Job Discussion Forums

[ms_casillas]

OK

I got suckered into this.

The recruiter told me the school is in a hurry, go to the consulate
and get your L visa. Come to China. We will change it.

Stupid me. I got it, paid 150, then i did research !! I read all
the posts, its big trouble if caught.

Ok, I told them I am not coming. Now, they said ok , ok we
will send you invitation for F visa. huh?? How can I ask the
consulate to change my L to an F?

By the way, this is for 4 mos contract. Can you please
give me some advice what to do in this situation??

It is a public university, hired through a recruiter.

Thanks!!!

[evaforsure]

Applying for a F just after being given an L will send up red flags..even though u see a lot of information telling u not to come on an L, many people have and have had those changed to Z upon arrival. It does sound thou, that if they are offering u a F, you may question them as to the possiblity of getting a RP and request contact with a current foreign employee to suss it out..

I came on an L changed to a Z and havent had any problems from it...I also know of recent arrivals on Ls which were turned to Zs so even though u may need to thread lightly and carefully, it is not all gloom.

[sui jin]

Eva, do you mean you changed your L visa for a Residence Permit once you came to China? Surely you can't get a z visa after arrival.

[evaforsure]

Mine was changed from an L to a z....but that was some time ago...

I do know of some applicants who recently had their visas changed from L to a z...it is possible as the regs allow for it...now saying that...I would first check with other foreigners to make sure they had followed the same procedures and that they were successful with that method of gaining legal employment. This tactic is also used by those who don�t have the right to hire...simply put .. the same method may be employed by different employers with different levels of sincerity. China, employment is a minefield where u have to tread lightly and only follow the footsteps of others like yourself...I am not offering the advice that u or anyone else should come on a L.. I would and did...but I am confident in my ability and I also know that no one has the real "skinny" as to the way it works...most only follow what they have been told..without really investigating the possiblities both legal and otherwise obtainable...

[theincredibleegg]

It means that they're intending to have you on an F-visa.
If they were intending to have you a Z and not have you come on an L, they would send all the necessary papers to give you a Z right away.

Depending on the school's relations, they may or may not be able to give you a Z-visa IN China.

[eddy-cool]

The consulate will have to cancel your tourist visa - your bucks will thus be wasted. The business visa will have a similar price tag.

If they are so flexible at this stage expect more flexibility once you have accepted the job; next time, however, flexibility will mean something else, possibly 'yes, it's true, we offered you this position at 3000 kuai a month but that was a mistake... please it's half that amount, or double the lessons...'

[nickpellatt]

It could also be nothing to worry about, especially as you are only on a trip lasting a few months.

Whilst things could be as bad as some may suggest, they are also just as likely to be fine. There are plenty of people coming to China and working without the correct visa. My housemate and I did the exact same thing for 18 months. I arranged a job in my province for someone from my hometown and he arrived on an L visa that was changed to a Z in country (Hainan - March 2008)

He went on to another province and did the same thing. I also have two facebook friends in Guanxi Province on F visas.

I would guess there are 1000s of people in China doing the same thing.

I would guess there arent so many people on official Z visas doing a short term contract?