Job Discussion Forums

[Zorak03]

Hello all I have a question. I am a living in Guangzhou and a few months ago I attempted to obtain a FEC for my Z visa. However, my first attempt was rejected, the reason given was because I did not have a TEFL Certificate; I believe that was in June. Ok, I enrolled in a course and received my TEFL; reapplied in July and was rejected again... No clear reason given (to me at least) this time.

Im not the only one, pretty much every teacher at my school has had the same issue. In fact, one teacher was given the FEC and Work Permit in May. He then went to Australia and obtained a Z visa. However, when he returned to Guangzhou in June, his residence permit was rejected... Something about his degree not being good enough.

I know now the F visas have lightened up, as I was just able to receive a 6 month-multi-entry F visa from the Guangzhou PSB. I am hoping that the Z visas have lightened up as well. I am going to ask my school's FAO to re-apply on Oct 19th. Does anyone have an experience or knowledge of the current Z visa situation?

[arioch36]

A lot of mixed up terms. You do not need/can not get a FEC to get your z-visa. Your FEC comes after your z-visa.

If you are out of country the school must apply for your invitation letter, which is not the FEC, though it may be issued by the same office. The work invitation letter is what is needed to get your z-visa. After you arrive in country, and take your medical, the school applies for your FEC, which is then taken to the PSB (Public Security Bureau) to get your all-important residence permit.

I think your imprecise or incorrect language is muddying the waters

[Lorean]

Is this with just one school or many schools?

How many years of work experience do you have? Do you have a university degree?

[Zorak03]

Hello everyone. Thank you for your replys. I am really not totally sure how the process works completely, but from my understanding the rules in Guangdong Province are a little different. GD is almost like another country...
I have been told by my school and a PSB Officer, that unlike Shanghai, the FEC and Work Permit must be applied for BEFORE getting the Z visa. This is what I was told, it may not be true. However, I saw the documents of the teacher mentioned in the OP. He had two pieces of paper, one said Experts Certificate and the other Work Permit BEFORE he left to get his Z visa. He only had a TEFL and a Vocational Certificate.
I will try to lay out the whole process, first I am a part-time teacher, I run an Ebay Business selling locally made Mobile Phone. However, I love my teaching job and do not want to give it up. The real reason I want the Z visa is so I can get a driver's license and other perks not possible for those on L or F visas.
I have been in China on and off for the last two years. I moved to Guangzhou, from Shanghai, in April 2008. I was still on a Multi-entry L visa that I got state-side last year.
When my school began the visa process the first thing was to take 16 photos, and get a receipt for the PSB, for the photos.
Next, I was sent to the Hospital for my medical exam. After picking up the results, three copies, I delivered them to the FAO. I also supplied a copy of my degree (a 2 year degree in Criminal Justice), my temp residence certificate and a copy of my passport and current visa **not my passport, just a copy.**
After about two weeks, my FAO called me to tell me the PSB had rejected my documents because I did not have a TEFL certificate. I then enrolled in a 100 hour TEFL course, received my TEFL and gave it to the FAO. This time it only took about three days to be rejected.
At that point I tried resigned from my teaching job, but was begged not to leave by the management, so I told them if they can get me a Z visa I will stay.
My L visa expired last month, I used an agent to convert it into a six month F visa without leaving Guangzhou.

[Voldermort]

Sounds to me like your school is taking you for a ride, i.e. They want you to work without having to get you the legal documents. In your position I would ask to see their certificate which allows them to hire FT's.

Getting the RP (Residence Permit) is a simple process. First the school must apply for an invitation letter (whether you are in country or not), this is then used to apply for a Z visa. This visa is only permission to enter the country and is required before the PSB can issue your RP. Point to note, even if you are in country with another type of visa, you must still be issued with a Z visa before you can get a RP.

With your Z visa in your passport, the school may now apply for the FEC (Foreign Experts Certificate). To get this you must hand over your degree, Medical Exam and/or TEFL certs. With your FEC, contract and Z visa you will then be issued with a RP.

[eddy-cool]

Parts of your latest clarifications do not mesh with my experiences: The photographs you were asked to supply must come from adesignated photoshop, and you will have to provide the RECEIPT together with the pictures. The NUMBER of PHOTOS is 8, not 16; why did you have to get 16?

The Medical examination comes in two sealed envelopes addressed to two different institutions (I forgot which ones except that one was the PSB). You mustn't open them; you will hand them over to your FAO who will forward them to their legitimate recipients.

It seems to me - and I beg you not to take offence! - that yu are a borderline case of legal RP applicant; in the past you worked here without proper legitimisation, now you are working PARTTIME. The authorities don't want parttimers who pursue other, non-declared goals while living in China.

I think the fact that your employer hired you BEFORE you even had a TEFL cert made the PSB suspicious of you.

[Voldermort]

[quote="eddy-cool"]The photographs you were asked to supply must come from adesignated photoshop, and you will have to provide the RECEIPT together with the pictures. The NUMBER of PHOTOS is 8, not 16; why did you have to get 16?

The Medical examination comes in two sealed envelopes addressed to two different institutions (I forgot which ones except that one was the PSB). You mustn't open them; you will hand them over to your FAO who will forward them to their legitimate recipients.[quote]

In which province is this?

I have only needed 2 photo's, one for the FEC application an