Monday, 13 June 2011

Some schools will coax teachers into entering China with a visa other than a "Z" and it can cause a great deal of problems for that teacher.

But some teachers enter China with a "Z" visa and this can also cause a great deal of problems for that teacher.

Plaese bear with me. A Chinese Z visa is merely a visa allowing a foreigner to enter China for the purpose of working legally in that country. It is valid for up to 30 days from the date of entry for the foreigner to reside in China legally without a resident permit. If he doesn't use it along with other documentation to obtain a resident permit within 30 days of being in China, it becomes invalid thereafter. It basically acts as an L (or tourist) visa for said 30 days. If an RP is not obtained within 30 days of entry, it assumes the role of an L visa, and can only be renewed on its expiry date by an L visa inside China if the local PSB decides to grant one. A Z visa is not a teaching contract, and on its own, ie without an RP, shouldn't be considered a valid instrument for working in China. You may only legally work in China if you have a valid Resident Permit. If you teach without it, you're illegally working. Now, the way most Chinese employers operate is illegal. They ask foreigners to teach for around 14 to 21 days before a contract has been countersigned. Bear in mind that an RP cannot be issued without a copy of the contract. If the employer is dissatisfied with the foreigner's teaching during that 14 to 21 day period, he can withdraw his job offer. You can do nothing in thst situation. No contract offered for your countersignature is how the employer can do this, so no RP. Another thing is this, the Z visa is for employment in a particular province or municipality. If the employer won't get you an RP, the Z visa can only be used to obtain an RP for another teaching post in that province, not in another province. Fact is, you'd be better off with an L visa, as it is more versatile. Some provinces insist you obtain medicals in your homeland in order for you to get your Z visa at the Chinese visa office abroad. Medicals can be very expensive outwith China. Other provinces don't have this regulation.

The best way is to find a job in a province that will replace an L with a Z. That will allow you lots of time to check out various Chinese schools locally there before signing your contract,because most Westerners can get 90 day L visas before coming to China.

Guangxi province seems to fit the bill, but make sure it does before you come. If it doesn't, you'll have to do an HK run before your L visa expires. But some foreigners like doing that to visit HK for a short break, though that's not for me.

To sum up, a lot depends on the employer's honesty and if he likes your teaching. The visa type, ie a Z or an L, is no guarantee of that. The most important thing is to find out exactly what the situation is visa-wise where you're bound for and if the school is reputable. You should also see the situation there for yourself re the apartment and the job itself. An L visa gives you more time if things go pear-shaped to find another teaching position, maybe even in another city or province. A Z visa doesn't. It's always best to have a portfolio of reasonably honest agents. You can get another job through them quickly if you wish to move on or if the employer refuses to give you a contract. And to finish, I should say that it's not illegal to look for work while in China with an L visa, and you didn't enter illegally if you do so. When you entered, it was to tour. But once in China, you decided to look for work.

L or Z? Neither is watertight!

Thursday, 9 June 2011

I know 2 females that just did it in Guanxi and they are now on valid Z's with PR and they have since traveled in and out of the PRC on those without any problems so there must be exceptions to the rule. Both of them are from the UK. Both are working in a college.