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Q: Did you ever get your ABC card?
Howdy....
"When I said I was out......they pull me back in!" Silvio Dante, DOS "Bada Bing Kids English and Oyster Bar"...
Got my Residence Permit/Visa today. Things were real touch and go and didn't know if I was going to make it, but I did by the skin of my sack.
Here in Hangzhou, I never got the A-B-C talent card or even was asked a questionaire or anything about it. I thought I was going to get one, was under the impression I was going to get one, and I WANT ONE so I can take the bus and do whatever which requires a Passport ID.
So what is the deal with the cards? Who makes them? I guess I could ask if I can have one. Got a card or not?
7 years 15 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
Most companies/schools are keeping the cards. They should let you have a picture or copy of it.
It has no validity as ID. It merely proves you are entitled to work.
With regards to the FEC books. This year some provinces gave a choice, if the paperwork was processed before 15th June they could renew under the old system but next year must use the new system. If your paperwork went through after this date, then no choice, a card must be issued and the new system used.
My school transferred us all onto the new system to avoid a mess next year. We were all given class B automatically. I was allowed to keep the card but it sits in my drawer as it simply has no use for ID.
ironman510:
Wow you must work for a smart company, care the share who you are working for?
Was yours a renewal or changing jobs?
I'd heard some cities are using the old FEC/WP books for renewals and others the new system. You should ask your employer for your work permit as you're supposed to have it.
Ive just got my renewal done under the new system in Guangzhou. Not got card yet as I'm on holiday but seen a photo of it.
P.S. the new ABC cards can't be used as ID.
Got mine in June.
Apparently, with PRC being PRC, not everywhere made the change at the same time.
And yeah, it cannot be used as an ID.
I'm sure you got the card, 100%, your company keeps it, my company keeps mine, most companies will keep it, not many will let you keep it, because that's the key to your RP renewal. These cards are only good for a year online, so they need that card for online renewals and RP renewals. So I respect why they keep it, the FEC booklets are GONE. You have a card or you're illegal. But if you stayed with the same company than you won't get a card until next year. BTW there is no test for native English teachers, we are automatically a B class talent
RandomGuy:
I kept my FEC booklet when getting my card but they put holes in it, sort of a souvenir.
Most companies/schools are keeping the cards. They should let you have a picture or copy of it.
It has no validity as ID. It merely proves you are entitled to work.
With regards to the FEC books. This year some provinces gave a choice, if the paperwork was processed before 15th June they could renew under the old system but next year must use the new system. If your paperwork went through after this date, then no choice, a card must be issued and the new system used.
My school transferred us all onto the new system to avoid a mess next year. We were all given class B automatically. I was allowed to keep the card but it sits in my drawer as it simply has no use for ID.
ironman510:
Wow you must work for a smart company, care the share who you are working for?
Bumping this.
Does anyone have evidence that the new work permit card cant be used as ID
ironman510:
It can be used as an ID, I asked them directly but my HR turned and told me they were gonna keep it locked up. Which is what I actually expected after I saw first hand how it worked, I do lose things sometimes and I'm not lying when I say I rather replace a lost passport than go through the hell I went through to get that ABC card! It wasn't fun.
Hotwater:
Let me turn your question around...
You've got your new card...have YOU been able to use it as ID?
Exactly, have you tried to use it as ID?
Firstly, the number of digits on the card does not correspond with a Chinese ID card therefore is not recognised in the way they are. Try to enter it to buy train tickets and it is refused as an invalid number. It is not magnetic and therefore does not scan. The same situation would apply in hotels, banks and anywhere else where normally you would use your passport.
It may come in handy when you are exchanging money or transferring money, I haven't tried it for that yet so cannot say.
It is a replacement fair and square for the FEC booklets that we were previously issued with. The key difference is that once we have a card, the number stays the same and is transferred with us through our working time in China, the card itself does not need to be reissued, only the data on the online system.
If someone has been able to successfully use it as ID then let us know, however I am very doubtful as it simply does not confirm to the standards of Chinese ID cards whatsoever.
BlightyMatt:
Yep.
Look at a Chinese ID card. It has a numbering that is like the numbering on your passport.
On the SH > GZ CRH you can use the auto ticket machines by swiping your passport through the scanner, just like a Chinese ID.
Now look at the FEC card.....there is nothing like that.
So it is next to useless as a functional ID.
ironman510:
BTW: If you change jobs you have to surrender the card to SAFEA and get a new card, the number should be the same. And every renewal no matter if you stay at the same company will require the original documents every single year, so in more ways than one the card sucks.
