Job Discussion Forums

fallon77 · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 105 Location: Harbin

Why does every employer want a copy of my passport when I apply for a job? I'm sure there is a valid reason for this, but I don't want to send my documents to someone who might use them for dubious means.

When I apply for a job now I include a line in my emails that says, "After you review my CV and we discuss the position I will forward you my passport if I am interested." Probably bad form, but this is my own little form of protest. A boycott, if you will.

Anyone have any feelings about having to give your passport data to all and sundry when applying for positions? What is the rationale behind this?

Regards,
Fallon

Midlothian Mapleheart · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Elsewhere

Edited to remove offensive content.

Middy

pandasteak · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 166

yeah, it does make you uncomfortable for sure.

I recommend writing COPY across it using a big red magic marker.

Either that or you can scan (or take a picture of) you passport, and go into photoshop (or a similar program) and write COPY across the entire thing.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

there's no need to worry. passports (most countries) are now made using updated technology that makes a scanned copy useless in the unlikely event a school tries to use it for nefarious purposes. the money being made in illegal/false passports is being made by those outside the esl business.

my guess is the school just wants to be sure you're from one of the english speaking countries, however, as we know, chinese like to know a lot of information, whether its required or not.

dong what pandasteak recommends isnt a bad idea, but any good PS user (with bad intentions) can easily remove anything you put on a scanned copy of the passport.

7969

KES · Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 722

Schools also need to see you have at least six months validity in your passport, this is required to issue a Z Visa.

Plume D'ella Plumeria · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 28 Location: The Lost Horizon

I suspect it is for two (or more reasons):

1). They want to know your age (easy way to find out, without having to
ask outright. They know it's not good manners in the west.

2). They want to get a general idea of what you look like.

WordUp · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 131

They need it along with your signed contract to process your invitation forms with SAFEA and the local PBS.. If you havent signed a contract with them, they're peeping out if you have good oral hygene..