Job Discussion Forums

davidchu79 · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 12

Hi,
I'm lookin to go to Beijing to teach this October, and it's looking more likely, due to timing, that I'm going get a tourist visa and try and find one out there, which I've heard you can do.
I'm a little worried about the visa situation though, with some of the horror stories I've heard about (no pay, deportation etc).
Is it very difficult to get a working visa when you arrive on a tourist visa?
What are the working conditions like working on a tourist visa?

Is there a big difference in wages offered?
Do you get paid reguarly?
Do you get paid holiday?
Free accomodation?
Return flights?

If not, why would you ever work on a tourist visa???!

I am 28, with a degree and a CELTA qualifaction, but haven't taught since I did the course 3 years ago. I know I can be a good english teacher, but I've already been knocked back from English First due to my inexperience so I'm thinking I might just lie about my teacher experience.
Is this a terrible idea?

Any advice or experiences shared on working visa would be really appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

u24tc · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 125 Location: Dalian, China

You can't work on a tourist visa....full Stop... it is illegal.

What you can do is come with a tourist visa and get your employer - once you have found one - to change it to a working visa BEFORE you start working there.

Lie if you want however, proof may be required from them. Otherwise, your performance can tell whether or not you are telling the truth.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Dave,

With a degree and CELTA, you can do much, much better than working at a language training centre (and EF for that matter).

davidchu79 · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 12

Thanks TW,

But where would be better than a languge training centre?
I'd like to teach adults, just because it is less students, more flexible lessons, and hopefully better hours and better pay. Is this an unrealistic impression with language training centres?

What other places to you recommend? Also I'd probably be going in early October, and I'd imagine the only decent jobs left would be in Language Training centres.
Is this about right too?

Cheers
Dave

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

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

Consider getting knocked back from EF as fortunate. I don't think they rejected you because of lack of experience, my good guess is because you don't look foreign enough.

With converting tourist visa to residence permit, some provinces allow it while others will make you take a trip to Hong Kong to change over.

davidchu79 · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 12

Thanks therock,
Well they actually turned me down over the phone...could have been my name that gave it away, but I doubt it.
They actually said that for Beijing the regulations were much stricter than anywhere else in China. That you had to be over 27 AND had to have at least 9 months experience teaching for them to be able to get the working visa for me.
I was disappointed that I gave them my real name, and that I couldn't call back saying I did have the experience just so I qualified for a working visa.
Is there any other companies that offer simliar employment terms to EF? Ie all year positions, and available jobs in October as I don't think I'm going to be out there until then?

Cheers
Dave

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC