Job Discussion Forums

[JRJohn]

I wrote a post a few days ago about visa processing times. The first time I went to China it took from early August to mid-November. Thus I could not get to my university until November(like half the western teachers). The second time, a college in Beijing had already hired me before the end of my contract. This year, my second school told me at the last minute that they didn't want me back. So I tried to apply for new jobs, but was only successful after going back to the U.K.

If the college in Beijing has cancelled my old residence permit, will I have to wait 3 or 4 months for a new Z-visa although I have been in China before?

[Miles Smiles]

If they want you ASAP, they'll apply for the letter of invitation now. It may take 2-3 weeks for you to receive it, depending upon whether anyone is in the school office and how the mail is working.

If you work for a public institution, and you are accepted for employment in March to begin working in September, you may not receive your letter of invitation (which allows you to apply for your Z visa) until the last week of July or the first week of August because

a). They don't want you to apply for the visa and the have it expire before you arrive

or

b). they don't want you to arrive before school starts