Ask Headmaster Ken

Hi Ken,

I have left my job at a university in another province in what was a "midnight run".

I would like to know:

1) If my resident permit allows me to stay in this province until it expires in July 2010.

2) Would I have any problems at the airport if I leave within 30 days?

3) Can I get a new job in this new province?

4) Can I go to an agent and transfer my Z-visa/residency permit to a business visa?

I am a little nervous at the moment, because my friend is currently in detention for ten days for overstaying his visa.

Thanks.

I have left my job at a university in another province in what was a "midnight run".

I would like to know:

1) If my resident permit allows me to stay in this province until it expires in July 2010.

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Under normal circumstances, yes. However, that depends upon what your employer chooses to do about it. Doing a midnight run places you in a position of unknown jeopardy. That is why we always encourage attempting negotiating an exit rather than simply bolting.

You should have relinquished you FRP in exchange for an L visa. Or, had your FRP transferred to your new employer.

Choosing to stay in the same province can carry risks. If your employer learns you are teaching on his FRP within the province, he can have the PSB arrange changing that to a three day exit visa.


2) Would I have any problems at the airport if I leave within 30 days?

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There is no 30 day grace period on expired FRPs. That is a myth. In your case, your FRP is not expired, so you should have no problems unless you have a criminal or civil complaint lodged against you.

I don't know the circumstances of your leaving. There is doing a midnight run and then there is doing a midnight run carrying off the silver and burning down the school on the way out the door.

So, in large part, it depends on the circumstances of your leaving, as that will likely indicate your employer's response.


3) Can I get a new job in this new province?

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That might be a problem. You will be in the database as a current employee of another school. That will raise questions that will need to be answered.

You should be required to present a Release Letter and Letter of Reference from your previous employer. Not having those may be a barrier. Also, if your prospective employer,or the PSB, or government education office contacts your current employer, what kind of reference is given may decide things.

You can still make your case, but it makes it hard to make when you have pulled a runner. Many employers will believe the best indicator of future performance is past performance.

4) Can I go to an agent and transfer my Z-visa/residency permit to a business visa?

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I don't know that answer. On the face of it, there seems no reason why not. But, whether the authorities have some flag in their database is an open question, (although I think it is unlikely under most circumstances).

Without knowing the circumstances of your departure, it is hard to say what might happen. In most cases, the employer either doesn't really care, or care enough to pursue an FT who did a runner. On the other hand, I have seen employers go ballistic and FTs given three day exit visas when they applied to other employers within the province. In the latter case, the FTs did more than simply pull a runner. They hurt (in the employer's mind) the school by engaging in activities not to belabored here.

Noted thank you.

I contacted a local expatriate visa service and they advised that I could stay until my current FRP expires.

I am just worried about registering at the police station, here. Would they ask why are you registering if your foreign residency permit is for Shanghai?

Thanks again.

You will need to register at the local police station relative to your residence. Most are rather small and cover a relatively confined area of operations.

In my experience, they will have perhaps one person who is trained/equipped to handle foreign registration. I haven't met any who speak English. You will need someone to translate for you.

Their main focus is registering your residence. Sometimes, this requires you bring your landlord and a copy of your contract.

I have never had any questions asked regarding employment. This is not to say it couldn't happen, but it seems unlikely.

In sum, they don't deal with the employment part of your situation so it ought be no worries other than an overly curious clerk.