Job Discussion Forums

[Sonnibarger]

I have been trying to figure out a reasonable time table. I�m hoping to get some feed back specific to my situation. I applied for my passport 3 weeks ago at a Canada post. I�m hoping to receive it by mid June. I am currently taking an oxford seminar course that I will finish on June24th. I should also receive my college diploma by that date. I want to arrive in China at the end of July to start a 1 year contract. Is that enough time to get a z visa? About how long does it take from getting a Passport to getting a visa, assuming I have a school lined up? Is there anything I can do to speed the process before receiving my passport/diploma? The end of July is a firm deadline because I will have no source of income after July 19th and will be consuming the little fat left in my pocket book. How do you like my odds?

[eslstudies]

Public school and universities won't start their next semester until late August/early September, so I assume you're looking at a language mill position, as they hire and fire all year round. Schools of any kind will need copies of your documents, especially your passport, before they offer a contract. Your timeline may well be too short to get a Z visa in Canada. However, schools in many places can now arrange a visa in situ, and will ask you to come on a tourist visa: they'd be able to tell you if they can do that, and indeed, many prefer to do it that way.
Remember, you'll also need to get your medical done in Canada if trying for your Z visa at that end.

If looking for a public school job, also bear in mind that most of them will shut down completely over the summer break, although I've known ones that keep a skeleton FAO presence. I've never recommended using a recruiter before, but if you can find one that is widely recommended, they may be able to help you through this.

[Sonnibarger]

Thanks for the advice. I just found out that passport Canada is backed up 15 weeks. I have to track down my application from some warehouse and apply in person. If I can�t get it back then I will have to wait seeing how I sent in my birth cert. I could apply for a new birth cert. then a new passport, but that will take at least 15 days plus 15 for passport. If I can prove it�s an emergency I could bet a new birth cert in 2 days, but seeing how I need a passport to get proof of emergency I�m up Shit River. Also the fact that I have applied for 2 passports might throw a wrench in the gears of Canadian Shitocrisy.

[cj750s]

Is your posting name a reference to the HAs

[Sonnibarger]

I have used Sonnibarger as my internet alias for years. I picked it up after reading Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson a ways back. I�m still waiting to get jumped next time I�m in Oakland.

[cj750s]

speaking of that book..my favorite part was when HST describes the scene of Terry the Tramp and the Chinese landlord....where the neighbor hood was freaked by the confrontation between the angle and a sheriff but the Chinese landlord, smelling rent money, was not fazed by impending danger...

[Sonnibarger]

I managed to pull some strings and my passport was mailed out today. I went to my local MP and had him contact passport Canada. I then printed off flight info from expedia.ca before paying and faxed it in. The only way the government will help you is if you see them face to face and don�t take no for an answer.

[eslstudies]

Do you have any schools lined up, or are you trusting to luck when you arrive?