Job Discussion Forums

[brianreis]

I've gotten mixed messages on whether a 61 y.o. teacher such as myself would have problems getting a work permit in China. An internet post said that a university can get an "Expert" status to teach English from the government to deal with any age caps. Anyone heard differently? Thanks.

Brian.

[NoBillyNO]

becoming an issue in Beijing

[choudoufu]

sometimes it's an issue because they can't get insurance coverage
under the standard picc program.

get your own ex-pat policy. tell 'em you'll provide them with proof
of insurance.

[NoBillyNO]

It is more about the uni willingly accepting responsibility and sending a letter as to stating a willingness and a absolute need for a program or business. I have had no insurance at all for 9 years, and that hasn't been a factor....

[johntpartee]

I'll be 61 (tomorrow, in fact) and was offered a renewal by the FAO last week. Don't know about new hires, but as with everything else in China it depends on the school and who they know. I've also thought about whether of not it would work to tell a school that you will provide your own insurance; I'm not sure if it's part of the RP process or not.

[NoBillyNO]

[choudoufu]

welcome to china.....where laws are suggestions.

i think officially:

the mandatory retirement age in china is 60 for men, 55 for women.
(unless it's not enforced.)
no work permits are issued over 65.
(unless they are issued.)
no z-visas for regular workers (non-ceo types) over 60.
(unless they are granted.)
safea says no foreigners over 60 "should" get a work permit.
(unless the school asks nicely.)
insurance is absolutely essential for foreign workers.
(unless it's not required.)


even if we know the law, we don't 'know' the law.
i guarantee that for any rule or regulation or policy that anyone
on this board can locate, someone will know somebody that
had a different experience.

ferzample, i know a guy who couldn't get a residence permit renewal
because he was over 60....the school could no longer get insurance.
now i know somebody who's worked here legally for 9 freakin' years
without health/accident insurance. i buy my own ex-pat insurance.
in order to renew the RP, i must provide proof of insurance to the
PSB in haikou.

any wonder why OP is getting mixed massages?

[Mr. Leafy]

The local office recently told our FAO they would issue Work Permit up to age 60 and Foreign Expert Cert up to age 65.
That's new ones, I think renewals can be pushed a bit.

[Bud Powell]

I know a guy who got a job in Hangzhou at age seventy! I got an email from him. His IP traces back to Hangzhou.

It's hard to believe, but as they say, "This is China."

[ymmv]

[JoeKing]

[Bud Powell]

[The_Kong]

Your problem may be 2-fold.

1. Employers may be uncertain as to the current regulations in their jurisdiction (things change constantly and as others have pointed out rules/regulations are not always applied and when they are they are not always applied equally).

2, Employers may not be willing to take the risk because of health concerns. In my experience anyone over a certain age is treated with a bit of hesitation before hiring, in the West and especially in China. Maybe taking a proactive step and including a copy of a completed physical (perhaps even the Medical Exam for Foreigners standardized form) would go a long way to showing your not in failing health. If employers are more certain your not going to have a heart attack or break a hip while working for them, they'll be a lot more likely to hire you.