L Visa Issues
- 2010-10-20
Foxy is most definitely right on this. I only just managed to return home to Europe by the skin of my teeth due to visa issues. Going to a Chinese prison is not even something I'd want to imagine,let alone experience, nor paying a bribe to get out of dodge...
Either leave before your expiry date, or stay and sort it out, costly and troublesome. My last experiences taught me a lot and it simply isn't worth being in China without a foreign linked bank account with a minimum of 40-50000rmb or equiv in foreign currency to get you out of trouble.
L visa free for all.
- 2010-10-19
Anyone that is stupid enough to knowingly illegally work anywhere in China should be arrested. Whether it is the infamous Ewha School which has had a bad reputation for several years, or any of the other crap CT's, all of which should be closed down by the CCCP immediately if not sooner. The Koreans are notorious for that kind of an illegal operation in China. In my opinion working for any Korean owned school is a fool's game to begin with. Working for an illegally run Korean school on an L visa is just asking for a jail sentence and a hefty fine in China.
Sanguine
- 2010-10-18
The school says you have nothing to worry about? If that is the case I would most certainly worry. In my experience Chinese English school owners are not the most, lets just use the word competent, bosses out there. Furthermore, that they have a cop in their pocket is not a sure thing, and even if this is the case, it's hard to know if said cop will really protect them, or just take their money and then turn them in. After all, if they bribed a cop, he knows their school is involved in illegal activity. That said, China has more cops then any other country I have ever seen. I suppose it's because the country is flush with cash, at least in part. If my home of America had as many cops as China does, I think things might be a lot safer. What you are seeing might simply be cops doing their normal everyday thing. People when they are doing something wrong tend to assume the worst, that may be what is happening here. You see more police in the area, you assume they are coming for you and your school, this could likely be the case.
It could also be the case that you are right, and that the school is about to be raided. The only thing I can say is, trust your instincts. If they really, truly tell you that the school is under surveillance, then my guess would be that and bribes paid to the cops have been more or less ineffective. If that's the case, and it sounds like it is, as cops bribed to leave the place alone would not be surveilling it, they are being paid not to after all. When people tell me not to worry when there is something to worry about, I worry.
The school also defaulted on getting you that Z visa. Having you go for the health check is a common ruse, they want to string you along, get you more committed, have you spend your own money, waste your own time. They never had any intention of getting your Z visa of course, they only wanted you to think that they would, in hopes that you would stay anyway. It worked, you are there.
My advice, and I can't guess at your education background, but if you have a college degree, and if you truly believe the school is being watched by the police, then I think you should leave, period. A school like that is not only going to break their word on other issues in the future, trust me on that, but if you are caught there working on an L, it's bye bye China. Taking this things into account, flight is best I think.
The only problem is, you only have an L visa. Most school will gladly hire someone who has the proper legal documents, it is very very easy to get a new Z for a new school if you already have one. It is very very hard to get a Z if you are in China right now, and only have an L. Many schools won't even want to talk to you if they find this out. If they had gotten you the proper documents, you'd have no problem, now, well you may, as in most places you have to leave the country to get a Z if you don't already have one. That means a trip to HK, and guess who will be paying for that. This is not the case everywhere of course, but it is in most places.
The Chinese are cracking down of late on illegal teachers, hence these kinds of laws. That L visa will make things very hard for you, and the school knows it. You are essentially their indentured servant now.
If you believe your instincts are right about the cops, then do leave, but secure a new job first if you feel you have time. If instead you feel a raid is imminent, then get the hell out of there as of yesterday.
Dragonized
- 2010-10-18
Be careful! I had police visit a school that I worked for in China for the most minute of reasons. For example they were saying that they were looking for a couple of Pakistani immigrants who illegally come into China. Maybe they used reasons like terrorism or something. But in the end it was always about controlling the school and making us intimidated by them. They may have a "we know what's going on but we'll just sit back" type of attitude like a cat toying with a mouse. They may or may not already know about you. Whatever the case save up enough money to get outta there on short notice. Note that this is just a precaution, I'm not trying to make you panic. I hope nothing bad happens to you because of this.
Foxy
- 2010-10-18
Ensure you have enough funds available to pay a 5000 yuan fine + the price of a new L visa of 10 days or so + your exit costs between Qingdao and your homeland so that you needn't go to jail if the worst comes to the worst.
Do not turn yourself in as a visa violator as the Chinese PSB are notorious for showing no mercy to foreigners who have done illegal acts in their country. Stick it out and play it by ear. Even if you end up being kicked out of the country, there will be no repercussions - you can always re-enter. Your (*) short-term visa simply and politely states that you have been 'requested to leave China'. That shows what you've done is no big deal in their eyes. You needn't even return to your homeland. Instead you could visit HK or a third-party country such as South Korea to obtain a new L visa at a Chinese visa office there before returning unimpeded. No need to worry if yu've got the funds to pay for your fine and an enforced short trip abroad. If not, then you should worry as you are definitely vulnerable, and should therefore flee asap to avoid possible detention. good luck, whatever way you decide to play it!
I am on an L visa at the Qingdao Ewha Korean School. They have refused to get my Z visa and made me pay for my own medical and then they did follow through on the Z visa process. Instead they told me that they had a cop in their pocket and not to sweat it. Now I am seeing police stand in the front guard shack and there have been police cars parked near the school watching people come and go. Should I sweat it or not? The school is clearly under surveillance but is this for FT's or some other issue? Opinions please.