Job Discussion Forums

chalk · Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 7

Today I am supposed to start a one year contract teaching ESL in China. Yet here I sit in California waiting for "Government Paperwork" to be processed so I can obtain my visa. Has anyone else experienced unusual delays in getting the necessary paperwork issued? ( I signed in July).

Perhaps more importantly, has any one else had to pay for their own visa? Here is what I am being told by my recruiter.

"[i]The school, as with all schools, does not reimburse teachers visa costs. Essentially the schools bears all costs associated with processing your visa documentation in China, that is, before and after your arrival in China, whilst teachers are responsible for applying for and obtaining their Chinese visa in their country."

Is this a new twist since I was last in China teaching in '06, or am I being sold a bill of goods here?

dharma86 · Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 187 Location: Southside baby!

It is probably hard to know what the delay is. Maybe the school just didn't bother to process anything until now. My documents took less than a week to process.

Your recruiter is telling the truth. You pay for your own visa in your home country, then when you get to China the school will pay for your medical exam and all costs in getting your residents permit.

happigur1 · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 228 Location: USA

chalk · Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 7

I haven't gone to the Consulate in San Francisco yet as I have not received the letter of invitation that must accompany the visa application. The delay is not from that end, but from inside China.

chalk · Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 7

I was just looking at the 60th aniv. article and doing some surfing on lonelyplanet and it would seem to be very possible that this,coupled with the Flu thing, is a big part of the delay. Thanks for you input!

happigur1 · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 228 Location: USA

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

You might want to consider starting a new job search with a new recruiter. There are so many jobs in China, so many recruiters, and such a huge demand for teachers now. Schools and recruiters that drag their feet with questionable delays are probably best to be avoided. If you signed a "contract" in July it sounds like a reg flag. Be as careful and choosy as you want. There are many jobs and recruiters and getting into China should be a slam dunk in most cases.

IT2006 · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 1:20 am Post subject:

chalk · Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 7

This seems to be sound advice. As I have had no direct contact with the school to date, I am unsure as to how I can notify them other than through the recruiter, which I will do. I also seems that something is fishy here and I will begin looking into new recruiters and positions straightaway. It can't hurt to have some options open at this point. It just seems a waste of everyone's time and resources. I suppose I will be asking a lot more questions and expecting much less this time around. Thanks to all for the advice and pointers.

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

try do it without a recruiter, use one of them as a fall-back if you don't find anything on your own.

happigur1 · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 228 Location: USA

happigur1 · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 228 Location: USA

what recruiter are you using? Are you sure it's a reliable service...?

chalk · Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 7

networkesl. advertized on this website. They don't reply to emails or Skype or direct phone calls, and they do not set up direct contact with the school as advertized. Comon' join the Network my eye.

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

use http://en.chinatefl.com. you can contact schoolz directly via that site.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Since the FAO at my school refused to do his job, I myself acted as the FAO. I did all the paperwork to get my residence permit and FEC.

Here's what I know to be true, based on my personal experience.

This is the process for someone who has already entered the country with a Z visa and is simply renewing or extending the residence permit.

1) You must have a physical exam from an approved clinic.
2) You must have an invitation letter.
3) You must have copies of your educational qualifications.
4) You must have copies of the contract.
Take these documents to the FAO of the province.

They issue a FEC. Normally this takes about a week

You then take the physical exam results, the FEC, and the the invitation letter to the PSB office. I suggest that you also have copies of every document you showed the provincial FAO, including your educational qualifications and contract.

A residence verification is also required from the local police station. The PSB requires it before they will issue the residence permit. You must go to the local police and fill out their special form.

Some PSB offices require the copies to be made on a certain size of paper. They will not accept the incorrect size. Be sure you know what size the officer with whom you are dealing requires.

The more documentation you bring, the better. The agency with which you are dealing will take the documents they need. The residence verification is not required for the FEC but is essential for the RP.

The provincial FAO is the one who decides on your qualifications to teach, not the PSB. Once they issue a FEC, the PSB handles the RP. You must have the FEC and residence verification before applying for the RP.

It's also important to have someone from the school with you, even if the FAO won't help. Some provincial FAOs will not deal directly with FTs. They require an agent of the school to be present. The provincial FAO has repeatedly told me that people from the school must submit my documents. I am not welcome in her office.

Last time I went to get my RP, the PSB officer phoned and scolded the school FAO when I told her he didn't have time to come with me to the office.

Anyone aware of any other required documents?