Job Discussion Forums

zaser45 · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 31

Hi there,

I was curious about working in Shenzhen. Is it easy to get a job there? From my impression so far it seems its tough to get a job there. Is there to much competition? Not enough jobs? What is the deal there?

Also, I see that some schools don't help with the Z-visa. What is the procedure to get this by yourself? How much are the costs?

Thanks all.

Lobster · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:59 pm Post subject:

You can't get a Z visa/RP by yourself. It has to indicate a work unit. No employer, no work unit, no Z Visa/Residence Permit.

RED

echidna_of_doom · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:19 pm Post subject:

I posted my resume on ShenzhenParty.com in early August and got tons of job offers. There are plenty of jobs, especially kindergarten jobs.

If employers can't get you a visa, there are two possibilities. To work at many schools you need a teaching certificate (a tefl certification will do) and two years of experience after you get your certification. This is especially true at the international/bilingual schools the education bureau happens to like. I was offered a job at a respected international school twice and had to turn it down both times because even though I had +2 years of experience it was not after my tefl certification. They also didn't like that my tefl class was taught in Beijing, rather than in an international location, "such as Hong Kong or Shanghai". So if they find you unqualified, then then probably can't do it.

If you are qualified and they say they can't give you a visa it is probably because they expect you to work illegally so they can be lazy. I wouldn't recommend it, but many ESL teachers in Shenzhen work illegally, because they can run to Hong Kong and get a new tourist visa overnight.

knight4ever · Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Posts: 49 Location: Shenzhen

Lobster is right. You cannot get a Z visa on your own. There are plenty of schools here in Shenzhen and your school must obtain the Z visa for you.

What kind of school are you looking for? Kindergarten, language mill, high school?

zaser45 · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 31

I guess I was maybe wanting a private institution. But not ruling out children or the high school level, or even the college. Is it easy to get around the city? The transportation still perplexes me even though they say the metro is easy to use.

Gtomas · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 100

I live in China now. I accepted a job in Shenzhen, signed and e-mailed the contract, etc.

Today they e-mailed me saying they could get me a Z visa or an F visa, but a Z visa would require me to go back to America first.

Is this true?

They said an F visa would be fine, and they would even pay for the trip to Hong Kong. But if I want a Z visa, I would need to pay the expense of traveling to America. Obviously a trip to America to get a visa isn't an option.

Is the school lying? Is it OK to work on an F visa?

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Gtomas · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 100

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

It is definitely breaking the law. Enforcement is patchy but it does happen, people do get chucked out of the country.

You should go to your home country to get your visa. If that isn't possible that's very unfortunate. You should probably reconsider your circumstances.

I would advise against breaking the law in a foreign country, but maybe that's just me.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

Gtomas · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 100