Job Discussion Forums

Mpho · Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

What is the legal length of time that one can serve at one's university in China (if there is a limit). I would like to stay and teach at least 5 years at the college where I am, but am told that the legal limit is 2 years then 1 year elsewhere and then back for 2 years, off again, back again.

This college is not perfect, but I am satisfied and am getting married and want to stay in this city, not move around.

Mpho

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Are you sure? I have a former colleague who is finishing his third consecutive year at the Inner Mongolian college where I was teaching.

mike w · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:19 am Post subject:

Not sure about universities, but I know several teachers who are into their fifth and sixth consecutive years at some schools and colleges.

danielb · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 490

I'm on my third year at the same university.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

It is obvious that our legal situation has been designed so as to discourage people from becoming long-termers but of late no defined limits have been applied; I know of one case of an FT who stayed at the same college for 10 years. His tenth contract was not approved by the P.S.B., though, who said he cannot serve more than ten years in China unless he gets naturalised...

danielb · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 490

Step, was that in Guangdong? Did he end up staying?

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

I intend to sign my next contract soon for my 4th year . I also intend to stay at the same at the Uni for another 1 year after that at least - In all that'll be 5 until I ought to make a move me thinks although life has been pretty damn good doing this job !

mike w · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject:

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

I am not aware of any laws that would prevent you from working indefinitely at a school or university.

There are taxation concerns however as if you are deemed to have become a full time resident in China then the government wants to start taxing you as a local. This can be avoided by leaving the country for a month when you get to the five year mark, and when you come back in the count starts over again.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

Agree with Clark. My uni makes sure I leave the country and even has me give them a copy of the exit and re-entry stamps. This is to re-start the clock and eliminate tax problems.

Leon Purvis · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:59 am Post subject: Re: length of service

clomper · Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 251 Location: Beijing

I once knew a teacher in Zhanjiang who taught in the same school for 13+ years. It's a running guessing game each year on how long she stayed with the university.

She's an honorary foreigner in the city and usually dines at the main table during banquets hosted by the city's foreign affairs department.

She doesn't have Chinese residency but she goes back to Canada every year.

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

Schools make these 'rules' up as they go along. They tell different things to different teachers as it pleases them. There is no limit to the number of years you can legally stay, as long as you have a job.

Leon Purvis · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:58 am Post subject:

Mpho · Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

Thanks for the info, I have used it to check with others in authority at the college and I have gotten two clarified answers:
1. Yes, it is legal to teach at one college/university up to 10 years maximum. But there are no long-term contracts, just a series of one-year renewable at both parties consent.
2. Yes, it is legal to teach as long as the univeristy or college can justify paying you and you continue to do an excellent job. However, we would probably not want you to teach past age 67 or 68 and certainly retire at age 70.

These are acceptable answers and I will accept these answers as correct.

Just a note, the college is very excited about be getting married to a Chinese woman, esp. the FAO and the head of my department. They like some stability in the foreigners' family life.

Mpho