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Q: So what happens after you put down your papers?
I am not a teacher, I work in an engineering company...
I am wondering what happens after you resign? when does the employer take the passport to change the Visa? and how long does it take? when do you get the necessary papers?
I am asking because I may have to book the flight ticket next day after my last working day (couple of weeks from now) but nobody has asked me for anything yet. Do you think it's safe or should I postpone the date?
Anything else I should be careful/worried about? I have done everything legit and wanna keep it that way...
8 years 21 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - Suzhou
I've not resigned, but end of contract, no-one has ever taken my passport!
icnif77:
It's prohibited to give your passport to anybody (exception 'to Police at arrest').
I believe that rule (passport must be in your possession all the time) is written inside any passport.
Shining_brow:
No, not true. There are really obvious times when you NEED to give your passport to someone else - like when you apply for a visa!!! You can also give your passport to a friend or relative, or to a travel agent...
icnif77:
It might be my rule then. Had troubles with passport retrieval in my early China days. Had F visa, and employer refused to return my book.
I asked my Embassy for help, and they told me I shouldn't give my passport to anybody.
After that, I don't bend. I give my book only to PSB.
Shining_brow:
Could be your country as well...!
Although, as a general rule of thumb - yeah, don't give your passport to other people. And, as you know, in China, you're required to have your passport with you at all times.
ScotsAlan:
Your passport does not belong to you. It belongs to the state that issued it.
Karma101:
that's the thing, I still have few months before the contract ends...
You should probably ask your company since it sounds like you haven't done so yet.
I've not resigned, but end of contract, no-one has ever taken my passport!
icnif77:
It's prohibited to give your passport to anybody (exception 'to Police at arrest').
I believe that rule (passport must be in your possession all the time) is written inside any passport.
Shining_brow:
No, not true. There are really obvious times when you NEED to give your passport to someone else - like when you apply for a visa!!! You can also give your passport to a friend or relative, or to a travel agent...
icnif77:
It might be my rule then. Had troubles with passport retrieval in my early China days. Had F visa, and employer refused to return my book.
I asked my Embassy for help, and they told me I shouldn't give my passport to anybody.
After that, I don't bend. I give my book only to PSB.
Shining_brow:
Could be your country as well...!
Although, as a general rule of thumb - yeah, don't give your passport to other people. And, as you know, in China, you're required to have your passport with you at all times.
ScotsAlan:
Your passport does not belong to you. It belongs to the state that issued it.
Karma101:
that's the thing, I still have few months before the contract ends...
If you are planning on leaving China shortly after your last working day, your RP should still be valid and therefore there is no reason for you to surrender your passport for any reason.
Check the date of expiration on your RP and you are ok if you leave within this date.
If for some reason you are planning to stay for a time beyond the expiration of your RP, you may need to go to your local Police station to get a temporary visa extension until your departure date.
icnif77:
At RP expiration, 30-days RP extension (or L visa) is mandatory by Chinese law.
icnif77:
Make somebody ask me 'Where are you from?' on the other thread. 
I want to tell truth!
Karma101:
my RP is valid till sometime in 2016, but I need to leave well before the RP expiry date... does that change anything? Now I have to give my passport to them so they change the Z to L... isn't it?
icnif77:
30 days, either as S2 (at cancellation of RP) or L or RP extension (at completion of Contract/RP expiration).
If you plan on ever working in China again then you must ensure the company cancels your current work permit and gives you the cancellation receipt. They must also give you a release letter.
There isn't a need for the company to take your passport and cancel your RP. Do you plan to leave China before your RP expires and not come back? Then you don't need to do anything.
What sort of engineering do you do?
I ask because there is a very slim chance I know of companies that have a licence to employ foreigners with certain skills.
Karma101:
Automation... I am in project management, so I don't really need to get involved in the engineering part of the business. I have an experience of managing projects related to this industry...
Sorry, Probably I wasn't clear... my RP expires next year. I have to leave with few months left on my contract. But yeah I may want to come back in future...
I had a discussion with my boss and he accepted the resignation, I guess if company accepted the resignation then there should be no problem... right?
The FEC is with the company, they kept it with them all the time... i am wondering, when I leave the company they will have to change the visa on passport from Z to L (for this they need the passport) and cancel the FEC?
Normally, how long does the process take? I haven't asked the company yet, because, well... nobody speaks English in HR and my boss is a little upset with the whole resignation scenario... I had a designated translator but she left few days ago 
. so I am not sure where to look or what to do?
As I see very quick, you'll need to 'bite ur arse', and call SAFEA for help and advice, because
1st I don't really know, how are things done with valid RP once Contract is broken,
2nd you're unable to clear matters with your employer, because of the language barrier.
You'll find out that (m)any FEB office from our link you'll call, there's Chinese officer with fluent English on the other band.
I did the same thing twice, in Liaoning (2012), and my RP stayed intact. I continued working with the same RP in Xinjiang, after visit to PSB
Last year in Fujian, School demanded cancelation of RP. I got 30-days S2 visa. I was also in contact with SAFEA officer, who told me 'RP must be canceled'.
I'm not sure, if that's Provincial thingy or Chinese law might changed.
Instead clicking SAFEA's web link here, you can also visit local SAFEA. It is the same office, where you got your FEC.
You must be present at two Gov. offices, before you start to work to get FEC and RP: (local) SAFEA and PSB (Exit Entry police).
If you'll cancel RP, it will take less than a week to get passport back from PSB with new 30-days visa, which will start on the day you'll give passport to cops.
icnif77:
If you want to return to China, you'll need Release letter and FEC Cancellation Certificate from your present job, so your new employer will be able to get Working permit and IL for new Z.
That's requirement for FT, and I'm not sure if it holds for other professions too.
Ask about it at FEB.
