play14u Posted July 14, 2006 at 07:54 PM Report Posted July 14, 2006 at 07:54 PM Hello everyone. My name is D. I recently graduated from college, and was wanting to move to Shanghai (or Beijing) to live there for a few months (maybe longer?). I saw the visa things, and getting an L visa or tourist visa is not long enough for me. I haven't been able to land a job either, so getting a Z visa isn't working because I'd need an invitational letter. I was hoping that I could move there and look for a job or an internship. Anyway, I'm really serious about moving there, but I just don't know how to do it. My mandarin is quite poor as I've just started learning, but of course, I want to learn more and more. Any help or input would be nice. Please help me! Thank you. D (from the U.S.) Quote
Xiao Kui Posted July 15, 2006 at 03:28 AM Report Posted July 15, 2006 at 03:28 AM If L visa is not long enough for you you can still get an L visa and easily change it to a student X visa, which can be for 6 months or a year. (L visas can be changed easily to X visas but not to Z working visas) Check with the school to make sure they can change your L to and X, but it's pretty common. One university even told me they never issue X visas overseas, they only change L visas to X visas once the student has arrived in China. (and I changed that way twice with them so I know it's legit) Studying Chinese would be a great introduction to China. The main drawback is that you usually cannot work legally with an X visa and it may be difficult to get it changed to a Z visa. However many people who have X visas do work. A funny thing is once the provincial gov't contacted me through the Chinese university where I was studying to offer me a job? They said it wasn't really a job because they would be paying me in food, housing, and expensive trips to tourist places and resorts! (and I think there was some money involved too, but not salary - I didn't accept the offer so I never found out) Ahhh, the system.. If you are still interested in getting a Z visa I would encourage you not to give up. There is definitely a demand for teachers. If you email a school and they don't get in touch with you give them a call and email them again. I eventually was hired by 2 different schools when I contacted them the 2nd time, because the first time they had not received my email. Also contacting a school a 2nd time shows them you are really interested - I don't see how it could hurt. Are you trying private schools, English training centers (buxi ban) and universities? Have you thought abt kindergarten? Also if you are unable to find work in Shanghai or Beijing, be open to other possible cities. There are a lot of great cities in China - they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Quote
roddy Posted July 15, 2006 at 03:40 AM Report Posted July 15, 2006 at 03:40 AM Sounds like you would be best off enrolling in a short term Chinese course to get a feel for the country and figure out if you actually want to stay here longer term. The chances of getting any meaningful work for only a few months are slim. Quote
play14u Posted July 16, 2006 at 05:44 PM Author Report Posted July 16, 2006 at 05:44 PM thanks for the great information xiao kui! i'll try contacting employers a 2nd time to see if they're interested in me at all, hahah. but no, i haven't tried any specific schools as i don't really know where to look for them. the only schools i've contacted are from expat web sites looking for english teachers, but i'm not sure of the credentials of some of these schools. but i'm almost 100% sure i want to live in china for at least a year now, just so i can pick up the language somewhat. if i can't find a job and get a Z visa, i guess i can settle for an L visa and switch it to an X visa once i find a school I like... but that just means I have to shell out a few hundred dollars or thousands to enroll in these schools. do modeling agencies offer help with Z visas?? i was offered a shoot, but dunno how far that'll get me, hahah Quote
Xiao Kui Posted July 16, 2006 at 08:08 PM Report Posted July 16, 2006 at 08:08 PM I think you can expect tuition to be high in Shanghai and Beijing,tho' i don't know what the figures are. In western China it would be btwn $500-1000 US a semester. That's in a university, of course intensive program and big name programs are more. You can look for jobs at these websites: www.eslcafe.com www.eslteachersboard.com www.marksesl.com www.buxiban.com www.chinatefl.com If you get an offer, try to research the school and ask for contact info from other foreign teachers that have worked there: there are good and bad schools, ones that keep their promises and others that try to take advantage of you. wish you the best! Quote
gato Posted July 17, 2006 at 08:43 AM Report Posted July 17, 2006 at 08:43 AM do modeling agencies offer help with Z visas?? i was offered a shoot, but dunno how far that'll get me What kind of modeling? Quote
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