When deciding if you want to get a visa through an agent or through your employer, you really just need to ask yourself one question: do I want a real job, or do I want a sort of-not-really job. Do I want a full time, secure job at a reputable company for more than 6 months, or do I want to be independent and only work when I don’t want to travel on the weekends.

Photo: drs2biz

You see, “real jobs” (salary, air-fare reimbursement, even health insurance and paid vacations) are only given to those with a Z visa. And Z visas are only given through an employer. This is because the purpose of the Z visa is to make sure employers are paying necessary taxes on the foreigner’s salaries. Because of this, most schools only employ those with a Z visa. Even if you came to China on an F visa, if you sign a yearlong contract they will usually demand you go through the process to change it to a Z. This way, you are officially on the books and they cannot be slapped with a fine. It’s like you’re a real employee.

If they fire you, or you quit for any reason, they can indeed cancel your visa. In fact, they should. You are no longer working for them, and that was the sole purpose of the visa anyway.

But what do you do if you want a steady, full time job, but don’t want to commit for the year? If you don’t end up liking the job and you quit, the school can cancel your visa and your entire trip to China could be cut short.

One thing to do is talk to your employer about your concerns. Tell your boss you want a grace period to see if you like the job before they file for your Z visa. If you like working there, you’ll agree to change your visa to a Z, if you don’t like it you can leave, and they have no documents to lord over your head. Most schools are willing to negotiate on little details like this, because the qualified foreigner that actually wants to commit for a year is hard to find. If you’re already in a bind at work and looking to get out, find a new job willing to give you a new Z visa before you quit. Iif you quit, your first place of work may not give you something known as a “work release form,” which is basically a piece of paper that says you are no longer working for them and you are free to work elsewhere. If you don’t have this form, it could be difficult to find a company to hire you without one.

According to Chinese law, a Z visa is supposed to only be given to those with a college degree. This is why so many schools put a 4 year degree down as a requirement on job postings. It’s not that being a college graduate makes you a better teacher; it’s that they have to jump through hoops to try and get your work permit if you aren’t one.

Now, this is not to say that one cannot find a good job without a Z visa. In fact, there are plenty of small companies who will only hire foreigners with their own visas, whether it be an L or an F. This is because they are not licensed to hire foreigners, and cannot issue visas of their own. These are usually the language schools that pop up around universities. They hire the foreign students on their student visas for part time work. These companies pay “under the table,” handing the students a sweaty wad of cash every payday, without any paperwork to show for it because they’re not really supposed to be hiring them.

It is in fact, a beautiful symbiotic relationship. The school needs any foreigner lying around to teach a few nights a week, and the student needs some RMB to take the sleeper train to Guilin. The student gets his disposable income, and the school gets its disposable teacher.

Now, certainly not all schools are like this. And many do offer a great teaching experience without the commitment. It’s just that if you want something long term, you will eventually have to say “I do” and issue your visa through your employer. Any other way would be illegitimate.
 

Related Links
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