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Q: Applying for Z visa as a South African if employer doesn't know how.

I started working at a new kindergarten in Hangzhou part time. I want to be full time. Because I'm on a student visa and want to apply for a Z visa. But my employers aren't very resourceful/ the foreign department has new staff and they aren't very helpful.So I want to know if I can apply for the Visa myself if I get the paperwork from the school (which by I'll ask them if i know what i must ask for) to go and apply for the Z visa. I have done my Degree and TEFL 120 in class and I have a years part time teaching in China. Should i ask for reference letters and should I go back home. Every website says something different.

6 years 19 weeks ago in  Visa & Legalities - China

 
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Shifu

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If the school don't supply the appropriate documents to you that they should for you to apply for a 'Z' visa, such as an official letter of invitation, chances are they can not legally hire a foreigner and are BSing you.

Unless things have changed you can not turn up at the Chinese embassy in your home country and be issued with a 'Z' without this invitation letter.

 

the school having 'new staff' is BS.

if they are not helping you there is a reason, and it is not good for you.

it is not up to you to do the work they should be doing unless they can't hire you legally and are just trying to get you over as an illegal worker.

 

if this school drags their feet for another week about getting this letter to you, drop them and look for another employer - one that will hire you legally.

 

Hotwater:

Invitation letters aren’t needed anymore. Only the initial work permit notification 

 

 

http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rLqtBuiXQJz0Vh4IuEU6BQ

 

 

6 years 19 weeks ago
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6 years 19 weeks ago
 
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Posts: 19790

Emperor

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The most important is 'your employer must be authorised for foreign hire' by the Gov., because if they aren't you can work for them only as part-time till you don't find an employer entitled to sponsor Z visa.

'Authorisation for foreign hire' is small cert. issued by SAFEA (I think) and it's in yellow-ish color.

You will be most likely required to return to SA and apply for Z at Chinese Embassy. At least that was a policy especially at 1st Z.

You cannot apply for Z by yourself. You need sponsor who will issue Invitation letter, which you must present in Chinese Embassy beside Working permit.

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6 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1072

Shifu

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If the school don't supply the appropriate documents to you that they should for you to apply for a 'Z' visa, such as an official letter of invitation, chances are they can not legally hire a foreigner and are BSing you.

Unless things have changed you can not turn up at the Chinese embassy in your home country and be issued with a 'Z' without this invitation letter.

 

the school having 'new staff' is BS.

if they are not helping you there is a reason, and it is not good for you.

it is not up to you to do the work they should be doing unless they can't hire you legally and are just trying to get you over as an illegal worker.

 

if this school drags their feet for another week about getting this letter to you, drop them and look for another employer - one that will hire you legally.

 

Hotwater:

Invitation letters aren’t needed anymore. Only the initial work permit notification 

 

 

http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rLqtBuiXQJz0Vh4IuEU6BQ

 

 

6 years 19 weeks ago
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6 years 19 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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Use the search bar above for ABC work permit. The info is there about requirements for getting a WP, and hence a Z. It's all about getting the government invite letter.

You will 98% probababilty have to go to your home country to get your Z visa.

Lots of info on' Redditt china visa too'. More current than the info here.

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6 years 19 weeks ago
 
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Mr OP,  getting ABC here these days reminds me of Sisyphus's tribulations.  I can only imagine what a non-native speaker from Africa working for a dodgy employer must go through trying to acquire first Z.  Good luck bro.  It's gonna be one tough slog...  

 

free tip:  if employer isn't handling it, then you basically don't have a chance.  As I, and others, have said on here many times, it's not something* you do, it's something the employer does.   

*getting all the legal employment paperwork sorted

icnif77:

Here's interesting thread about what you're saying:

 

https://community.tes.com/threads/china-not-recognizing-south-africans-as-native-english-speakers.737425/

6 years 19 weeks ago
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ScotsAlan:

Downvote from me. Sorry. South Africa is an English speaking nation. You can stick your racist 'bro' comment up your arse diverdude. I worked with a Dutch South African in the late 90s. He was full on Africaner. He was less racist than many others I have met.

6 years 19 weeks ago
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icnif77:

I can't read anything racist in dude's post! I worked with DOS from SA in 2009 at Tangshan EF who was an ex-military. I walked away with an excellent Rec. letter as my first gig in China, written by that splendid chap.

But, for reality in China see my link above.

In short, for Chinese Gov. S. Africans without degree from USA, UK, Ozz, NZ, Canada aren't considered Native English speakers/teachers .... !

6 years 19 weeks ago
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icnif77:

from the link above:

Thanks to you all for your input. I got an update from my friend. This is what she said:
'
Just letting you know that we just got some unfortunate news from the Shanghai Foreign Expert Bureau. In line with the South Region and East 2nd tier cities, they have decided that South African citizens without a Degree from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland no longer qualify as "Native Speakers", and will not be issued Foreign Expert Certificates. With typically short notice given, this policy is effective May 1st.

South African teachers currently employed will be able to renew their visa once, provided it expires before August 2016. Current teachers whose visa expires after this date will not be eligible for renewal.

We're very disappointed with this policy, but there's really nothing we can do to influence things. We will contact South African SH candidates already in the pipeline, and ask you to send all future South African candidates without a "native speaker" degree, but with 2+ years of teaching experience for Beijing positions (as far as we know, the only city where they are still visa eligible)."

So basically, it seems there is nothing for SA teachers to do other than get a degree from one of those eligible countries, even if they have a degree already. Even getting another Teacher's Cert wouldn't be sufficient because it's the 3/4 year degree that is required for the Z visa.

I feel fortunate for being Canadian, but sad news for a lot of my SA friends.

TeacherIan2015, Apr 30, 2016

6 years 19 weeks ago
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6 years 19 weeks ago
 
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Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77