Job Discussion Forums

[happeningthang]

The latest in a ridiculous parade of stipulations. A school applying for my work visa tells me I can only apply from my home country.

I'm not in my home country, and have no desire to spend the couple of thousand dollars in getting there and back, and supporting myself while I wait.

They say "we'll see" - as in there may be a way around since I've been working as an ESL teacher where I am - but is this going to be a problem everywhere?

[englishgibson]

yes, i've heard that before too. this is an attempt to either keep us loyal to one employer or to get out. this will not allow a so called fts' job market on mainland as we tend to drop by and check what kind of a job we'd have to sing into for one-year contractual agreements. ch-employers surely do not want us to see their holes prior to our arrivals

cheers and beers to internet that offers some chance to the holes to fill in although i've filled this last hole i am in on my own and with my "former mamager's help"

[happeningthang]

So it's a load of bollocks then? I can apply for a z-visa at any Chinese embassy?

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

you have to apply for the Z visa at whatever embassy/consulate is listed on the documents the school sends to you. if that's the chinese consulate in your home country, then that's where you have to get it.

it's true that many people who wanted chinese visas in the past 18-24 mnths had to go back to their home countries to get it, but that didnt apply to all nationalities all the time.

if you haven't already, just tell the school you want to work at where you want to get the visa and wait for their reply. their explanation of "we'll see" may just be their way of wielding some kind of authority over you. like they said, just wait, and see what transpires.

[Sinobear]

You can have your Z visa processed in HK providing that the letter of invitation states you are to get it processed in HK and your employer submits all the necessary copies (business licence, etc) to the HK office prior to you showing up in person.

Cheers!

[Hansen]

As long as FTs submit to onerous requirements, onerous requirements we will have. Remember, you are applying for an expert visa, yet they are making it as difficult as possible for you to receive one.

Little people in little offices behind little desks live to make things as difficult as possible for those over whom they rule. Virtually no concept of "service." These are the people Mao Tse Tung drove into the countryside, yet they are again ubiquitous.

Unfortunately, many do not understand compromise. They will deprive you of whatever service they offer if you will not comply with their often outlandish requirements.

Interestingly, as mentioned above, they are sometimes, perhaps often, wrong about what they require. They will rarely seek clarification. Unless you have contact with someone with big guanxi who can arrange to step on or over them, not much can be done.

There are people like this in the USA, but not so many. Perhaps the easy availability of firearms keeps them to a minimum.

[Teatime of Soul]

You can get your Z visa in any county (at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate) PROVIDED that is what is written on your letter of invitation.

Your FAO has to specify that when they request the letter. If somebody forgets, they'll just write in your home country.

Ask them to do it correctly. They (SAFEA officials) may ask some questions, such as why you are where you are, and for what purpose, but it should not be a show stopper.

[happeningthang]

Good to know people - again - thanks to all who responded.

I'm actually in Korea, a short ferry ride away, and it's beyond onerous to ask me to travel several thousands of miles in a loop to get done what I can do here in half a day.

I haven't actually started the job yet, so there's little authority they can wield (as yet) and they do seem semi-desperate to get a teacher over there. But still - they've made some odd requests I've never before encountered, to no good purpose that I can see, and I was wondering before now if it was to gauge just how compliant I could be.

Hmmmm.

[Hansen]

OP, If you refuse to make a trip home, the person handling these things might have to actually do something to fix the problem, thereby enabling you to arrive in China from Korea.

Often, the inconvenience thrust upon you is of no consequence whatever to the FAO or whoever is responsible. He/she is not the one losing time and money. Why should he care?

If they are really wanting an FT, tell them you can not make the trip home unless they pay for the ticket. Let them either fix it for you or find another school. Impossible situations here can usually easily be fixed by someone with guanxi. If they can't fix this, find another school.

Incidentally, many of these people will "jerk you around" just because they can. Don't let them. Once they discover they can use you to bolster their own inferiority issues, there will be no end to it.

Often, problems like what you are describing are caused by the person handling things for you on the Chinese end. It's a mistake to assume that the FAO understands his job or even cares about doing it properly. He may have gotten the job because he hates foreigners and wants to make things as difficult as possible for you. Another possibility is that the job was just thrust upon him with his already hectic schedule.

Priority wise, you are just another problem with which he has to deal.

[killian]

i was recruited from korea to china. got here. was necessitated to fly to LA. hit the chinese consulate. got out of town. in LA for less than 24, but requirement met.

colossal waste of money. my employer paid for it all.

[Molson]

[Lipps]

If you have a visa for living or working in Korea, you can apply in korea. You can apply in ANY country so long as you have a valid VISA for being there.. Otherwise you will certainly have to return to your home country.

You can get it in Hong Kong if the invitation documents specify hHong Kong, but they are changing the rules and it is not applies equally.

Not worth the risk.

[happeningthang]

[Hansen]

While Killian was fortunate to have his school pay for the trip, it may not have been necessary.