So, you’re thinking of moving out of Xi’an, huh? Whether you are moving due to a job change, looking for new opportunities, or you are just looking for a change of scenery, the process of moving is one that takes time and effort, and depending on exactly how you go about it, a headache or two. So, before you plan to make move, make sure you have your ducks in a row.
Step 1: Figure Out Your Own Situation
If you are leaving one job for another, before you even think about anything else, double-check your current contract and get as much information as you can. Verify key details such as the start and end date of your contact, and whether or not there are any stipulations in your contract on looking for other work while still in your current position. While technically companies are not allowed to prevent you from looking for other employment once you have finished your contract with them, the highly competitive nature of companies here can lead to road blocks in the process of transferring to a new company or city. Make sure that you read carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about your contract, preferably before you sign the contract to begin with. Contact a contract lawyer if necessary.
When preparing to leave, talk to your HR, but be very careful about how you phrase your intention to leave. While they are meant to help you in the process of transferring your documentation to another company, this does not necessarily mean that they will make it easy. If you need information or documentation from your HR, it’s best to make that your requests are simple and to the point. Sometimes, language barriers can be the difference between thinking you’re on the same page, and actually being on the same page. Something else to keep in mind is that it’s not your HR’s job to inform you of all the small little nuances of the contract. They will be expecting you to know your contract.
Besides this, consider also your current living situation. If you are living in an apartment provided by your company, how much time will you be given after you end your contract to vacate the apartment? If you are renting an apartment on your own, how much time do you have remaining on your current rental period and what are the penalties involved if you are required to leave earlier than expected? Often times, if there is a substantial amount of time left on your contract, you should be able to get at least part of the rent that you paid ahead of time back, though you will often forfeit your deposit in doing so. This is why it is also important to have a written rental contract when moving into an apartment.
Step 2: Know the Regulations and Procedures
Understanding the various regulations and procedures can be quite difficult sometimes, and various sources of information may, at times, seem contradictory. Usually, when it comes to transferring a work visa from one company to another, there is a person, usually the HR of the company that you are working for that is familiar with this process and can guide you through it. However, if your HR person is not as well versed in the procedures, or if they are actively being unhelpful, these processes can become complicated quickly.
A general overview of the process is as follows. Once you have decided to leave your current company, your company should apply for your current work permit to be cancelled within 10 working days of the decision, which typically should be done 30 days before the end of the work permit validity period. The processing time for the cancellation can take anywhere from 10-14 working days, though sometimes it may take longer. This process is complete, your company should issue you with a release/cancellation letter which states that you are no longer working for that company and that you are free to pursue a new job. Your employer is legally required to provide this letter to you, which should be affixed with the company seal, though some companies will fail to do so either out of confusion on the process or spite. If your company fails to provide you with this document, you should contact the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs (SAFEA) to lodge a complaint. In addition to this, companies should provide you with an official government-styled reference letter that describes your performance while working for that company, allowing for an easier process applying for your new work permit.
If you are changing to the same type of visa in the same career as you previously had, then you should be able to complete the transfer without requiring an exit from the country, although this is not guaranteed. If you are changing your visa types, then you will need to exit the country. This should be calculated into your time and expenses when considering the move.
Step 3: Arrange Your Move
Once you’ve received your documentation, you will be issued with a temporary stay visa. In normal situations, this visa will be a 30-day short stay visa, though if the company reports that you are leaving the country, they may instead issue you with a 7-day short stay visa. In the event of the latter situation, you will need to contact your new company immediately to expedite your new work visa before time runs out. Otherwise, you will need to exit the country and apply for your new visa from the outside.
To move your things, there are several options which you might consider. If you have not accumulated too many things, you can simply pack up your bags and get on a plane or train to your next location. If you have been stationary in Xi’an for a while, you might have accumulated a lot of stuff, in which case you might want to ship your items via China Post, or have a professional moving company ship your goods to your new city. If you have obtained a driver’s license, it is also possible to rent a truck and driver to your destination yourself.
Speaking of moving to your new city, if you are planning to rent your own apartment instead of staying in a company-provided place (you’re usually better off renting your own), then you will need to take some time in order to scout out a good place to live. Going through a real estate agent might speed up the process, but don’t forget that you will need to pay them a commission. Some people opt to stay in a cheap hotel before moving into a new place, but this can end up being costly. This scouting trip should also be budgeted into your moving plan.
If you’d like to offload some of that junk that you’ve piled up over the years, you can try to sell off some of your goods through local buy/sell groups on WeChat, donate clothing, books, or other materials in good condition to local charities, or simply bin the whole lot and start over.
If you follow these basic steps, then you should be able to make your transition with ease (hopefully). Keep in mind that, at the time of this writing, foreigners exiting from the country are unable to re-enter, so attempting to change to a new city may result in you becoming stuck outside the country, so keep that in mind when attempting to change cities. Do your best to keep a cordial relationship with your old employer and remain in constant contact with your new employer in order to make this process as smooth as possible.
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