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Q: Change of passport, what are the consequences?
Hi everybody,
I need to ask for your experience on the following matter. I got a teaching contract with a government school a few weeks ago. My Work permit and letter of invitation through SAFEA are registered with my actual passport number. However, it comes out that I have to change it and get a new one due to the deterioration of the document. No options are given at all and so I am asked to get a new passport. That means that I should reapply for the Work Permit and wait for the Letter of Invitation another two months from now on. Definitely such long delay may jeopardize my opportunity working as a teacher at that school.
After a long discussion with my employer over this matter we come to the conclusion that the short time left until the beginning of the school, it provides me with very few solutions. One of the them is to simply go to the Embassy of China and explain them the situation. Hopes would be that the Embassy would grant me the Working Visa on the new passport as long as they can see and check the old one.
Would that be possible? Has anyone experienced such situation? What other best ways would you suggest in order for me to ensure my place that I hardly found it and I don't want to lose it.
Any replying is very much appreciated beforehands.
8 years 39 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
I never had any employment issues on the matter, but having gotten a new passport, since everything, mobile no, bank account, drivers license etc is tied to my old passport, I had my embassy issue a document that states the person with passport number A is the same as the person with passport number B. I had this notarized and have never had any issues.
My visa for China is based on my marriage certificate which has the old passport number, has been renewed several times since.
I never had any employment issues on the matter, but having gotten a new passport, since everything, mobile no, bank account, drivers license etc is tied to my old passport, I had my embassy issue a document that states the person with passport number A is the same as the person with passport number B. I had this notarized and have never had any issues.
My visa for China is based on my marriage certificate which has the old passport number, has been renewed several times since.
I changed my passport last year while in China, and I carry both with me. I opened BOC account with old passport, and few months ago I wanted to set-up an online payment on my bank account.
Bank official: 'It's not possible to set-up an online payment/money transfer, because bank account was opened with different passport no.'
Next time, I brought my clipped/old passport to the bank, and then new 'problem' appeared: 'Why do you have two passports?', and so on.
I'll have to close my BOC, and reopen new one with new passport to make changes to my account. I don't have problems with ID check at the bank, except I'm unable to make any changes to my existing account, despite I have an old passport handy.
In my opinion, you'll need to reapply for the same documents at SAFEA with your new passport. It's a battle in front of you, to convince Chinese new passport no. doesn't matter (in West).
I've just renewed my UK passport as the old one was getting full and I need a new Z visa then resident permit soon (Needing a new Z visa is a long story!)
Anyway.....at present I'm carrying two passports. New visa applications will, for me, include both and new visas will go into new passport.
Reading your post, your next step is to apply for the Z visa. Apply for it and take both passports. They should be able to issue your Z visa in the new one. After you get to China your actual work permit and resident visa will be able to be issued based on your new passport (what you refer to as work permit is the first part that is actually the alien employment Licence that is issued to the school to say they can employ you. You get your FEC/alien employment permit after you enter china on the Z visa)
Hope it works out okay.
PulSartre:
Hi Hotwater,
Thank you very much for the input on this issue. I gathered some courage after reading it and I will let you know if that works out indeed. I hope it does because I want so much to keep that opportunity. It makes that they grant me the visa as long as I bring both of the documents, old and new one, because it is only a transitional step in the process of getting the Work Permit after I go to China.
Tomorrow I will come with news.
Thanks again,
Hi everyone,
As I said, I will come back with the resolution regarding the passport change and Visa application.
Hotwater, thank you very much for the courage you gave me through your replying. It's been indeed very helpful. I spoke to the officer at the Embassy of China and he asked me to bring a copy of the old passport along with the new passport and the Invitation Letter. A few days later I returned with the docs as required and been told to proceed to the payment of the Visa fees, a one single entry, valid for 3 months. Once paid, today I was able to see the Visa in my new passport.
What a wonderful solution. So thanks a lot again.
sorrel:
thanks for giving us all a solution/outcome.
so often we don't hear how things work out.
good luck with everything 
PulSartre:
Sorrel, you're welcome! It's been a relief seeing the Visa in my passport. I hope all efforts will be for a good outcome.
