Should I just apply elsewhere, give another school my documents, and then just sit back and wait to see who actually gets the Z visa stuff first? Because I can't really afford to be sat here for months without an income, and while the timescale for public school positions has probably passed, I could get a job for a year with a training centre just so I've got some money coming in if that's the only option.
Is there any downside to applying with another school and just waiting to see which one gets me the visa first? Kinda wishing I did that originally now...
Accepting a position at another school would probably be the worst thing you could do. Once the bureaucratic paperwork process has started, you're 'in' the nation-wide system (in all but a couple of provinces) and you're tied to the employer. If another employer tries to get you a LOI and WP those applications will be 'red flagged'... and you could find yourself with not two, not one, but NO job (and unable to apply for others).
You have made a commitment, stick to it. The employer has an investment in you (both in time and money). It takes a bit of a 'leap of faith', but remember things don't happen in China the way they do in the West... so relax, hurry up and wait. All will be well in the end. The employer knows you can't come before you have your visa.
Don't get me wrong, I
want to go to the first school. The location is good, the hours are good, the pay is good (considering the hours), and the foreign teachers I've spoke to there are all happy with the place.
It just feels like it's been an awfully long time, and as I'm sure we can all understand - it would be nice to have the uncertainty removed and 'know' that I have a job and an income coming in for sure.
If there is a nationwide system (didn't know that before, so thanks) I guess my only option is to trust the current school. I emailed them today, and they emailed me back saying not to worry, they'll let me know when they get the paperwork finished, and if I'm a week or two late it doesn't matter. I was just getting worried and wanted to see if this is common or whether I'm almost certainly getting dicked about. Looks like it's common enough not to worry yet.
Just wondering...is there some phone number I can call to check whether the paperwork
has actually been submitted or not? If it's a nationwide system there must be someone who I can give my name and school to who can check if they've submitted the documents, right? If I knew the documents had been submitted I wouldn't be worried since I'd know I'd be arriving eventually. Or would this be impossible unless I can speak Chinese? (I can't).