Job Discussion Forums

[struelle]

Well I just can't stay away from China, even now, in tense times like these with the Olympics coming up and visa troubles.

After quitting my current job, I hunted around for a bit and found new work at a similar international school on the outskirts of Shanghai! If I can get even close to Shanghai again I'm a very happy camper.

In the meantime, there is the problem of visas. So my question is, will the following plan work?

--> Get letter of release from current employer, since contract is done but residence permit doesn't expire until July 20

--> Take that letter and various other documents to the new employer in Shanghai and have them transfer the residence permit or Z visa to their name.

The only hitch I can find in this plan is that both schools will quickly be shutting down for summer, so I have to move fast. And the contract doesn't take effect until Aug 27, so the PSB may be reluctant to process a visa early.

My alternative plan is to get a friend make "hotel bookings" for me on paper, purchase a cheap ticket in and out of the country, then leave China on July 20. Armed with the above documents, go re-apply for a tourist visa, then have my new company transfer it to a Z visa later on.

Thoughts?

Steve

[Anda]

You will not be getting a transfer at all as you are changing jobs. You need to get a new foreign expert certificate plus your new contract papers and then apply for a new visa with the local police where you will be working and take along your release from your old employer. You will also need about six photos passport size. Take along all your other papers too.


The police can't do anything until you get a new foreign expert certificate issued and that is up to your new employer to obtain for you.

[Moon Over Parma]

I pretty much echo what Anda posted, but I was informed 12 photos. Your old FEC has to be handed into your previous employer, but your visa - if within its expiry date - still makes you legal. The sooner your school applies for the new FEC the better.

[North China Laowei]

[struelle]

This is all useful, but I keep hearing different stories about what documents I should bring, what the PSB are looking for, etc.

What I'm going to do is get my hands on as many conceivable documents as I could possibly need or even think of needing, make sure they are stamped and chopped, and make photocopies of everything.

As well I am working on no less than five very detailed plans on how I might get a visa for the summer and/or transfer into my new company and facilitate the process of them obtaining the new FEC and residents permit.

Each of those plans will have documents to go with it, and, if one plan fails, I'll go to the next one, fishing from my grand collection of documents which I'll be sure to carry along.

Even with all of this prep, I still have doubts I'll be able to succeed if it comes down to the whim of one particular person who is a processing a particular application for a particular hoop I need to jump at some point in the process.

I would have liked to plan ahead a bit more long term for this job change, but it all happened rather quickly .. at first I was planning to leave this country for good, but an unexpected opportunity came up at the last minute in the Shanghai area, which is the most reasonable part of China.

Steve

[Anda]

I think you are overdoing things! Just get what I posted together with your CV and copies of your degree and English certificate (TEFL) if you have one and references and whatever else you normally present when applying for an ESL job. The only thing they wanted when I tried recently was a new Foreign Expert Certificate besides my passport and a copy of my new contract. I also had my old FEC with me.


I am going with my new boss to the police tomorrow to get things done with a new Foreign Expert Certificate. I also will need to cover a few weeks between contracts so I will post tomorrow night on what happens.

Oh, I also had to have a full medical done at a government approved hospital.

You will need to go to a government-approved hospital to get a medical check. This involves an x-ray and blood work. Have the doctor fill in the Chinese medical check form, sign and stamp it.

SOME schools /unis will accept you and then help you get the medical formalities seen to when you arrive in China - inc. Blood tests, urine tests, chest x-rays, ultra-sound tests, weight and height recording.

Let a Chinese do the talking for you as they know what to say better.

[d moon]

I'm in a similar situation. New job in Shanghai, contract starting at the end of August, visa expires on the 10th of July. I'm starting to get the jitters and think this is just the wrong time to be moving. Too many uncertainties, even though I have all the required documents. I'm going to ask for an extension to my current contract at my current location and just wait until the Olympics brouhaha cools down. Hope it all works out for you!

[Moon Over Parma]

[Moon Over Parma]

[struelle]

[Moon Over Parma]

I am lucky in that respect. My new university's FAO is on the ball and communicative. When speed bumps appear in the road she's on them and we rectify whatever curve ball the regs. may throw at us. It sounds as though your future employer isn't on the ball and someone (the fao?) are being lazy and not doing what they can/should. Good luck.

[Anda]

Well I did mine today without any problems. I didn't even mention the time gap between contracts. I still have to pick my passport up but there is no problem. Medical however seemed important this year.

[d moon]