Job Discussion Forums

[asima048]

Hello,


I have recently been offered a position in Suzhou, for 7000rmb/month, apartment included. The contract is 18 months and would begin in the beginning of January. I am currently in Canada and to get there on time, the school suggested I go over on a tourist visa, and then have it changed to a working visa once I am there, as the process is quite long. Is this safe to do?

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[Old Surrender]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=48879

There's a sticky on this. From what I undestand, you can't change your visa in China, you'll have to go to Hong Kong. How that saves time, I dunno.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[Old Surrender]

I don't know why, but I read January as February.

[sui jin]

I believe all the teachers at my school (a public uni) arrived on L visas and had them changed to RPs - the school prefers it that way, and the PSB is obviously content too. Same thing happened at my last school (in Jiangsu).

But you need to check with current teachers whether your employer can do the same - my guess is that it varies not just province to province but also city to city. It may even depend on the school's guanxi with the local PSB.

[randyj]

I reluctantly arrived in August on a tourist visa, with the promise to change this to an RP after arrival. Former teachers had lavishly praised the administration of the school, and I had a good feeling about my personal communications. It turned out fine. I obtained the RP with no problems.

[slayer6719]

I arrived here in Fuzhou on a tourist visa, my school extended it for a month then sent me on the HK visa run for my Z etc.

[Hansen]

I'm guessing, but experience tells me that if your school FAO knows how to deal with the papers, many things are possible which FTS are told are not possible. Getting a visa changed or issued without returning home, would be one example.

Employees, such as bank and PSB, would prefer to inconvenience a client rather than make a call, a referral, or admit that they are not sure.

You might not believe that a person here would rather you fly across the world than that they actually find out an alternative. They would. For one thing, many of them hate foreigners, so any problem they cause for a foreigner, secretly warms them inside. Another factor is that they enjoy the feeling of power that greatly inconveniencing anyone brings them. Inconveniencing a foreigner? Better than sex.

Then there is the issue of face. They don't want to admit that they are incompetent or inexperienced; consequently, they will, authoritatively, issue directives which are wrong, unnecessary, ill-advised, poorly conceived, costly [for others], and so forth.

If you are faced with an egregious request, be patient. Look for a work around. Sometimes, just working with another PSB member can resolve the issue. Go back another day at a different time. Talk with a supervisor. You might be surprised what can develop.

[GeminiTiger]

Only in Jiangsu can You do this kind of Tourist Visa to Residence Permit magic.

Anywhere else you will have to leave China to get your visa converted in Hong Kong or elsewhere, I don't know why Jiangsu is special in this case but as of last year it absolutely was. I saw it happen many times and I don't even think people had health checks.

However if you arrive in China without a Z-visa the schools responsibility to you is zero. If they don't like you they can make an excuse and send you away. I highly advise that you arrive here with a z-visa in hand to protect yourself especially think you may stay beyond one job. The reason for this is simple if you go to work anywhere else you will need a Z-visa, but you will not have one and you will have to leave the country to get one even though you have residence permit it does not exactly/absolutely replace that original "working invitation visa". You will pay for this yourself, so take this shortcut now it's quite possibly you will personally pay for it later.

[ttorriel]

[GeminiTiger]

[ttorriel]