Job Discussion Forums

[TangWolun]

Dear Shanghai trainers and teachers

I hope to go against the odds, get my "L" visa as requesed and stipulated in the contract and get over to China at the beginning of August.

Anybody had experience with this IBO highschool in Shanghai near the Shanghai Teacher's University?

Thanks
TangWolun

[jwbhomer]

Have you read the stickies about visas? Are you aware that it's illegal to work on an L visa?

[TangWolun]

[jwbhomer]

(MOD EDIT: KEEP ON TOPIC)

OP, at one time it was possible to enter China on an L visa, after which a reputable school would organize the FEC and Z visa for you. However, my impression (from reading recent threads on the topic here on Dave's) is that you are not required to get your Z visa in your country of origin before entering China.

I expect North China Laowei (a.k.a. ???) will probably jump in at this point with a lengthy dissertation -- perhaps even a Latin phrase or two to impress us -- but at the end of the day, as Mike W. says, it is illegal to work on an L visa, as Mike W says. And the rules ARE being enforced.

[TangWolun]

Folks,

I want to focus back on my original request which was for any information that users of this forum might have about this prestigious International Shanghai Foreign Language highschool.

Cheers
TangWolun xiansheng

汤沃伦先生

Thanks for your concern and take on matters Mike but can we please keep to the question asked. This is China - Chinese laws work in mysterious ways sometimes. Even when there are Olympic games on @!
It's all part of a culture that has a long history of only wanting selective and convenient transparency!! LOL

[mike w]

OK - I'll make my point again.

It doesn't matter what type of school / college / university, nor does it matter who founded it or funds it, or how prestigious it may be; and it doesn't matter what your contract stipulates, it is ILLEGAL to work in China on an L visa.

There seems to be a fairly high number of teachers for whom this is now becoming a reality and are having to leave China in order to get a Z visa processed in their own country. The application of the rules has in the past been slack, open to interpretation, ignored by schools, or whatever, which has allowed people to be employed in China on L and F visas - but now the rules are being strictly applied. Working for a Chinese company / school on an L or F visa is illegal. L is tourists. F is for people invited to conduct business etc. who are not being paid by a Chinese company, and Z is for working. Most F visas used for working in the past have been issued either because the school / company is not licensed to hire foreigners, or they do not want to register their foreign employees with the tax bureau.

In the current situation, I would strongly advise anyone coming to China to get your Z visa BEFORE you leave your home country. Ignore the promises of conversion when you get to China - it is highly likely the conversion won't happen.

If the school / company cannot or will not send you the appropriate documentation to support your Z visa application, don't accept the position. If you do, you may find your stay in China is very short (maybe only one month).

[TangWolun]

Folks,

I want to focus back on my original request which was for any information that users of this forum might have about this prestigious International Shanghai Foreign Language highschool.

Cheers
TangWolun xiansheng

汤沃伦先生

Thanks for your concern and take on matters Mike but can we please keep to the question asked. This is China - Chinese laws work in mysterious ways sometimes. Even when there are Olympic games on @!
It's all part of a culture that has a long history of only wanting selective and convenient transparency!! LOL