We decided to add a separate section, apart from the guide's main content, called "Latest News." This is where we will present the newest regulations and latest developments affecting foreign teachers in China as well as either confirm or debunk the most recent rumors floating around various TEFL forums.
It has been confirmed that Guangdong province has, as of March 2008, implemented a barcode identification system for photos taken of foreigners for use in foreign expert certificate books (now the "blue book") as well as residency permits. Although the photos themselves are not numbered, the photo used from that photo session is associated with a barcoded receipt that the foreign expert must sign and then submit along with the photos that will then be used by the PSB. We've attached a sample of the receipt here. You can click on the image to the right to view a full-sized copy of the original document.
We cannot confirm at this time if other provinces will follow suit, but we suspect that this system may soon be adopted by other international cities where the number of foreigners is formidable.
We were able to positively confirm that the new Foreign Expert Certificate Books, as of August 2008, are now the color of dark royal blue. So if and when you change employers, what you will receive is a "blue book," not a red one.
The latest rumor spreading across expat websites, blogs, and TEFL forums, like mass hysteria, purports that foreigners born after 1983 cannot receive a Z-visa! We ran this by two different provincial foreign affairs office officials and they haven't heard a thing about it. If you otherwise meet the qualifications for a Z-visa, the fact that you are under the age of 25 is not a problem on the basis of what we were told. If we do receive additional information to the contrary, we'll post it here but, for now, don't cancel your plane reservations if you've already made them. You should take note that not one of these reports offers a citation to an authoritative source (and, by the way, that is often the best way to discern a myth from a fact when it comes to these types of rumors).
We now have it on excellent authority that as of May 2008, official letters of recommendation from former employers (i.e., whoever sponsored the teacher's current residency permit) will be required by new employers when applying to the PSB for a residency permit renewal. In addition, we were also informed by our sources that Hong Kong can no longer issue Z-visas to foreigners. What this means is that anyone currently teaching in China on anything but a current residency permit will have to return home to his or her country of origin with the proper paperwork to apply for an entry Z-visa before the new employer can have that Z-visa converted into a residency permit. See unit 27, Changing Jobs and Provinces, for more information.
*Note: The information contained in this section has been updated and is superceded by an article titled "SAFEA, Foreign Teachers, and Chinese Boxes." Guests are urged to read that article as well.
There has been a rumor circulating around various TEFL forums about a so-called "5-year rule" in which it has been alleged that foreign teachers can only remain in China for a total of five concurrent years before having to leave the country for an undisclosed period of time. Others have reported it as a "2-year" and "3-year" rule as well. The rather questionable rationale proffered for this rule is that it is implemented so that foreign teachers can be forced to return to their countries of origin for something of renewed exposure to (or a "refresher course" in) their native English dialect.This struck us as lacking face validity from the moment we read it.
In fact, we contacted high-ranking officials in two different provincial foreign affairs offices and were informed emphatically that no such law or SAFEA regulation exists: It is entirely a myth. If your FAO or school informs you that you need to leave the school because of this so-called rule, it is because they are looking to change teachers and are hoping to give you face in the process.
As one official stated with 100% certainty: "Foreigners can live in China for as long as they want with legal documents unless they have criminal records." So there you have it, directly from the horse's mouth so to speak. If you are rapidly approaching the 5-year mark in China, we strongly advise that you don't start packing quite yet unless you plan to return home of your own volition at the end of your contract. And if your employer ever does mention the "X-year rule," just start looking for another position. For as long as you are legally employed here with a valid residency permit, you will not have to leave China unless you want to.
Just to be 110% certain, we have sent an e-mail inquiry to the SAFEA, but we don't expect to receive any reply that contradicts what we've already been told by those who administer provincial foreign affairs offices.
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