Job Discussion Forums

theincredibleegg · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 224

It has been mentioned several times in this forum that you need 2 years of relevant work experience to obtain a foreign expert certificate.

I work in Beijing.

I don't have 2 years work experience, but yet i work on a Z-visa. I have 6 months relevant work experience from home, but they didn't ask for any papers that proves it.

Is it really true that you need 2 years work experience?

bweidema · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Eugene,OR,US

I am trying to get my z-visa for teaching in Shanghai and last week I was asked to provide proof of two years work experience. I asked my school if it had to be teaching experience and they said no. But I have yet to actually receive my visa so I'm not 100% sure.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Things can be on the books but overlooked when it suits them. It is the same in most countries here in Asia. For instance 60 is supposed to be the cut out age but some here are over 70.

killian · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:47 am Post subject:

"work expereince" can be just about anything. as "massageable" as the contacts given when supplying one's own reference are immently malleable.

bag boy at grocery store?
desk clerk at dorm?
lawn care techician?

all sound like work experience when dressed up properly.

Orrin · Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 206 Location: Zhuhai, China

@Anda,

Sixty IS the cut off age for the issuance of NEW work permits/FECs. If someone over sixty is already in China on a valid work/residence permit, it is easilly renewed. I'm over sixty, and I've had my permits renewed twice since my 60th birthday.

k3o3r9n0 · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

As for experience, I told the school I work at that I had no experience beyond tutoring, but they asked me to add some "experience" to my resume to ensure I got the visa, so I don't think it's a big deal.

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

I said I had about ten years experience teaching English in Asia. It's true but they never checked a thing. They wanted a letter of reference, but then said it was unnecessary since I hadn't worked on the mainland before.

theincredibleegg · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 224

Yes, i think it is like some of you said described above. The rules are relative to the applicant, the school and the employee dealing with the application.

Meh, i'm planning to look for another employer. But this uncertainity about my future visa is annoying to say the least.