Job Discussion Forums

Hepcat516 · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 14

I came to Shanghai two months ago to take a teaching job. I signed a one year contract that promised me a working visa when I arrived, I would have to arrive on a tourist visa. I have now been here two months and have still not received a worker visa, instead they have had to renew my visa - turning it into an F visa. Recently, upon inquiring on my worker visa I was told that they would not be able to get me a Worker (z) visa because, now, to get one you must have been graduated from college and working for 4 years first (I only graduated a year ago). Instead they told me they would continue to renew my F visa until my year contract is up! I would like to stay in China for more than a year but if they continue to do this I would not be able to get a visa extension beyond this year. Has anyone heard of this new visa rule, or is there no validity to their claim? Why else might they be holding off on obtaining my visa?

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

You are working illegally - you cannot be a teacher on an F-Visa

My understand of the new process is that it requires only 2 years of teaching experience, not 4. But, I could be wrong. Either way, 2 or 4 yeras, it is still a new requirement.

The real issue, again, is that you are not legally visa'ed to work as a teacher. That requires a Z-Visa.

I suggest you find a new job that will provide legal employment.

You're risking actual punishment if you are caught - especially in Shanghai and Beijing, as well as Guangdong from what I hear.

Leon Purvis · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:30 am Post subject:

Lostinasia,

The truth is that the F visa is still being issued and still being used for teaching and employment purposes (employment meaning that one receives a pay check for services rendered).

I know someone who worked on an F visa for a whole year and never got it renewed as per prevailing requirements. He left for the states and no one said boo to him when he exited China. Now he's returning on an F visa with the full knowledge of the FAO.

With an F visa, it is much easier for a school to bring in unqualified people to teach. The Chinese consulates do not require the presentation of any official or verifiable documents (except for a valid passport) when it issues an F visa.

I am not saying that it is right. It's just what's happening in my part of China and in the Chinese consulates.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Leon said

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Hepcat, at a guess you're working for an English School, aka Language Mill, and are being lied to because it is financially expeditious for your employer to do so.
As a university graduate you can do better. Explore your options.

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

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

Let's clear one thing up straight away that is you do not havea contract! Meaning you have signed a bit of paper full stop. Keep quite and find yourself a real job.

You can get a job for instance teaching in the public school system in either Shanghai or Nanjing. They would want you to start on the 1st of September. Do a net search and have a look. You would be working for the goverment so no worries with visa.

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

4 years experience that is a new one. I been told it is 1 year experience (for Beijing) are things changing again or is this just an excuse so he cannot get the Z visa?

boubou · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 61

Cognition · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 62

upchuckles · Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

What, another person who doesn't do research before they engage in employment overseas? Incredulous.

You need to have an education, a 4-year diploma, and in many provinces 2 years minimum working experience.

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

We don't need the "spelling police" around here buddy. Please refrain from the need to point out spelling errors. By the way, an ellipse is three dots/periods, not four. Rolling Eyes

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

I know I'm not a rocket scientist, but perhaps Quite should have been quiet???

Cognition??? meaning being able to understand things? You have never written their instead of there???

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

Cognition keep quite means to get on with the job you have and let them (your current employer) think you are staying while you are actually looking for a better job.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

What, is that a saying from down under? While I have lost large parts of my vocabulary since coming to China, I have picked up a lot of Australian terms.

And found to my disappointment that many British/ ENglish differences are overblown or myths (british also say the "t" in often, and that even the english have difficulties uderstanding people from different places in the UK

I ASS U ME'd that he meant quiet