Job Discussion Forums

[ragazzo gallese]

Hi all,

I'm a qualified EFL teacher working my first year in Italy, but I'd really like to move to China in September, particularly Guangzhou, where I have travelled, and where I have a few good friends.

Wall Street advertised for GZ (amongst other places) in an advert on the TEFL website. They were asking for one year's experience with CELTA (which I have). I duly emailed them, but was v. disappointed to get an email back saying that for GZ the Chinese immigration department won't give out working visas to anyone with less than two years' experience.

Apparently this had something to do with the increase in foreigners due to the Olympics, but this guy went on to say he could consider me for Shenzhen or Shanghai.

Firstly, I have never heard of this two year rule before - in fact, EF offered me a job in GZ last summer when I had NO experience, and I have also known of others getting a job in GZ with no experience or qualifications. Also, why would it be possible to get a visa for Shenzhen, which is only 30 miles down the road?

I don't want to make accusations, but do you think this statement was a little fib to try to fill posts in Shenzhen and Shanghai, or has the situation really changed? I Googled the issue, and found nothing. I really hope some one can clear this up for me, because GZ is where I want to be...

Also, if anyone could recommend some good GZ schools to contact, I would be most grateful.

Thank you.

PS. What's to stop me saying I have two years' experience? I'm on good terms with my current boss, and he might vouch for that.

[ragazzo gallese]

[eslstudies]

[North China Laowei]

The rules in Guangzhou have been on the books for a long, long time and are virtually the same in many other provinces, where in keeping with how things are often done here, they are or are not applied.

Guangzhou, for whatever reason, has been taking a hard lines these days and when, for example, visa processing takes two weeks in another province, it can take anywhere from two weeks to two months in GZ.

Next, the two-year requirement means that somewhere on your resume there should be evidence of two years of ESL or teaching experience. That is a requirement of the Foreign Experts' Bureau, not of the PSB. However, without a FEB little red booklet, the PSB in GZ is highly reluctant to issue a residence / work / ESL teaching permit.

The rules are the same in SZ and since April 14, 2008, SZ has been reined in.

[Teatime of Soul]

China laws and regulations may be promulgated at a National or Provincial level, but they are interpreted and enforced at the local level.

What may be permissible in one city, will be impossible in a neighboring city operating under identical regulations.

This is a source of frustration for those seeking the "definitive word" on anything in China.

The bigger and/or more desirable cities often have a surfeit of qualified candidates, so they can ratchet up their adherence to the regulations.

Also, enforcement focus in China is sporadic and often event driven, (bad publicity, a mishap, etc.). You can watch a shantytown build before your eyes and nary a trace of code enforcement for years. One day, the police roll in with bulldozers and level everything.

That's China.

[Jordean]