Job Discussion Forums

james0 · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

I recently signed a contract with a school in Beijing. They said the visa would be taken care of and that it should take about 3 weeks for me to receive the approved z visa application from China. I just got this email however, that left me a little dazed:

"Please do not be overly concerned or worried about the content of this email as I assure you it is only a minor bump in the road.
I have just received an update from XXXX our F.A.O. about the visa application for you ,and she tells me that the PSB have declined your Z visa application . The PSB state that according to new regulations recently put in place ,you are too young .
However ,this is not the end of the road as we could look at the intern rough .
I will contact you by phone ASAP to discuss this issue "

I am 22, and just graduated from one of the top liberal arts schools in the US. Not only that but I have teaching experience, and am demonstrably caucasian. This school was also not giving me the best deal for various reasons.

Does this seem like B.S. to anyone?

Maybe they cast too large a net and have to through back the small fish with lame excuses?

Or- this man is being honest with me and the law has recently changed. Can anyone vouch for this?

Thanks!

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

Yes, it may be an excuse, or it may have something to do with your teaching experience or lack thereof. Although this requirement is often waived, the norm is two years experience after graduation. If you've just graduated, you wouldn't have that.

Age enters into it too. If you were going to be teaching at a university, you would be only a year or two older than some of the students. Of course they should have told you that when they were assessing your application in the first place.

I guess you'll have to decide whether you want to "go the intern route" (which is what I assume they meant if they said "rough"). I hadn't heard of that option being offered in China before but there's a first time for everything. I assume that will mean reduced (or no?) pay, and if I were you I wouldn't accept that, especially in Beijing.

By the way, did your top liberal arts school teach you how to spell? Writing "through" for "throw" doesn't inspire confidence in your ability to teach English.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

The Email is not written by a Chinese so you could be up against one of our lot that doesn't want competition. I work in Jiangsu and in Nanjing where I get my visa processed it takes 10 working days to get things done.

Anyway it is common sense to start looking for another job as it is a load of BEEP not being able to get a visa at 22. I mean from immigration. The two year thing is from who is employing you, not immigration.

The best deal thing happens if they are happy with you at the end of your first contract. You do not have a track record here in Asia for a start. What is your degree in? Here in Asia you get into the sciences if you are smart or elementary teaching if you are not for example.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Check out this thread: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=54415

It has a very familiar tone, i.e. lack of experience, often due to age.

james0 · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

I'm sorry about the spelling errors. I've been so busy recently that I've had to dictate a lot of my correspondence through my little brother, Ryan. He's only nine years old, please forgive his mistake.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Wow, nothing changes here at Dave's. Nothing you said really makes sense, I'm afraid. The PSB is not involved until you come to China. The school applies for your work permit, sends it to you, you take this letter to the Chinese consulate in the states, which doesn't care a whit about the PSB. You get your z-visa in the states, come to China, do your medical, sign your contract. The school gets your FEC foreign Expert Certificate, Then, Then the school takes this to the PSB for your residence permit. Has this somehow change in a year???

Gosh Golly, isn't there a sticky about this? Or are there too many stickies?
How do you know about the PSB being in the states? Do you know what the PSB is? Strange!

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

You could always ask the school what the "intern rough" route is. But I suspect it's total nonsense they couldn't get your visa. They have probably found someone who is cheaper or more qualified then yourself. It's true that in Beijing they are more stringent when it comes to the rules, but if the school really wanted you badly enough, they could get you the visa.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Leon Purvis · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:

Surely, the school checked out your credentials before it issued a contract. I agree with those who think the letter didn't originate at the school.

There was a guy at another school in town whose FAO supposedly allowed him to screen applicants. Purportedly a PhD in drama or some such thing, he told others that he wouldn't consider anyone with less than a PhD or a JD (law degree). This could be the same sort of thing that's happening to you, only you got the contract before he got his hands on your name to write you the letter in time.
What's the name of your school? This guy got shoved out and was hired in Beijing.

It bugs me that young folks who have something to offer will be passed over in favor of old louts with credentials that they got from a box of cereal and who have no experience.

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

upchuckles · Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

aliaparrish · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 5 Location: New York

James:

Is this a private, or public school? If it is a private school, I think they are BSing you.

I am 56 and have been offered two legitimate offers with contracts, etc.and am making arrangements now.

I did not know that age is a problem, but in Asia it is. However.
I think the ages for China were listed as 20-60 for public institutions.

If you are dealing with a private school: DON'T. I have had numerous bad experiences with these schools worldwide,and would caution you to only deal with public schools, or Universities. With your background, I don't see why you wouldn't be offered a job. If I were you, and you can't get in for the Sept. semester, I would try to get in for a February semester.

Before, I tell you about the bad experiences I had with private schools (similar to yours in being told I had a job, then didn't in Korea), I would need to know if this experience was with a private school.

Hope this helps, Alia.