Job Discussion Forums

jimthirks · Joined: 01 Jan 2015 Posts: 1

Hi, I have been trying to find information regarding the legal requirements and qualifications needed to teach in China in 2015.
Consensus seems to be that a degree is required but then I see on the China job board here many adds stating that no degree is necessary and visas can be arranged.
Are these scams? If so why don't the moderators take them down?
Thanks, I really want clarification on this topic

likwid_777 · Joined: 04 Nov 2012 Posts: 411 Location: NA

It seems that the employer will either arrange some fake certificates for you in these types of cases, or just pay off the relevant authorities. That is if the employer even tries to fraudulently get you a Z (work) visa. In many of these cases, they will tell you to go over on a tourist visa, and that they will later change it over (to a Z work visa).

The short answer is that these are all dodgy ways of doing things, and I would in no way recommend to go over to China (to work) on a tourist visa. I went over on a tourist visa with the promise of a work visa and it was BS. I had to leave as a result of being caught (working on a visa which was NOT a Z visa). Had I have had the proper credentials at the time, who knows, maybe the employer would have gotten me a Z visa prior to my departure (which is the proper way).

1. Arrange Z visa in home country

2. Get it pasted nice and neatly in your passport by your local embassy or consulate

3. Go over and work in the blissful knowledge that your tenure is legitimate

4. Don't end up being booted out of China like I did, wondering if you can ever return to that place which fascinates you so

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Don't forget to get your Z visa converted into a residence permit shortly after you arrive.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Some of the requirements are fuzzy at the edges and in a hard-to-staff region you may find the degree thing is a 'nice-to-have' but not a deal breaker.
The two non-negotiables from the FT viewpoint would be:
1. School is legally able to hire foreigners.
2. You enter China on a Z which the school commits to upgrade to a residence permit within a few weeks of arrival.

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

OP:

Why not just apply to several schools and then find out what they require?

Join some job forums. Do a lot of reading. Do some homework.

If a school tells you to come over on a tourist visa, decline. You'll probably have a lot of problems converting it to a work visa.

mysterytrain · Joined: 23 Mar 2014 Posts: 366

I guess the first and most important question with regard to the degree is whether proof of it is required by either or both of: the provincial government in China and the embassy or consulate that will issue (or not issue) your "Z" visa.

Unfortunately I don't know the answer to that. I had a degree, so it wasn't a problem for me. Also ... I did come to China on an "L" (tourist) visa originally (although with an employment agreement and mutual intention of working), but in my case it worked out well enough (my school got my "L" converted to an "F" or business visa, and from there got my FEC and residence permit (though the succession of visa stickers in my passport did raise an eyebrow or two more recently when I applied again for a tourist visa).

Still, there is definite risk involved in the above (for both the employee and employer) and I definitely do not recommend any other process than getting a "Z" visa in your passport before entering China, and I certainly intend to do the same before taking another job there (probably later this year).