Do you think you can be a good teacher and make a difference if you are or feel under pressure because of your missing Z visa? I would doubt you can.

The school making your work under such circumstances also fails to show you the respect you deserve as a person with the work ethics you have and the efforts you make in the interest of your students.

Legally, you are not bound by any contract because of your lacking Z visa. That is, the residence and work permit to be issued on the basis of your Z visa within 30 days after arrival. Immigration and the PSB are not very nice when they find you working illegally. You may either face heavy fines, jail or deportation or in the worst case all of that.

If you get contradictory and confusing messages about your legal status, then it means the Chinese won't admit that there are real problems. They are always like that in such cases and won't tel you directly.

You can do one of these two things: either doing a runner and get out of China asap. Or you try to convince them to do the necessary paperwork so that you can go to HK to apply for a Z visa.

But I keep getting confusing replies when I ask about my residence permit.
By the grace of God, what should I do?