Job Discussion Forums

pschwart · Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 12

Here's the deal:

My girlfriend are wondering 2 things;

1) If we were in Thailand and wanted to travel to China overland, would we need separate visas for Laos and Vietnam, and if so, how much do you think it would cost to get these? Is this a huge hassle, and would it be worth it instead of flying bangkok to china?

2) How difficult is it to switch a tourist visa to a business visa from within China?

We have a friend of a friend who runs a school in China, and are thinking about working there for a short term (a month of two). We're not sure if he will be able to get us a working visa, so we want to get a tourist visa, and while we are there, find a job we like in the same area.

Can we find a job while we are under the tourist visa, and then use that employer to get ourselves a business visa from within China?

Also, do you think a school will still offer airfare reimbursement if we are already in China, but obviously will have to fly home/had to get there?

Thanks for the help!

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

pschwart · Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 12

I think you misunderstood.

We are planning on working for a month or two at our friend's school, which is very low paying. We are doing this more for the experience.

After that, we want to find a contract for 6 months to 1 year. I'm wondering if it will be possible to get a Z visa once we are in China, since we will be going there on a tourist visa.

And will a school give us flight reimbursement for a 1 year contract if we are already in China? Or at least the flight home?

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

its a bit more clear now. you can find a job while already in china but you would probably need to go to HK to get a Z visa. schools will still reimburse you the airfare to go home if you're already in china, but sometimes six month contracts are a bit short on benefits, better to stay a full year.

when i changed jobs the place i work at right now gave me the airfare from the previous city i worked in plus the airfare to go home in the summer ( and since it was a return ticket due to me staying at that same school for the next year, i received full reimbursement for that ticket as well ).

nobleignoramus · Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 208 Location: On the road

First question:

Of course, you need separate visas for Laos and Vietnam respectively. These two nations have not been amalgamated yet...

Then again, why would you travel to both if you are headed for China? The most direct route into China is via Laos, which borders on Yunnan province, China. There is plenty of through traffic in both directions at Mohan Frontier on the Laos border.

Changing tourist visa to 'F' visa?

Why?

If youwant to do that in order to put in a short stint as a cultural ambassador, I doubt they will want you for one month only. One-month stints are a little dubious if you want to hear my opinion.

Ah, by plane or via the terrestrial way?
I hate flying. There is so much more to see and experience on the
ground.

However, Laos is a logistical challenge (unlike Thailand!). Bad roads, poor communications, sometimes expensive accommodation, mostly lousy.

pschwart · Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 12

I would also like to clarify something.

I did not know that a business visa is different from what I will need to teach English, the Z visa. I just read up on that.

You are right, I would not need to enter Vietnam, and would instead cross into Yunnan Province from Laos directly.

If I went into Yunnan Province on a tourist visa, what is the longest they will allow me to stay on that?

And what is the best way to go about getting a Z visa once I'm in China if I find work while I'm on a tourist visa?

Lastly, I need to make it clear that I am intending on staying in China for a full year. The only thing that I'm doing for 1-2 months is staying with my friend in Yunnan Province. I want to arrange a Z visa ASAP during/after that, but I do intend on staying for a full year.

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

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

Might be worth knowing that you can get *very* cheap flights from Bangkok to Shenzhen, maybe also Guangzhou and Macau. If you are only interested in keeping costs down, this would be better than going via Yunnan (you can also fly Bangkok or Chiang Mai to Kunming, but it's more expensive).

Irrelevant if you actually want to travel overland, or if you want to spend time in Yunnan (which I certainly recommend!) but just thought I'd mention it.