Job Discussion Forums

raoul_v · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 2

Hello, I apologise if this issue has been addressed before, but I could really do with some clarification. I'm a British citizen, currently in the UK, seeking a teaching position in Beijing. I've been offered a job already which I quite like the look of, but the school wants me to arrive in China on a tourist visa. They promise me that after I arrive and hand in all the required documents to the HR Department, they will help me apply for the work visa. Is this kosher? They mentioned that I also might have to go on a visa run to Hong Kong at my own expense.

Secondly, on a related point, even if I don't accept this job, I was wondering what's the deal with seeking work after I arrive in China on a tourist visa. I've had a number of schools tell me that I should talk them once I'm in China. My friend in Beijing also told me that I have much better chance of finding a good job once I'm out there. Isn't it illegal to seek work whilst on a tourist visa though? Not to mention, I'm a bit apprehensive about just booking a flight with no guarantee that I'll find something when I arrive. Does anyone know of people who have done this successfully before, is it legitimate, and will this necessarily involve going on a visa run to Hong Kong or elsewhere?

I should say, I have no intention of actually starting work for an employer until I have the necessary work visa.

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

The sensible thing would be to tell the school to shove it.

There's likely three possible reasons why they're asking you to do this.

1. They don't have permisson to get the proper visa. You'll never get one.

2. They've offered the job to more than one person and they're waiting to see who they like most, or who's the whitest / best looking etc.

3 They don't know if they'll get the paperwork, because the police have jerked them around / not believed that certificates are genuine. Maybe in the past certificates haven't been genuine.

4.
they're in a hurry, and this is the quickest way of getting you started.

There may be shades and mixtures of the above, but your answer should be the same for all of them. Walk away. Why should you go to Hong Kong at your expense?

Don't even think about it.

big_big_bang_theory_fan · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 105

Just read the visa issuance regulations and follow the law.

mike w · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:03 am Post subject:

If the school / university cannot provide the correct paperwork for you to obtain a 'Z' visa before you leave the UK - look elsewhere.

For some people the 'L' route has worked out OK (maybe more by luck), but there are so many postings from people who have been screwed one way or another because they did not come on the correct visa. That in itself should be enough to raise a warning against taking such unnecessary risks.

Baozi man · Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 214

Avoid coming to China to teach without a Z visa. The Z visa protocol protects foreigners from people who lack the necessary resources to employ a foreigner.

As Mike said, sometimes it does work out. If you happen to be one of the ones for whom it does not work out, you will regret it. Why gamble when it is not necessary?

Shop around for an employer who will issue paperwork for a Z visa.

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

A lot of organisations are asking FTs to come in on an L visa initially and then promise to get a Z visa later. This doesn't mean they don't have the authority to hire FTs on Z visas but a recent trend is to check out the teacher in action first before going through the formal channels. Understandable given the number of muppets that pose as teachers here. However. if I was prepared to do that (and did) I'd get it in writing that THEY will pay ALL reasonable expenses for a HK visa run including travel, visa fees and accommodation. If they don't say bye bye. Of course they may agree and then fob you off when you are here and expect you to continue working on the L visa. Ask if you can contact current teachers and get the lowdown.

Baozi man · Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 214

Why take a chance on coming here without a Z visa? Are you willing to pay for a round trip China ticket on the chance you may get hired? Arrange all your affairs back home for a long trip to China and then return in a few weeks?

Get a Z visa.

raoul_v · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 2

Thanks for your replies. I think arriving on a tourist visa is perhaps not the best idea. I think it's just a case of the company wanting to hire me quickly though. I don't think it's worth the extra trip to HK, nor do I want to start working illegally in the meantime.

They're now telling me they can start applying for a Z visa for me, if I send them some scanned documents (I still need to get a health check report). This will delay me going to China, but a much more preferable than entering on a tourist visa I think.

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

xiguagua · Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Posts: 768

I was one of the "lucky" ones who arrived on a tourist visa. I came in and got to my school, got the med check, worked illegally on my L visa for a couple months, then my school paid for my HK run to get the Z-Visa. Got a free 4 day vacation to HK, not too bad.

I can see how you can get screwed over, but I guess i'm just a risk taker! Some schools have some connections and are able to situate your L visa without you going to HK. I've also had this experience, schools upgrading your visa without leaving the country, or changing your residence permit for a new school. Nice if your school has connections........but really like others said there's no sense in risking it.