Job Discussion Forums

Judith111 · Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 5

I was offered a job at the beginning of August and then I did not hear from the agent for 6 weeks, now this:
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But it seems emergency now because the school needs a teacher immediately. To solve the rush situation, the school and I have discussed all aspects. We've already done all the preparations to clear out potential obstacles.

1. The local PSB (Public Security Bureau. It's the immigration department.) has allowed you to stay and teach there by holding a tourist visa before you go to Hongkong. Because the PSB has understood the emergency. They would support the school this time. So you don't have to worry about it as the law is the humanity.

2. All expenses of your trip to Hongkong will be covered (including air tickets, Z visa fee, car fare, accommodation).

3. You will also be paid during your trip to Hongkong.

If you insist on coming to China with a Z visa, I'm afraid the school probably will choose to hire others.
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I know there are a lot of topics discussing the illegality of teaching on a tourist visa but is this possible, that the local PSB allows it?

Kysorb · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 253 Location: Beijing

I wouldn't go.

xiaolongbaolaoxi · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 126

The PSB may allow it because they frankly couldn't be bothered by it, although the statement that they "understand" will invite many a knowing smile in terms of how that understanding was obtained.

The fact that that the school says they will hire someone else if you "insist" on arriving in a way that will not put you in jeopardy is a major red flag. They are already threatening your employment before it existed. What will it be like later?

The fact that they say they will pay for the visa run is nice, but there is no real way for you to enforce it until after the fact. I have only met one person who was ever paid for a visa run, but in her particular case, she regarded time in HK as a vacation and was happy to pay her own way.

If this is a place you really want and can afford to wait, can you try to make this into a situation where you will start in 2011? More than enough time for proper paperwork to be prepared.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

They're going to pay for EVERYTHING (car fare, air tickets, you're receiving salary WHILE YOU'RE NOT WORKING, hotel, etc.). Very tempting. Also, I have personal first-hand knowledge of teachers who are working on tourist visas right now (one is my upstairs neighbor, he's going to Hong Kong next week for his Z) and nobody seems to care. I don't advocate working illegally, I just know it goes on and the chances of having anything bad happen are negligible.

HOWEVER, it COULD backfire. You COULD be deported. You COULD be fined. You COULD end up with an international criminal record. Unlikely, but........

I probably wouldn't do it.

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

I would be highly skeptical of this. The school of had six weeks to arrange a 'z' visa invitation letter for you now you have 'an agent' assuring you that they are going to pay all of these additional expenses to get you one when you arrive in China! Very Happy

Hopefully, you spent those six weeks also looking for alternative employment and have a couple more options lined up. If you have, then just throw the threat back at the agent. Either send me the invitation letter or I go elsewhere should be the reply.

DixieCat · Joined: 24 Aug 2010 Posts: 263

tttompatz · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:45 am Post subject:

Just so I understand....

The OP is being asked to fly in on his own dime.
Begin work illegally on a tourist visa.
HOPE that the recruiter is telling the truth (as in the school is honest) and they will pay the costs associated with getting legal.

The risk to the school = 0.
The risk to the recruiter = 0.

The (potential) risk to the OP:
-loss of airfare to China (left at the airport).
-no job materializes or is different than "advertised" (like that never happens).
-chance of getting caught working illegally, fined, jailed, deported (all at his expense).

If the school falls short he is stuck, 1/2 way round the planet with no visa, no job, and potentially no money.

If he hesitates they will find another sucker and he will be left to take the next job that comes along (not like there is any shortage of them ...
(suckers or jobs) - ESL is a growth industry and not looking like it will slow down any time soon).

hmmmm.... tough to call on this one = NOT.

.

Judith111 · Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 5

Thank you for your responses! I have already accepted another offer a few weeks back and am waiting for the invitation letter. It just takes so long and I really want to go and start work that when this came along I hesitated slightly to just go for it. But you are all right, not worth it. Will stay put and hope the papers arrive soon!