Job Discussion Forums

yingwenlaoshi99 · Joined: 14 Oct 2014 Posts: 3

I heard a rumor today that some South Africans were denied visas due to the country taken off the list of recognized English-speaking countries. Heard it's effective May 1st.

Anyone?

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

That can't be true. South Africa has been off the list since at least 2012 when I arrived in China.

yingwenlaoshi99 · Joined: 14 Oct 2014 Posts: 3

Well then immigration is following the rule now? Wasn't aware that they were not even on the list.
There are new visa rules that are supposed to take effect May 1st. If you aren't from a recognized English-speaking country you're SOL. Even if you have a diploma from a university in said countries. If South Africa's not on the list then that would explain the rumor.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

This would certainly seem to be true then considering the rumor about Ireland also just posted here.

SH_Panda · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 455

theoriginalprankster · Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 895

Loads of Saffers, particularly the Dutchmen, have quite nasty accents.

Those of British descent tend to have quite cultured accents (pats self on back).

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

According to Wikipedia, only 9.6% of South Africans speak English as their first language https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_South_Africa This must be taken into account.

shaka · Joined: 19 May 2014 Posts: 23

If they're kicking out accents for being obnoxious and unintelligible, then surely they should be starting with Australians.

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

Big Worm · Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 171

theoriginalprankster · Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 895

max71081 · Joined: 05 Aug 2015 Posts: 125

Big_H · Joined: 21 Dec 2013 Posts: 115

putting stereotypes aside for a second. I came late for the party, but while we're on the subject: is it true that only native English speakers are granted new work visas?

Mutronik · Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 7

This seems to be popping up in a couple of places now, I see one post saying it only affects Shanghai, Jiangsu and Sichuan (for now). Seems crazy to release the information and put it into place in only a few days. Nothing more about Ireland.

South Africa makes some sense seeing as <10% of the population have English as their first language.
Ireland doesn't though, if it's because of the accent it's ridiculous when the Scottish and Northern Irish accents are probably heavier. If it's something to do with the official languages it doesn't make much sense either as Canada has French and plenty of people in the French speaking areas have the same accent and fluency as someone born in France.

Also, looking at job listings on Daves, recruiters mention South Africa 68 times, Ireland 108 times and for comparison New Zealand 140 times so maybe some are aware of changes?