Job Discussion Forums

[nellychess]

If I fly out to China and travel around looking for work, is that a good way to get a job? How would you go about it while in China? Is that legal?

[Professional TEFLer]

[dean_a_jones]

While looking for work while here on a tourist visa may not be illegal as such, working on one certainly is. The problem you might face is that you may come across schools who want you to start working straight away on the wrong visa, promising to sort out your proper visa when they never actually do. Or, if you do find a legitimate job, needing to depart China (probably to a nearby country but possibly back home) to then apply for the correct working visa and reenter on it, which can be a bit expensive.

If you have the funds to come, explore for a bit, figure out what city you like, find a job, leave to apply for the correct visa, return and work for a month or so before you get paid (and, depending on the job, put money down for an apartment) then assuming you do things above board and don't try to stay on the wong visa, I guess it comes down to whether you feel more secure (or might find a better job or have a better idea of where you want ot be) by doing things from on the ground in China rather than online from abroad. Or if you don't find something, if you are prepared to go home instead (usually a bit more complicated as you have planned not to be back for year or more) So it is a question of economics more than anything else, as the come here first option tends to require quite a bit more funding.

There are a number of other factors, though. Nationality, age, background all come into play. What kind of school you are hoping to work for. What kind of salary, hours and fringe benefits you are expecting. When you hope to come over/begin. Depending on your answer to those questions, things might be deemed a bit easier or more difficult.

[doogsville]

There are a lot of jobs advertised on the Internet. It's possible that the majority of jobs are advertised here, I don't know the statistics. Therefore it's possible to get a lot of job applications in without leaving the comfort of whichever room you happen to have your computer in.

On the other hand if you fly out here, unless your Chinese is really, really good, you're looking at travelling around trying to find schools that teach English and have a vacancy without having the slightest idea what you are looking for in terms of language. The phrase needle in a haystack doesn't begin to cover it. Factor in the minefield of trying to separate the good schools from the bad. The good will give you the proper papers, for which you will have to return home or at least make a trip to Hong Kong, the bad will lie to you and have you working illegally.

Personally I would find and secure the job at home, fly out with a Z visa, then once you're established and working legally and comfortably, travel around China when you have some free time.

[Banner41]

I almost choked.....Someone asked for advice and got three solid answers straight away! No screams of "Is this a troll?" or "Use the search function" color me impressed!

Actually my post derailed that a bit but I will have to agree unless you have connections on the ground already it's a bit tougher but not impossible. Also as stated, looking for a job isn't illegal, working on the tourist visa is. Just account for taking a trip outside the country to secure proper working visa papers. Good luck!

[Non Sequitur]

'Newbie in China on tourist visa. Easy to get a job?'
Yep!
Easy to get screwed?
Yep!
As we're in the main hiring season, why not do the legit pathway?
As others have mentioned, if you are not a native speaker or Caucasian you may not get other than dodgy offers.
The full Z visa may not prevent you being ripped off but it does provide some basis for complaining.
Bleating about being ripped when you are not even legally supposed to be working is not going to get much mileage.

[Shroob]

[likwid_777]

"The problem you might face is that you may come across schools who want you to start working straight away on the wrong visa, promising to sort out your proper visa when they never actually do." -dean_a_jones

It's true. Happened to me, and I got the lovely "Must leave China within 10 days" stamped in my passport. I had a relationship going there with a nice Chinese lady (don't we all? haha). And that petered out while I was back here, via long distance, rather painfully. I still don't know if I can actually go back, that was in December 2010. Consulate here says "I don't think it's a big deal, but you have to apply". Anyone have experience with that, by the way?

What I'm trying to say to you though, is, get the Z visa before you go. They ended up getting me an F business visa, but I still got drop kicked out of the country. Business visa, thanks a lot, it's still not the correct visa.

Don't do it man, it's not worth getting caught, or even the paranoia of getting caught. What is the benefit of it? Nothing. Don't be naive like I was.

[GreatApe]

LMAO! ...

REALLY!??? .... AGAIN!???

Certainly come and have a look if that's what floats your boat, but it is exactly as has been suggested. You will be on an "L" visa; a school will want to hire you, and you will be tempted to accept.

Perhaps they will be able to get you a proper work visa and hire you legally, perhaps they will not be eligible ... perhaps they will lie. Perhaps they will want to save money; perhaps they will not care. Perhaps you will get caught; perhaps you will get deported.

If you're qualified to work and get a job in the PRC, then why not DO IT RIGHT the first time!?

--GA

[BlueBlood]

Has anything else regarding Z-visa's changed since the last post?

It sounds like, if one can afford it, going to China on a visit, and looking for work is a good idea. But I should NOT plan on staying but rather returning home to complete the proper paperwork. Is that take correct?

I'm looking for a uni job starting sometime next year, so this might be the best plan for me. Of course cost is an issue, as such a pre-trip trip would likely cost me about 3 mo's FT's salary.

Any input appreciated!

[johntpartee]

If money's going to be a problem, you might have a problem.

Don't bet more than you're able to lose.

[Non Sequitur]

[BlueBlood]

Again, terrific input, NS.

Without getting too far into it, I've got to sell a home and mop up some legal matters (non-criminal!) before I can leave for good. Although I'd love to leave permanently shortly after the new year, it may well be early spring 2014--perhaps not the best time to look for work?

My concern is the contract. I'm not perfect, but if I commit to a school and a contract, I'd hate to break it. I've already a good lead on what sounds like a language mill. Suppose I could take something like that but for only 6 months?

Looking at a map, the University of Qingdao (which I visited in 1990, lol!) looks ideal. I suspect, however, a job there would come at a premium and likely go to a FT with more experience.

[bestteacher2012]

[Non Sequitur]