Job Discussion Forums

[SandyG20]

Saw an advertisment for a well known school chain/program - looked at their website and it stated that they didn't provide a work visa before flying over to China - instead they have teachers get an L visa - then switch teachers over to a foreign expert visa after arrival. Is this a good idea for a teacher to do this?[/code]

[mike w]

Basically - no.

I would be very suspicious of any school who does not provide the necessary documentation upfront for you to to obtain your Z visa before arriving in China.

If the school is legit, and can legally hire foreigners, there is absolutely no reason why they cannot supply you with the correct documents you need for a Z visa.

The forums are littered with posts about people, who having put their faith in such promises, arrive to find that the school either cannot or will not provide the Z visa or Residents Permit. They then find themselves being royally screwed, and in many instances end up working illegally.

Some schools will tell you they can change your visa, knowing full well that they can't because they are not licensed to hire foreigners.

This doesn't apply to ALL schools, but in my book, it applies to too many, and that makes it a risk not worth taking.

[Mister Al]

Spot on, mikew

Although if there are time issues and they need you to start immediately it might be worth the risk but if that was the case I'd ask to get the contact details of other FT there just to make sure before I hopped on the plane with an 'L'.