Job Discussion Forums

jennleo · Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 1

I'm currently looking at teaching in China but have a few questions, hopefully someone can help me figure this out before I sign a contract:

I have been talking with a recuiter from a private school in Shanghai. He told me that I would only need to obtain a visitor visa (L visa for 90 days). Is this sufficient or will I face problems when I arrive here? He also told me that if I could only obtain a 30 day the school would be able to extend it for us when we arrive in china. Do I need to get a z visa for a summer program? The program is approximately 10 weeks long.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Smile

JamesD · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 11:34 pm Post subject:

If this is for a summer only job I'd advise you "technically, by-the-book, going by the law, doing the right thing, playing by the rules" no. Working on a tourist visa is illegal no matter how long you'll be here.

Now........China doesn't really work that way. If you're here for only 2 months why go through a month of paperwork and the major expense of a work visa? Are you ready to shell out 60 bucks for a physical, make two trips to the consulate, provide up to 8 photos, and fill out three forms for 2 months of teaching?

It's legally wrong and I never said it was ok but I do know schools with connections do this while the local boys in blue usually turn a blind eye to short term teachers.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

There are one-month work visas available, but they don't make economic sense. That recruiter misinformed you, full stop.
The school cannot get you an extension - you can, provided you have a legal address (and the school may actually provide that).

If you work on a tourist visa, you stand a good chance of not being caught; but if you do get caught it will be an expensive experience.

whitjohn · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Posts: 124

The Helen TEFL gig in Hangzhou "employs" many foreigners each summer. I worked there last year and John Zhou apparently has what it takes to get his people through safely. No one had any problems. At the time, I had a Z from my school here but most others did not.

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Summer schools are a grey area. I would say that 95 % of the teachers are technically illegal. I f you have your z-visa, it is still illegal to teach anywhere other then your host school, unless you have their permission.

Having said that, I don't know of any government that cares. It is pretty accepted that you can do what you want during summer. Your only option will be the L visa. Nearly all summer schools don't have the legal right to hire you. In Henan, there are a hundren language schools, a hundred summer schools (probably many many more)

Two of these schools have the legal right to hire foreigners, and neither of them bother going through the process just for a summer school.

Morally, legally I wouldn't have a problem doing a summer school gig on a l visa. Just don't let them rip you off. At least 6,000 for 24 hours here in lowly Henan..at least. They make out like bandits in the summer

China Pete · Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 86 Location: Henan, China

Hehe,
he meant 6,000 for 24 hours of teaching in a week. Laughing

Yes even here in Henan, thats true much money in taking a summer position. Whats annoying, is that last summer my school and 2 others are the only ones with a legal license to run a school, and yet there were over 200 small summer schools set up. I even saw a little crappy "school" set up in my own neighborhood- in a garage! and I could hear them start class in the morning- I was thinking is that English or Pig Latin??