Job Discussion Forums

Smitman · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 14 Location: Guangzhou, China

Hey again guys,

I've been offered a job in Ezhou, Hubei Province. However, I know nothing about the city or the area, and the school there wants to rush me within 2 weeks to Hong Kong to get my visa (because they said it can be done in one day) before teaching there. I'm not quite sure how it all works, but don't I need a visa to get to Hong Kong in the first place?

Quote from recruiter email:
"The uni hope you can book the flight to Hongkong and apply for working visa in Hongkong because the visa can be gotten within one day. It is OK?"

I have a bunch of questions and I couldn't find any articles on Ezhou, and I'm currently going through a free recruiter, START Consulting. I know the reputation of recruiters isn't all that great, so I asked for contact information of the school and a website and they gave me the email of some dude and this link: http://www.ezu.net.cn/

Do they even speak Mandarin there? If i'm going to bullhead rush into this, I really don't want to screw myself over and would love to hear your guys' advice.

--Smitti

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

You can only get a work visa if they extended a formal invitation; you didn't mention the latter so I assume you haven't received any. I suspect this the more since they want you to fly to HK to get your visa - an invitation letter usually has to be presented to the Chinese mission in your area of residence, seldom to the Visa Office in HK. They certainly aren't working very professionally in Ezhou or at Star Consulting...

No, you won't need a visa for Hong Kong - only Nigerians, Russians and a handful of other nationals do. As a Westerner you can stay in HK for several weeks to several months visa-free.

I never heard of Ezhou. Of course, Mandarin is known and probably understoond widely there. Why should that matter?

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

"If I'm going to bullhead rush into this, I really don't want to screw myself over and would love to hear your guys' advice." -- Smithman

Your first job offer, and you're right back on Dave's. Smile

"What should I do. They're trying to rush me... want me to fly to Hong Kong for a visa. Are they trying to screw me?" Yes, Smitman, they're trying to screw you, or, at least, inmesh you in the same kind of semi-illegal work status which probably describes many of their business practices. As I've said to you before, since you are apparently in L.A., your visa application will be handled by the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. Anywhere else, and you should wisely ignore the "invitation."

uberinflight · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 15

I am going to add a question to this thread. I have made contact with a scholl that seems to be showing some interest. What I do not get (newb) is they want me to send them a copy of passport , resume and
recent photo.

Do they mean Visa, or do I need to get a passport (US).

Sorry if this is covered elsewhere. I am on an extended vacation, and have had little time to communicate with people, or research things.

Thanks

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

Smitman · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 14 Location: Guangzhou, China

Guys, thanks for the great advice. Well, doh, I guess I might just have to pass this one up, since I'm not sure if I'm in position to demand them to let me handle my visa in San Francisco, especially as I'm going through a recruiter. The situation is a small mess anyway, since they want me there within two weeks, so I figure it probably is better if I don't rush into it--or is this normal or common practice?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898