Job Discussion Forums

[sswilson]

I have a questions about the requirements for obtaining a Z Visa in China.
I am applying for positions in China with my girlfriend. I hold a Bachelors Degree with Honors in English Literature as well as TESOL certification, however my girlfriend only has TESOL certification with no Degree. I have checked the requirements at the Chinese Embassy Website and according to their information a degree is NOT required.

The problem is that when applying for positions, some employers are saying that the degree IS required. The issue with them is not that they do not want to hire her, as the job offer is still on the table, they claim that the degree is actually a requirement for the Visa. They have even suggested methods of getting around the requirements like providing proof that we are married (which we are not) or having her go to China on an L Visa instead. Other schools have gotten back to us as well and are interested in hiring despite her lack of a degree, however only the one has attempted to begin the process of obtaining the paperwork for us.

I am just worried that even if we are hired by a school (such as the one that has already offered us a job) when we go to get our Visas in order, we will find out that she is not qualified.

Could someone offer some kind of clarification on this? There seems to be a lot of conflicting information on the subject...

[Sonnibarger]

there are about a million other posts on daves that cover ur question... anyway the answer is.... yes and no, it depends, sometimes, maybe, maybe not...

some schools have the power to work around the law (degree/equiv) others MOD EDIT... others still will ask she come on a L or F visa and work under the table.... alot of schools like to hire couples.. that maybe a good way to get ur special lady friend a visa... if the school has the connections.

[Chris_Crossley]

Bear in mind also that the PSB can conduct no-notice inspections of institutions that have foreigners on their teaching staff, so you might be asked to come to a meeting of all the foreign teachers only to see at least two PSB officers in the room who will give you a recitation of the rules regarding the conduct of foreign workers in China.

Their main concern, though, would be with the local management of the school rather than with the foreign teachers directly as they would want to be satisfied so that they are sure that there is nothing whatsoever underhand or unusual or, dare it be said, illegal about your hiring.

At the school I worked at before coming to my current post, the PSB discovered, through a no-notice inspection, that a foreign student had been hired to teach kindergarten-department kids. The result was inevitable: the school had to let the student go since hiring students, who have come to China on different visas from those on Z visas, is illegal.

A side-effect was that some of the FTs, including yours truly, had to save the management from further embarrassing themselves by essentially bribing us (with extra money promised) into filling in the gap left by the now-departed illegally-hired "teacher" until the end of term.

And yet one would never have thought that a government-funded school would have been so utterly stupid as to have hired someone they knew they had no legal right to hire! I just wonder whatever happened to the admin staff member responsible for this!

Then again, it has been known for high-ranking officials in the British government to have "accidentally" hired illegal immigrants!

[Hansen]

The real issue is with the foreign affairs office. Some, perhaps most, will not issue an expert's certificate for teaching at the university level unless you have a bachelor's degree. High school or vocational school is a different story. A TESOL and associate's degree will do. This probably varies from place to place.

Sounds boring no doubt, however, your gf should get her degree before coming to China. Once here, if you like it, going back for a degree will be tough. In China, your options will be extremely limited. The hiring agency knows that. China w/o a bachelor's degree=invitation for abuse, low pay, limited opportunities, uncertainty.

MOD EDIT

[Sinaman]

This is what I have been told by a business owner in China:

The authorities can't really tell the difference between a degree/diploma/certificate etc. As long as they see something that resembles some kind of tertiary qualifications they will let it through. I have to say that it makes sense given the level of English knowledge in the country.

[chinatwin88]

Mine was translated.

[Hansen]

Documents and items required for FEC and RP:

Contract and appendix

Invitation letter

Health certificate. Get the booklet type which is good for one year. A specifc clinic must be used, in this area. Unless required to enter China, those arriving from abroad should have the physical done here. One from your country may be useless and much more expensive. An ultrasound is performed as part of the work up. Very expensive in the USA.

Degrees, TESOL certificates, and so forth

Photographs. Have at least 4, passport size. Color accepted here.

"Residence" document from local police station. This form must be chopped. Obtain the form from the local Chinese police station. It describes where you live, who is the owner, when you moved in, and so forth.

"Warranty" letter. This is a letter from your school to the PSB vouching for your character and stating that you will not break the law while in China. This may be the reason some schools are requiring criminal record checks. For those not yet in China, I suggest that you bring an original of the DOJ (Department of Justice) background check, or its equivalent

A4 is the required paper size here. It may not matter or may be different in your locale.

You will need copies. Have at least 2. You may be required to provide the original documents.

The school must also be authorized to hire foreign teachers. School authorizations do expire and may delay the process.

In most places, the school FAO will take care of these matters. Not always. They may also be unfamiliar with the requirements.