.

Is it possible the school obtained your residence booklet but didnt provide it to you? Many schools keep the book which they are not supposed to do, green residence booklets should be kept with the teacher.

Which province are you working?

As I understand, when someone comes to China on a L tourist visa, the first step towards converting the visa, is to convert the visa to a Z visa. Then apply for the Residence permit then the SAFEA red Forein Expert booklet. You should have the green booklet by now, if you dont have it, or anything that shows clearly your expiry date of emplyment or visa expiry, then you should ask your school to extend your visa or provide the proper documentation.

Keith
www.journeyeast.org
(773) 532-9988 Free Pre-Trip Consulting

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

your location says shanghai - you have possibility to get over the counter visa there just like HK

see www.visainchina.com

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

Volodiya · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:58 am Post subject:

For those who might be interested, additional details regarding the OP's situation, and the advice he's been given, appear at-
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=26047&start=60

therock called attention to some errors in Keath's post: I'd like to add some further comments along those lines.

Keath wrote:

Keath · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:44 am Post subject:

Volodiya. - We just did this Monday. (Green book was issued)

Emoo.net in Shanghai can change L or F to a Z so long as your work and residence is in Shanghai. However, They cannot for example do this service for you if you are a Zhejiang resident working in Zhejaing Province. (even if you have all the proper paperwork)

They can however extend your F or L visa even if you are living in a remote location by mail service. But you have to pay an extra 300 RMB for them to issue a temp. res. permit.

Volodiya · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:09 am Post subject:

I wrote:

hesterprynne · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 386

what is the dealio? My boss just renewed my work visa and my green book didn't come back from the PSB with him- he says I don't need it. Is this right?

Rabid · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 199