Raoul Duke
Lovable Rogue
Benevolent Despot
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"Be specific if you order the mushrooms!"
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« on: April 25, 2008, 07:17:21 AM » |
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This is just coming up as a general notice to readers that the visa situation in China is rapidly descending into madness. We are experiencing a massive crackdown on visas in the months leading up to the Olympics.
The word I have now is that tourist (L) visas are not being granted for a period of more than 30 days. To be here on a tourist visa, you now have to leave the country every month to go buy a new visa. A VERY expensive proposition for most people...for many the cost of a trip to Hong Kong and the cost of the visa will eat all or most of their monthly salary.
New business (F) visas simply can't be had. Chinese Consulates are not willing or able to issue them.
Residence permits can still be gotten from companies licensed to hire foreign workers, but the schools are getting pretty tight-fisted with them. A great many schools obtain residence permits, without our knowledge, through methods that are, uh, well,...not entirely on the up-and-up. Many places, when submitting documents to the police and the Labor Bureau, quietly substitute your contract for a phony one from another entity who has residence permit rights to sell. Police in many cities are taking closer looks at contracts and licenses, refusing permits, and prosecuting schools getting permits illegally. A lot of schools that issued residence permits before are now suddenly finding themselves unable to do it again. I've just been through one of these myself.
Conversion of visa types (such as an L to an F or residence permit) seems to be at a standstill.
Personally, I seem to be squeaking through this one by virtue of being married to a Chinese national; I am getting a Spouse visa. Even that is proving a challenge. I'm EXTREMELY irked that I have to use this route, as those who know my charming wife can attest, but it's the only way I can stay in the country right now.
I'm already seeing many friends who have no choice but to leave the country. I fear that most of this wave is yet to come.
If this trend goes as foreseen, an awful lot of expats are going to be rolling up their packs and shipping out soon. This will leave a lot of schools high and dry; I expect that they will become pretty desperate for foreign teachers and turn to all sorts of means to try and lure people over here.
I've always said it, but now it seems truer than ever: Don't take a job in China that will not firmly promise you a residence permit. If possible, have the Z Visa in your passport before you get on the plane; the process of converting tourist visas has gone from iffy to impossible. Foreigners living and working here on anything short of a residence permit are even more vulnerable than usual.
If you're already here and want to renew with your school, a private meeting to make damn sure they can come through when crunch time comes around might be a good idea.
Be careful out there. More on this situation as it develops...
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« Last Edit: May 28, 2008, 05:26:32 PM by Raoul Duke »
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"Here in China we aren't just teaching...we're building the corrupt, incompetent, baijiu-swilling buttheads of tomorrow!" (Raoul F. Duke)
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kcanuck
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Canadian Stop Sign
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« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2008, 08:24:25 AM » |
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Our school sent a letter of invitation to my replacement this week. He's been vacationing in Cambodia and went to the Chinese Embassy with all his papers (he has an MBA and four years teaching in China) and they said they were not issuing Z visas. They told him to go to Hong Kong.
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I am still learning. Michelangelo
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ericthered
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« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2008, 08:44:41 AM » |
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Eeek...those are not good news.
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"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination." Oscar Wilde.
"It's all oojah cum spiffy". Bertie Wooster.
"The stars are God's daisy chain" Madeleine Bassett.
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dragonsaver
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« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2008, 08:53:10 AM » |
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My current visa is good till Aug 31/08. Last year they renewed my Z and residence permit before I flew home for holiday. I wonder if they will have to renew me once I arrive back in China? (I fly back Aug 20).
I think I might ask the person in charge of getting visas next week.
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Be kind to dragons for thou are crunchy when roasted and taste good with brie.
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Noodles
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« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2008, 10:19:09 AM » |
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I am getting a Spouse visa. Even that is proving a challenge Are you talking about the elusive 'D' visa or is this the spouse 'L' i have heard about. |
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The future's so bright i gotta wear shades
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Raoul Duke
Lovable Rogue
Benevolent Despot
Gender:
Posts: 6729
"Be specific if you order the mushrooms!"
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« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2008, 02:51:47 PM » |
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I am honestly not sure yet. My charming wife is cooking all this up back in her home town, where grown men tremble and small children run in fear at the mention of her name.  My suspicion, though, is that this is a spouse L. |
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"Here in China we aren't just teaching...we're building the corrupt, incompetent, baijiu-swilling buttheads of tomorrow!" (Raoul F. Duke)
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Schnerby
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« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2008, 06:45:08 PM » |
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So perhaps the song and dance routine I'm performing at the Chinese consulate is simply part of this process. Super annoying!  |
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kcanuck
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Canadian Stop Sign
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« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2008, 07:03:30 PM » |
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Schnerby, I recall reading that you are a journalist...you may have to dance a little harder to get in...good luck
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I am still learning. Michelangelo
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becster79
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« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2008, 12:17:42 AM » |
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Well, I'm supposed to be renewing my contract for another couple of years (just still fine tuning the salary!) and my RP is valid til 23 August- but I don't plan to fly back til at least the 25 (deliberatly AFTER that thing in Beijing). So I've warned my FAO he will need to renew before I leave. I also warned him of all this talk about visa probs. He doesn't seem at all fazed and that there won't be any probs. I know this school is licenced for teachers because VSO have been here. I just don't know how much time/ weeks to give my passport to him to get this done before I leave!
Still, will have another chat to him on Monday on the way to the dentist....which is a pain because every time I ask him about something I need he always complains he's so busy. I started talking to him about the contract 3 weeks ago and STILL don't know what's happening, pay rise etc!
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Con ate dog
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« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2008, 01:07:31 AM » |
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Still awaiting my new passport, upon the receipt of which my school will get me a new residence permit. Mind you, I have racked up a huge late fine... me no sleep good.  |
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And there is no liar like the indignant man... -Nietszche
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. -William James
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becster79
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« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2008, 02:49:15 AM » |
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Con, are you sure? Why are you getting a new passport? Renewal? If so, the other RP should still be valid...even if you threw it down the loo it would still be okay (and yes, I know a FT who did this...)
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Lotus Eater
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buk-buk..b'kaaaawww!
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« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2008, 05:35:45 AM » |
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Heard today that foreign students are being told to leave over summer. Not sure about their visas etc.
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Pashley
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« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2008, 06:02:47 AM » |
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Heard today that foreign students are being told to leave over summer. Not sure about their visas etc.
That was reported, for Beijing, on the TEFL China list a week ot two back. Someone else posted a link to China Daily denying the rumour. Did you actually hear this from a student who had been asked to leave? If so, from which city? I've asked foreign students in Nanjing. None of them had been told to leave, though several had Nth-hand stories of problems in Beijing. |
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The Internet sees censorship as damage and routes around it.
John Gilmore
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Lotus Eater
Limboid
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buk-buk..b'kaaaawww!
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« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2008, 06:05:24 AM » |
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I heard it from friends who have student friends - so second hand - but they were clear that the students themselves had told them.
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MK
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« Reply #14 on: April 26, 2008, 06:43:15 AM » |
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好酒不溅
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