posted by ckristiansen on April 1, 2011 | 3 comments
Hi,
I have just got a job as an English teacher in China. I am already in Sino-land but have just been told that as of last week,the government regulations have changed and I will need to return home to and apply for the visa - but after they have got the paper work ready (official documents etc.), then pay for me to fly home and return. I know good cadre relations have always enabled people to go through HK to do this, but I'm still somewhat dubious about what I am being told.
Was wondering if anyone else is aware of this? Doe this story sound consistent? Please help! not long left on my tourist visa!
Many Thanks,
CK
Callum,
It really depends on nationality. I'm not sure if you're American, but I've heard that it's harder for Americans to turn visas over in Hong Kong than elsewhere. The government put some extra restrictions on visas following the financial crisis that you might be running up against, this following other restrictions imposed after 9/11 when the US apparently started fingerprinting foreign nationals.
Regulations are unevenly enforced, so it may also be a question of where you are and what sort of guanxi your school has. I'd say that if you have a school willing to buy the plane ticket, don't worry about it and enjoy the trip home.
There's a holiday early next week, but if you need to reach us in Beijing feel free to give us a call. And if your time is running out you may want to try extending your tourist visa in-country. It is theoretically possible to turn over tourist visas for another 30 days in-country by visiting the local police station and asking. Or maybe the Entry-Exit bureau. I've never done this myself but have heard of it being done. Just tell them you're a tourist and want more time to tour the Yangzte before returning to Hong Kong.
Cheers,
--david
ckristiansen on April 6, 2011 | reply
Ok. Got it. Just another question. Once a work visa is obtained is it possible for an employer to have the visa revoked if for some reason you want to leave the company prematurely?
@ckristiansen,
Technically, but the company that sponsors you will need your passport and work permit in order to cancel the visa, and since people don't tend to give these documents to companies when they leave it doesn't practically happen.
The thing to be careful about is that in order to change employers once you are on a Z-visa, you'll need a letter from your current sponsor confirming that you've finished working for them as part of the paperwork involved in transferring to another sponsor. And then there is something like a 30-day period after you get that letter where you can legally apply to renew/extend your visa in-country. Any later and they're supposed to make you leave the country (although it really depends on connections and who is processing the paperwork).
In short, the process of changing work visas is complex and usually not worth it. So for all practical purposes if you're on a work visa but have left your employer you're good for the duration of the visa but will have to leave the country to get a new one when it expires.