Job Discussion Forums

[dogUNLEASHED]

What are the typical start up costs for an American to work in China?

These are my figures so far:

Chest x-ray = 1500 RMB
EKG = 6700 RMB
Other medical tests = 700 RMB
Airfare to China = 7700 RMB

Plus, I've read where people who get a stipend for an apartment have to pay a deposit plus three months rent. Let's say 8000 RMB.

Total = 24,600 RMB not counting other miscellaneous expenses.

Are my figures correct?

[7969]

[choudoufu]

[keeperofpythons]

[chinatimes]

[Zimmer]

Also, depending on where you live, an internet account, about 800 - 1000 RMB. You'll probably be needing a cellphone too.

Whenever I've moved, I've found setting up a new apartment to be expensive even when I take things from my last apartment with me.

[chinatimes]

[Denim-Maniac]

That's scary, is it really so much?

I cant speak as an American (Im British) but going to China in September last year didnt cost me nearly as much. Is the medical at home really required? I didnt have to do it to get a Z visa issued in London last year.

My costs were as follows -

Z Visa in London - 800 RMB
Flights London>KL. KL>Guilin - 5200 RMB
Start-up cash - 5000 RMB

I probably could have managed on less start-up money TBH.

[therock]

[L00kingforwork]

A question about the medical exam.

Is the chest X-Ray a must for them to process the visa. In Canada, I might have some difficulty getting an X-Ray done unless there is a real medical reason.

[dogUNLEASHED]

Thanks for the answers, guys. The school is in Tianjin and pays 10,000 with a 1500 stipend for an apartment. The boss of the school wants me to get the medical tests done here and e-mailed me a form. I'll call clinics on Monday morning to find the lowest prices and let the boss of the school know what those costs are. If they're as high as I'm expecting, I hope I can at least wait and get the EKG done in China.

To answer chinatimes, I was putting the figures in RMB because it's the currency all people who have taught in China are universally familiar with. If people from South Africa quote things in rand or New Zealanders quote prices in New Zealand dollars, it forces most people to have to go to a currency conversion website.

[rdobbs98]

Add in also that provided accommodation is not free either. I have not been in China yet, but every contract sent to me, even with so called "free accommodation" is not free. You still pay a monthly rent and utilities to the school. To me that is not "free" and shouldn't be advertised as such, just as when they say the salary is 22,000 RMB and you find out it is up to 22,000 RMB but they are considering a "perfect storm" if you get all bonuses and reimbursements, not quite honest.

[Ariadne]

If the school says it provides accommodations, then there should NOT be a fee for 'rent'. There may well be some utility charges, although many schools pick those up too. I pay for electric and a flat fee for water every month. The school pays for internet and the landline phone. Each school is slightly different regarding what they do/don't pay, but if you live in school provided apartments there should be no rent.

.

[rdobbs98]

Well the contracts I have gotten and turned down, with provided housing, stated a fee monthly and payments for utilities, some had all the utilities, some had just internet and telephone. So not "free" housing then.

Also the restrictions that were placed on the "free" housing.

"Party B must not keep anyone for the night in the apartment provided by Party A ， nor must he/she lend the apartment to anyone else. In living in the apartment, using the electrical appliances and electronic devices or other home appliances in the apartment, Party B should follow the safety rules concerned to the letter. Party B will be responsible for any losses caused by this."

"For the sake of Party B�s safety, Party B must return to his apartment provided by Party A before 11 p.m. if Party B goes out. Party B must get permission from Party A if Party B intends to stay outside the campus for the night. If Party B expects to have visitors, appointments between Party B and the visitors should be made in advance to make sure that Party B will come to the gate to pick up the visitors at their appointed time. Party B�s visitors are expected to show ID card to the guard, register at the school gate, and wait for Party B at the gate until Party B comes to the gate to pick them up. The visitors might be refused to enter the campus if the visitors fail to show ID card, register, or if Party B does not come to pick up the visitors at the gate. No visitors are admitted after 11 p.m."

[chinatimes]