Job Discussion Forums

Jeff19 · Joined: 23 Jun 2015 Posts: 24

Hello, I'm Italian, I hold a degree in English from the UK and a CELTA. My girlfriend is Croatian, she holds a Master Degree in English from her own country and a CELTA. We both have 1 year of experience teaching in Russia(all ages and levels) and we are currently doing our second year in Vietnam(university position, Academic English).

What are our chances to land a good job in Shenzhen or Zhuhai?

By which I mean:
12000 RMB minimum
accommodation provided
around 25 hours per week
flights
summer holidays(too much? I have heard about jobs with up to 4 months of paid vacation)
and most importantly, a Z visa

Ideally we would like to start in August.

Thanks for your honest answers.

baki · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 72

JB140767 · Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Posts: 135

Honest is best - sorry, but zero chance. The package you describe would be a pretty good starter for a native speaker, and China does really want the natives. The qualifications are, sad to say, of secondary importance to the passport. You might find a gig in a training centre teaching English, but they do not provide long holidays / flights / accom (generally). There are gigs with 4 months or more holidays you describe (I currently have 6) but, pretty much only open to qualified, experienced English native passport country holders

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Hmm...I would agree with the previous posters that new regulations have dictated to only approve of teachers from native speaking countries. There are certainly teachers in China who are not from this list, usually illegally and not a recommended path to take.

However, in the ever changing landscape, there has been official talk of lightening the native speaking requirement in certain provinces to help fill demand. The teachers need to be able to prove a high level of proficiency which you should be able to meet. I would bet Zhuhai would be a better bet than Shenzhen on this exception.

I may be wrong, but I would think it would limit you to areas and positions that would not satisfy either of you. It's an area right now that is rather grey, and I don't think I would personally want to wade through it all.

Jeff19 · Joined: 23 Jun 2015 Posts: 24

Thanks for your answers. Could you please provide a link where I can find a clear, straightforward statement about the legal requirements needed to obtain a Z visa?
According to this recent article: ...Having said that, many firms and public organizations (universities, for instance) are accredited to employ foreigners and can help you get a work VISA as long as you qualify as a “foreign expert.”

Depending on the field, you may need to prove you have English as first language and hold a Bachelor’s Degree (if you want to teach English) or provide a Ph.D. degree (if, for instance, you want to become a university professor).
http://www.saporedicina.com/english/chinese-visa-application/#chinese-visa-5

So, as I understand, as long as you prove your native-like level of English you should be able to qualify as a foreign expert and therefore obtain a Z visa.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

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

I think staying with the tried and true is the best way through the current morass.
Check that offering school has right to employ.
Get offer letter from school and complete home country medical.
Send Z visa application, passport and supporting docs to Embassy or Consulate.
Get Z visa in passport and then arrange travel.
I know some of the 'relaxed' procedures sound attractive but months on we don't see any definitive process.
My China motto' 'look for the least-downside option in all things'.
Best