Job Discussion Forums

writpetition · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 213

I posted here some time ago about how my school wasn't returning my passport with the Residence Permit, saying it was with the PSB. Seven weeks! That's how long my passport has been with the school/PSB.

Last week I called the henan office of SAFEA and also sent them an email. And, now there is absolute silence at that end, too.

I am worried and really have no clue as to what's going on.

Any thoughts?

waynehead · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 15

Why haven't you contacted your embassy?

Ms Bean · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Wilmington

I second that, but first ask your FAO to check into it. Ask by email so that you have some sort of proof that you asked.

One thing for sure, you have to cut some slack for your FAO and the authorities with whom they must interface. To a westerner six weeks is an incredibly long time. However, keep in mind that the Powers that Be are dealing with a lot of people. It is December now. After Christmas, I think that it is reasonable for you to send a nice neutral-tone reminder to the FAO.

Contact the American consulate by email if you haven't already registered your presence with that agency and mention that you haven't seen your passport for awhile. While the consulate may not become directly involved in the problem initially, the Chinese staff who work for the consulate may have a better way of handling the situation than engaging in direct confrontation.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

I might have you confused with someone else. Didn't you say that the FAo was taking you to the PSB to confirm the problem. The SAFEA will not want to enter this territory, I think. These two entities, SAFEA and PSB have clearely marked boundaries and are wary of each other. I can not see the SAFEA entering into any problem with your Passport. Problems with contract or working/living condition, yes contact the SAFEA.

You really need to go to the PSB and get some confirmation form your FAO and the PSB about when was your Passport actually handed over. Right now you just have my FAO said ..., which doesn't mean anything.

The PSB does not bite, unless you are acting illegally. That the FAO has not taken you there yet makes me wonder about the FAO. Go to the PSB office as soon as possible

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

Anyone who allows anyone else to take their passport for more than about one business week is crazy.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I wouldn't wait until after Christmas. If you plan to travel anywhere, that will cut down on your holiday significantly. Go to the PSB alone or with a student/translator if the FAO won't take you immediately. If you don't get a straight answer there, maybe it was lost or stolen and they are spinning around trying to find it. If you don't have a receipt for the original handing over of the passport try to get one from the PSB or your FAO. Check with your embassy now as for what you need to get a new passport, just in case.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

Chinese are often very lax about responding to email. After all, look at the billions of hours they waste on their cell phones.

Go in person: To the FAO, the visa folks. Ask the status. Don't threaten...yet. Also, what is your DOS doing about all this> He/She should be active in the process.

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

Ask for the receipt they were given when your passport was given to the PSB. It is a small white paper that states also the fee (about 800 RMB for 12 months).

This is the proof that your passport is in the hands of the PSB and (presumably) being processed.

Good luck.

Fred Smith · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Posts: 77

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but a friend of mine was in a similar situation and the outcome was his school lost his passport and panicked and didn't know what to do and were very embarrassed by the situation.

The stalled him for almost 2 months before telling him the truth.

When he went to the consulate to request a new passport he told me they really let into him for waiting 2 months in reporting the loss of the passport. Citing "security issues" and his waiting to report the loss for so long they took a very long time in replacing his passport and told him he would not get another replacement outside of the USA if he ever reports it lost or stolen again.

Can you give us an update on your situation?

writpetition · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 213

Thanks to all of you who shared your thoughts on the passport/RP problem.

I finally got my passport with the residence permit last week. I think this was a happy consequence of the Henan SAFEA calling the school but this is just guesswork because the SAFEA hasn't responded to any of my mails or calls.

The date on the RP is 12th November which is a little before the date of expiry of my 'z' visa. There is no difference that I can notice between this RP and the previous RP's.

There is, however, a small glitch. My contract is until the end of June while the RP is valid until 3rd June! The FAO did point it out to me and said they would renew it before the expiry. I hope they do so and don't take as long as they did this time.

Once again, thanks to all who advised me!

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

All's well that ends well. Nov 12th? So someone had it for a month. If your FAO didn't take you to the PSB, my guess is that the FAO office had it all along, so yeah, maybe it was the call to the SAFEA that did the trick. Hard to imagine the PSB actually lying about the stamped date.

Good work, thanx for letting us know

Fred Smith · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Posts: 77