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Home » China Visa, Extensions & Residence Permits » Work Visa Vs Tourist Visa

9/17/2009 5:18:34 PM

jjohnson
jjohnson
Posts: 1 		I was recently granted an offer to teach English in China as a foreign language with a national private language institution. The Visa situation is this: I would enter on a tourist visa, undergo a physical examination (basically making sure I don't have HIV) and finally flying to Hong Kong (travel and accommodation paid for by the company) in order to apply and receive a work visa and residential permit. Every website and person I've spoken to cites this as a huge red flag- I suppose I would technically be working illegally.
Time is short- I'd leave in about a month. The person I spoke to says that they've done this numerous times with no problems.

1. Is this a common practice? I'm not teaching in a major Chinese city or province.
2. Is it really that hard to acquire a work visa even in 2009?
3. Does the company itself have a duty to ensure that I have the correct visa? Or is this all on me?
4. I read that Honk Kong cannot convert these things, and I'd have to fly back to the US in order to acquire this- true or false?



Thanks very much for your time!

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9/17/2009 7:39:32 PM

brenda
brenda
Posts: 43 		Dont do it..

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9/19/2009 11:37:40 AM

NoWAY
NoWAY
Posts: 34 		Yes..No..NO.. no.. and maybe.

It's all on YOU.. but.. a reputable school would make all arrangements and even cart your butt around to get it done and they should pay all fees but many claim otherwise.

You should get everything finalized in the China Embassy/Consulate near you with a letter of invitation from the School (note that many schools are not permitted/authorized to use Foreigners..as are many of the hotels.. ALL must be pre-authorized...oh yeah.. even the News reporting must be pre-authorized in China). The Z Visa is a 30 day permit for entry into China which must be followed up with an immediate Temporary Resident Permit application which if granted is typically for a year and about 400rmb. 30day extensions are available for 80rmb.

As for STD check.. I understand a new policy requires a Doc's note claiming you won't infect others.. oh, assuming that's the case..

All this said.. good luck.. I am uncertain if your receiving a fair shake.. I'm inclined not to think so.... Do be weary as I hear too many horror/stupid stories.. and this is China (TIC) with lots of shortcomings and hindsights...

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9/19/2009 12:21:04 PM

NoWAY
NoWAY
Posts: 34 		What I meant when I said....pre-authorized for Foreigners to "stay" at specific hotels as all Hotels are not allowed to house Foreign Nationals.

oh.. PandaVisa stated it well on another thread:
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic629-working-visa-questions.aspx

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