Job Discussion Forums

cari83 · Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Posts: 13

Hi, I'm currently teaching in Asia (not China). If I can get hired for a position in China, could I get a Chinese work visa without returning to the US? I can't afford the flights right now.

Also I've lived in Asia for most of the past 3 years. Would I need to get a criminal check from the countries I've lived in? I have a clear FBI background check dated mid-September 2014, so it's not a year old yet. Would that be accepted? It's not apostilled, but I don't think China requires the apostille.

One more question: what salary would be considered good for me, having 3 years' experience? I have a BA in a modern language - not English, and an online TESOL certificate. :-/

I would really appreciate anyone helping me out with these questions. Smile

Listerine · Joined: 15 Jun 2014 Posts: 340

Depends on....

a)-the province you'll be applying for the job.
b)-where you are now and if the Chinese embassy there can grant a visa...might depend on your visa status in your current country.
c)-FBI check may / probably / definitely won't be required depending on your destination in the PRC.
d)-salary...depends. anywhere between 4,000 and 30,000rmb per month depending on the type of school, hours etc.

I don't think anyone can answer exactly without more specific info.

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Agree with Listerine. It's impossible to answer accurately because in China nothing is set in stone.

In my personal case I have always applied and received my visa OUTSIDE of my home country. Once I was on a tourist visa in a country and this time I am working in a 3rd country.

From my understanding, if you can prove that you have lived in the country for a year (i.e. you have a one year work visa) then the embassy should issue you a visa in a third country. Logically speaking, if you have a contract in Thailand (for example) from 1 Sep - 31 Aug then want to go to China on 1 Sep for a new contract, then how the hell could you fly home to apply for a work visa!? This, the embassy in Thailand should issue you with a visa.... but this is China, so don't count on it Mad

Call your local embassy.

Your salary will depend on where you work, what kind of institute and the hours you do. Realistically you should earn an absolute minimum of 72,000RMB a year from a uni for 16 hours a week and 32 weeks a year (20 weeks holiday) + free flat, flights, utilities, etc. In a language school you should be earning at least 120,000RMB a year with same benefits as above.

Otherwise, don't bother getting out of bed.

doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

kungfuman · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 1:07 am Post subject:

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

You could have, but the question I think is can you. Only your potential employer will know. I am not trying to be a jerk, but really things change so quickly, and employers are not always up to date, so it is best to ask them what they can do.

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

oops, yes, in a language mill you might only get 21 days holiday (or something similar)

Public school, international schools etc can be the same as a uni.

When applying for my current visa in Russia, the embassy told me you can apply as long as you live there 'permanently'. When I asked my school, they said the bureau in China would let me apply wherever I wanted as long as the embassy agreed.

So not really sure who decides where you apply: school, bureau or embassy. I think a mix of bureau and embassy. BUT the school MUST tell the bureau where you will apply from, or the default setting is the bureau will just put your home country.

So it needs the co-operation of all 3, to a degree.

cari83 · Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Posts: 13

Thank you all for your answers, they were very helpful. Smile

I guess I will contact the Chinese embassy here and ask them if I can do it. I do have a work visa so hopefully that will be enough to apply from here.

mysterytrain · Joined: 23 Mar 2014 Posts: 366

I have just gotten a Z visa applied through a Chinese consulate in Indonesia, where I have limited-stay residency (even though it will be cancelled within a few days). I used a CBC from the national police authority here in Indonesia and it was accepted. Medical check, everything was done here (have lived here for the past four years).

This is for a job in Guizhou, some provinces may have different / stricter requirements or may not allow work visas through a third country at all, so check first or have the FAO check with the provincial authority. Good luck.

cari83 · Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Posts: 13

Thank you for that info, mysterytrain. I guess it does depend on the province. For a Beijing job, I was told I would have to return to the US or mail my passport to an agency or family member in the US and have them apply at the consulate for me. I found this agency but it's quite expensive:
http://www.mychinavisa.com/china-visa.php

I was also told that Henan province would allow me to apply from where I'm currently a resident. It's really confusing but it is possible I guess.

Hermosillo · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 3:15 pm Post subject:

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Skype interviews with recruiters are the biggest waste of time ever. Usually they don't even talk, they want to msg. And they just ask for all the info that you sent them on your CV. Not worth the time of effort.