Ask Headmaster Ken

Hi there,

I will finish my current contract with a school in the Sichuan Province at the end of June. I have been offered a job just outside of Beijing for the next semester. I wish to know my best course of action for transferring the residency permit and Z-visa.

My current school has indicated they will assist me as best they can. Do I need the prospective employer to cooperate with my current employer? Should I seek the help from the local police security office?

Thanks from Steve.

Hello Steve,

You need to have your new school contact your current school and arrange a transfer of your foreign residency permit so there is no gap. As there are regional differences in requirements, it is best just to let the new school coordinate whatever they need with the old school, e.g., copy of foreign expert certificate, letter of release, recommendation, etc.

It usually takes only a few days. You'll probably need to send your passport to the new employer for processing.

Cheers.

Thanks for your info. I will follow through with this info. Sometimes the schools and or service providers have many misunderstandings. But that's China right hehe.

Yes, it is not uncommon to find what is absolutely required at one location is not at all required at another location.

The key is to remain calm, be persistent and focus on the end goal.

Hi once again,

I have signed a contract with a school in Beijing for a job that commences on the 1st of September. My contract with the current school ends on the 30th of June.

The Beijing school is coordinating this move with the current school. I have a window of 62 days between contracts. Do I have to leave the country and get new visa or is there a way I can stay in China whilst waiting to commence my new job???

Thanks,

Steve
Xie Xie

Hi Steve,

When does your current residency permit expire? If it expires prior to September 5th (allowing the new FAO some time to renew it for you), then you need to ask your current school to extend the residency permit for three more months. Worst case scenario is that you will have to pay for it.

This renewal will carry you well into September and you won't have to leave the country.

My current school will do nothing to assist the foreign teachers. This current school has told the 3 foreign teachers we will finish teaching on May 31st and they will pay us out till June 30th.

The local police have told me that if I don't receive a new contract with the current school, the permit will expire on the 30th of June as dated in my passport and foreign expert certificate. They treat us with pure contempt and disrespect at this school.

All I can do is ask?

You have three options here and three options alone.

First, your current employer decides to help you by issuing a new three-month visa.

Second, the new employer finds some way of renewing your residency permit prior to the start date of your new contract (much more difficult but possible in China).

Third, you leave China, return to your native country, and return to China in August with a new Z-visa.

There is no legal fourth choice. I wouldn't risk downgrading to a tourist visa. It can blow up in your face.

You need to start speaking with both the current and new employers now to see what each is willing or able to do for you. If neither employer comes through, you are looking at option number three.

Welcome to China.

Thanks once again. I think option 3 will be the likely outcome.
Nothing is what it seems and nothing is so simple.