Job Discussion Forums

[mr pink]

My first contract was with a rather resourceful and equally shady private language school in Chongqing...a city where the ministry of education won't give out permits to private language schools...meaning not only was every FT at the school working illegally, but the school decided the best way to get my z visa was by saying that I was a technical expert here to do everything from fix computers to edit newspapers...not teach.

Not a pleasant bit of info. ten months into my contract.

BTW...one language school advertises that they are allowed to have FT's in Chongqing, but a few months ago one teacher was arrested for having no documentation, jailed, and finally deported. I'll save the rest for the job journal.

So...the middle school I'm going to teach at (haven't signed the contract yet) says that because I was technically not permitted to teach in China, they can't renew my visa as it stands. They say that I need to make a visa run to HK or America and then they can reapply for a new z visa when I return. Basically, they want me to apply for an f visa with a letter of introduction to start from scratch.

This sounds like a hassle for me while the school can stay clear of doing their job. Is it the city...or would I meet this problem if I tried to teach somewhere else?

thanks in advance,
mr pink

[Roger]

Your story at least illuminates my claim that working illegally in China is a risky business. It is not always that bad, though. In many provinces authorities take a laissez-faire attitude, only to start cracking the whip if Peking launches another mass indoctrination campaign.
Anyway, what keeps you from going to Hong Kong and applying for a visa there? You might get a work visa there with their letter of invitation.
I know this is not exactly what you wanted to hear. The other solution would be for you to work for a public school at a lower, but still more than sufficient salary.
Just don't put your recent adventure in your job application!
More luck
Roger

[oprah]

No kidding.. similar circumstances here?? Well into my teaching term, the school says they have renewed my L visa, while in the meantime I have been waiting to receive my green book and correct papers. They say they are legal. So how nervous do I have to be until I leave the country.. which is soon as the visa expires soon. When I get back to my home and native land and want to come again, I would think I would not have a problem?? and should I not tell future job companies that I worked in China?? I have a letter of release and a letter of reference from the school I was at, but then again what was i released from if I was working on an L visa?

[MyTurnNow]

If I'm interpreting this right it sounds like you have an Foreign Expert Certificate in another skill, so a school can't renew it for you to be a teacher. If this is accurate it seems understandable that they can't renew it...I don't smell a runaround in your story. And you would indeed likely have this situation at other schools.

Going to HK for a visa is not so bad...in fact after some time in the mainland it's a breath of fresh air for me. Ask if you can get an L as a temporary visa...it's a bit cheaper than an F and no less illegal. Make sure the school can clear all your paperwork before the L expires.

MT

[oprah]

What is a foreign Expert Certificate.. ?? but I do not think so.. All of us foreign teachers at this school ened up with the same dilema.. no working papers.. you can get heavily fined for this?? I feel it is schools fault not mine, so why can they fine me?

[Roger]

oprah,
you have NOT undergone a MEDICAL CHECK, have you? See - that's why you do not have a work visa! The documents given to you come ordinarily AFTER they have obtained your work visa, which comes after your medical report has been given to the PSB who are interested in your HIV status, and nothing else.
IF you have a residence permit or a FE it does not mean you are legit. They got them because the bureaucracy here is crazy and bloated. The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

Some light after the tunnel, though: You won't really need a release letter to get a new job - just don't mention your current position to any new employer. You have been a tourist in China for... 6 months...12 months, whatever.

Oh, and fines hurt quite bad! Plus deportation! And possible banning from China for X years!

[oprah]

I had my medical done back home on proper forms. They were accepted here.. as I said all the teachers are in the same predicament..at my school.. not just me.

[MyTurnNow]

oprah,
your situation is different and worse. Working here on an L visa is illegal, period. Anyone who tells your otherwise is putting their own ass on a higher priority than yours and is lying to you. To work here legally you must have a Z visa, residence permit, and foreign expert certificate. You can't get the other docs without the Z unless, as Roger mentioned, things locally have become completely unhinged.

It's not uncommon to work briefly on an L while the Z etc. gets processed, but unacceptable for more than a few weeks. How long has your school kept you "waiting"? The medical you had was NOT for a residence permit...that has to be done here. Has your school gotten copies of your diploma, resume, etc.? If not they are not getting you a Z visa. As long as you can leave on your old visa OK you should not have a problem getting back in later. A release letter is irrelevant for an L visa.

In general, don't let yourself get strung along (which most school owners/managers are masters at) and don't work here over a month on an L. The risks are too high. Revolt and bolt...there are too many places that can at least do this right- and too many predators who can't.

MT

[baby predator]

[MyTurnNow]

[goeastyoung(ish)man!]

Roger wrote

[Bertrand]

But we have been told my the self-ordained experts on this forum that there is nothing to worry about; that it is the responsibility of the employer..........

[naturegirl321]

[Roger]

The Hong Kong-issued work visa (goestyoung(ish)man,

I hasten to add that this tidbit is from someone else who claims to have got it in Hong Kong, and I had no reason to disbelieve him. Personally I have no such experience.
Note that Hong Kong is within the PR of C, yet it is a special economic zone under a separate WTO chapter and constituting a separate jurisdiction. This means that China has to maintain a pseudo-consulate there for the various travellers that arrive without a mainland visa. It is located in the Wanchai District on HK Island, no. 5 Harbour Rd. Here, you can apply for a visa, and I suspect they will accept a work visa application provided you have a valid medical report stating you are HIV-free.

But I must disclaim any liability if my information should prove incorrect. My employers so far applied to the local PSB for a work visa, and they could only do that after subjecting me to a medical examination at a designated clinic.

[goeastyoung(ish)man!]

Thanks, Roger. I'll probably do the normal option at the SF consulate after all, assuming I have my paperwork ready in time.