Job Discussion Forums

olykid · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Location: cambodia

Hello!

I am an experienced teacher with a TEFL and good recomendations currently teaching in SE Asia. I'm finishing up here and toying with the idea of heading up to China in a couple months, but I've never been and I'm not sure if it would be the right place for me.

What would be the possibility of going in on a tourist visa (and how long is the longest tourist visa?), wandering around until I find a place I like, and then finding a job? I would be willing to do things slightly under the table if needbe, and I'm really not looking for a great job or staying longterm. I'm just basically looking for a way to stay for a little while, check out the country, and teach either full or part time (how many hours would one be looking at teaching just to support the cost of living? ...very vague question, I know...).

Is this plan totally stupid or is there some merit to it? Can anyone tell me what the procedure would be if I were to try?

Thanks- and also an apology for asking a question that I'm sure has been posed many times.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Yes
You will be fine
Welcome to China.
Don't worry!

bradley · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 235 Location: China

You won't have a problem doing that but I would suggest researching as much as possible before going.

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

Good way of getting to know the place you want to spend the next year or so; just be prepared to head back home to apply for your work visa over there and return to China.

Sugar Magnolia · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 233

It's very simple - hire a lawyer.

Is this plan totally stupid or is there some merit to it? Can anyone tell me what the procedure would be if I were to try?

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I reckon its a good plan.

I think the longest tourist visa is 90 days. I know I have come to China on a 90 day tourist visa before. Of course, Im not so sure 90 days is enough to know wether you really like a place enough to want to stay, but as you also said you arent that bothered about the best job...its all good.

Based on my limited China experience, anything from around 12 hours a week upwards would be the minimum one would need to survive...naturally there will be massive variations. Most people tend to work 20 hours or less I would say.

If you do decide to stay longer, permanently, and want to make the visa official, it can be done without going to your home country as suggested above. I have a friend in BJ (UK national) who has no degree or TEFL and have just got his visa by going to Korea.

This may not even be an issue for you if you are happy working under the table, as many people in China do