Job Discussion Forums

The Boz · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 37 Location: Here and There

Hi all. I'm currently in Seoul, but I've decided that I'd like to make the move to teaching in Shanghai. My length of stay is a bit limited (March to July), and I'm really quite unsure if I can find a school that is okay with this (in Korea, almost all schools require a one-year contract). I'm also wondering if, since I am fairly close already, it would be better to fly to Shanghai on a tourist visa and look around for work when I get there or to simply continue to search through the internet. I'm sorry for such newbie questions, but I'd appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks!

Spiderman Too · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:59 am Post subject:

February to late-June / early-July is the �normal� school term. A March start may be possible with a school that didn�t manage to recruit teachers in time for a February start. But then that raises the question as to why the school couldn�t successfully recruit teachers in time, especially for Shanghai; unattractive package?

The issue of changing an �L� tourist visa to an �F� business visa or a �Z� work visa remains a province-to-province situation. However, there have been recent reports on this forum that it can still be done in Shanghai.

Subject to airfares, you may like to consider firstly flying to Hong Kong to get an �F� visa, which are said to be fairly easy to obtain there, in a 6 month multiple-entry form. It is not actually legal to hold a fulltime job on an �F� visa, although apparently many teachers do. It would be less-illegal (if that�s at all possible) to work an an �F� visa than an �L� visa. And an �F� visa would not tie you up with one employer because �F� visas are unsponsored, unlike �Z� visas.

Here�s one �outfit� that are offering short-term positions for Shanghai:-

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=15576

Also, have a look at:-

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=15564

ps Does 'The Boz' in any way refer to Boz Scaggs?

The Boz · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 37 Location: Here and There

Thanks for the help Spiderman. I checked out those links and they look promising. I'm just going to keep searching on the internet and see what happens for now, but hopefully something good will happen. I'm glad to know that, if all else fails, coming in on a tourist visa might be okay in Shanghai. Anyways, thanks again for your help. Also, I'm sorry to say that my name doesn't refer to Boz Scaggs.

amandabarrick · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 391

I flew from Seoul to Shanghai on Asiana Airlines a couple years ago, nice flight, I forget the exact price but it was average. ($180 U.S.)
Flying to Shanghai on an 'L' tourist visa and looking around for work when you get here is risky, but possible. Private language training schools would be your best bet considering your length of stay. No public school would hire in March for a 5 month contract. A school could change your tourist visa to the 'F' work visa which allows you to stay for a few months. However, it is illegal to accept salary for work on an F visa. Maybe not enforced, but illegal nonetheless.

AB