Job Discussion Forums

rellafeerf · Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 21

I am a U.S. citizen graduating this May, and I am planning on going straight to China on a 30-day tourist (L) visa this summer to try to find a teaching job in Beijing. I was considering going the safe route and finding a legitamate school online, but I don't want to end up working for a school which provides "free accomodation" (a.k.a. 10:00 p.m. lock-down with no freedom). And because I don't know exactly when I will be returning to the U.S., I am planning to just buy a one-way ticket to Beijing. Who has done this before? Will I be hassled at the airport if I show up by myself with two large suit-cases (making it obvious that I am not there for site-seeing) and no return ticket? Will I even be allowed out of the airport? Any help would be very much appreciated!

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

Get an open ended ticket, round trip.

Before you come, you could try discussing your concerns with a potential employer. Being here, cap in hand, wanting a job, is a bad spot from which to negotiate.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

You won't have any problems in a Chinese airport provided you are in possesion of a visa. I will second Tofuman and say that really you must have some employers ready to visit. Just turning up here with no plan would be a big mistake. Also you should have a plan B at the ready. What will you do if you cannot find a school to hire you within 30 days?

You say you are planning to come here in May. You should also think about what is convenient for a school. The semester will start about 7th of May, after this time you will be hard pressed to find a public school willing to hire you. Most would rather wait until September and hire a teacher who can work a full school year.

Also you will need a lot of money. 5000 RMB can get you through your first month, only if you are expecting a salary. Beijing is a very expensive city. During your first few weeks you will be spending money for all those little things, internet bar, western food, taxis and so on. Not to mention hotels and visa cost's.

It sounds like you are coming to China on a whim. You should mthink long and hard about it first. The last thing you need is to be stuck in a foreign country with no money, job or a ticket home. Trust me, been there, done that, got the mental scars.

rellafeerf · Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 21

I guess I should have explained my situation a little more clearly. I spent last Spring studying in Beijing, and then I worked during the summer, so I have a few friends I can stay with and some guanxi with a few different schools. My main concern was just getting into the country without an onward ticket. I know I would save myself a lot of trouble if I just found a school before I got there, but I would really like to check out the living conditions before I sign any contracts. I know what it's like to live in the provided on-campus housing where I'm not allowed to have friends visit me after a certain hour and I can't have visiting family members or friends save some money by sleeping at my place. Basically, I don't appreciate being treated like a child even if that is how Chinese universities treat their students.

klasies · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 178 Location: China

Hi there

I was told to come with a return ticket, which I did and lost the return portion. Since then my two sons arrive here from London with a single, and countless others that I know also have. If you can get away with a one way from your departure point do it. You will pick up no S&&t this side.

ekirving · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 57 Location: Back Home :-(

klasies · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 178 Location: China

EK

I agree 100% with what you have posted. Great advice. Being here makes it so much easier!!!

amandabarrick · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 391

United Airlines won't let you on the plane to China without an onward ticket out of China within the expiration date of your visa. Other airlines may not check that you have a ticket out of China, you should check with your airline beforehand.
This has already been discussed in detail on threads not too long ago.
AB

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

Ek,

I see the benefits from your angle. Congratulations on a job well done.

jg · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:49 am Post subject:

Per United Airlines,

I have been here almost three weeks and I came on United, a one-way flight. No one gave me any problems at all; i flew from Chicago - San Francisco - Shanghai.

I bought my fare at www.flychina.com - no 7/14 day advance purchase was needed to get the lowest fare, i bought it 5 days prior and paid $540 US.

easy-peasy

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

jg,
Was your visa a Z visa. I flew with United on a one-way before but my visa was a Z. As far as I know, it must be a Z visa for United to let you into China with a one-way.

Also I would avoid China Eastern. They gave me a hard time last time for buying a one-way ticket and I was on a Z visa. I can't imagine them letting someone go one-way on a L.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Rellafeerf, get an "open" return ticket and do not risk! There are many double standards and loads of inconsistancies in China, even though Chinese officials and most of the Chinese people are very friendly.
There have been a few cases of teachers from Canada and USA coming to China on their tourist visas with their "one-way tickets" (in some cases due to their Contracts in China offering one-way tickets back on the end) hussled, given all sorts of troubles etc. If you really want to do that have some extra money to prove that you can buy that ticket back home! With all the respect to Canada (I am Canadian) and USA, the Canadian and especially USA customs do not compromise at all and Chinese know it very well. I hope that my advice helps here.
Cheers

Zola · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 5 Location: East Sussex, England

I had a similar query before I came back to China last summer (from the UK).

I had heard from someone at the school that I would need a return ticket after I had already paid for my single ticket into Beijing.

I contacted the Embassy in London, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, even the airport authorities, the airline, and they were all sure it would be fine.

I got in no problem on a tourist visa with a one way ticket, before starting my teaching job in September and changing to a Z visa.

The only way I could see a problem is if the rules are different for U.S. citizens, but the chances of that are slim I reckon.

Good luck.