How likely would it be to obtain a Z visa if I am from The Netherlands to teach at a kindergarten? This other school wants me to sign agreement with them, is it legal to just sign it, or do I need to complete other procedures, or should I reject this offer? The school will then work with their provincial government office to arrange the foreign expert confirmation documents to be sent to you. Bring yourself and the following to the PBS: Expect the processing time of the Residence Permit to be approx 10 – 15 days, depending on the city you’re applying in. Hi. Candidate holds a Bachelor in BBA (4 yrs) and a MA in TESOL. I have been offered a job. You have subscribed successfully. Thanks. Hi Jerome – the 3-7 days we refer to is how long it takes the embassy or consulate to process your Z visa paperwork and insert a visa into your passport. Can you transfer your visa if you’re changing jobs? The Employment Conditions of the Z Working Visa for Teaching English in China Foreigners intend to teach English in China as an employed … I’v been thinking about applying to teach there but this whole mess surrounding non natives and visas is scaring me. If I have a Z visa for one school, working full time, can I also work part time for another school? Visit the Chinese embassy or consulate’s website for the application form. Each has a different scope and is granted according to the applicant’s background and the type of work he or she will be performing in China. Now that I have the visa I realised that my notification for foreign work permit is expired (expired a day after receiving the visa). I have with me, an invitation letter, a copy of the contract, all my educational docs notarized from before and a medical test I am gonna do before I leave China. IF your residence permit is still valid then you should ask your new school to transfer everything to them and then I think you might be eligible for a new visa simply to reenter the country. or is this normal? For my last company,when I applied, I scanned all my documents then the company applied for the letter of invitation with these, but my new company say they need the original copies for everything. Currently, I am teaching in Xuzhou, it is a very traditional city with beautiful parks and nature. Appreciate it. The new city may require additional docs (like a background check from your 1st city) but as long as you start the process before your permit (and contract) expires it should be possible. There is a process in place for most cities and provinces so as long as you have all documents it should be doable. I have since gone on to teach in the UK, but wish to return to China, to the same school as I taught previously. Hi Vera, it sounds like the 2nd school might be talking about the release letter which the 1st school is legally required to provide in order to transfer your visa – you can read more here. I’m from Haiti i would like to visit China but i really dont understand the process. We can help recommend a location … Would this gap give me any problems? This report is necessary for obtaining a new passport and Chinese visa. Hi Kay – yes, they can be legal and not be able to hire foreign teachers (for example they could just use Chinese employees). Typically, teachers in China are required to work between 15-30 hours per week total. Hi Stephen – we arent sure, sorry. Luckily, your bachelor’s degree does NOT need to be teaching or English-specific: as long as you have this tertiary education, you’re eligible to teach ESL (or anything else) in China. For a fee, agencies apply for visas on your behalf and handle everything from submitting the paperwork to picking up the final result and mailing it back to you. I’m currently living outside of my home country and looking to apply for an ESL job in China. Is a Bachelor’s degree required? Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions (SARs) and have separate visa and entry administration. Mr Quincy, please kindly give the correct information. Click on the relevant link for your country's requirements for authentication. Apparently the contract I will sign on my arrival, will include these missing perks. Can I use the transcript for authentication and then give them the diploma when I receive it in April/May? TEFL Qualification. Everything else sounds fine but your best option is to start contacting recruiters/agencies and see if they can get you a legal visa, then you will know for sure. Once you've received the foreign expert confirmation documents, submit your visa application to your local Chinese embassy or consulate. and deported. In an email from a school in Yiwu (Zhejiang province) it was stated that “… foreign teachers can get work visa under age of 65. I have read your replies and it has been very helpful and informative. The problem is that when he’d tried to apply online for me, he found out that I’m already registered by another company. I am holding a Master degree in Business but I have limited teaching experience and no TEFL certificate at this moment. There are several schools out there preying on less-qualified or non-native teachers that will assure you you can work on a student or tourist visa or that promise they will have your permit changed to a Z visa at a later date. I have a bachelor’s degree from a Russian university, would it need to be translated into English or Chinese? Id go with your gut on this – if you’re happy with the communication thus far and get along with the school then it might be ok, if this is just another red flag I might start looking for other opportunities. Do you happen to know if it would be legal to do freelance work on the side while working in china? You do not need to be a teacher or have previously completed a TEFL certificate. Hi Maz – the better question is what the teaching offers require – I’d start by asking them if this is necessary as they should be able to tell you quite easily. (eg; a large amount of previous work experience in teaching.). Can yoυ verify which paperwork it is that needed to be signed such that yoυ can’t back out? It’s a pretty simple procedure and is nothing to worry about. I am really frustrated by all of the postings on Dave’s ESL that suggest you can apply in January to start the spring semester in mid-February. Hii there, I do not have a bachelors degree however ibest teacher did offer me a teaching job to work in China with regards to my tefl certificate. Is it possible for me to get a teaching job in China? Good day ! I have used. Hi, Once you’ve obtained your letter, the process will basically be the same as when you first arrived in China – so you’ll first need to apply for another work permit with the new school and then get registered again to get your new residence permit. Now, I’m stuck. She told me that I would have to have my undergraduate degree notarized in Illinois, my master’s degree notarized in Tennessee, AND my TEFL notarized in Prague where I received it in 2009. Another option for those already in Asia is applying for your Visa in Hong Kong. Also Two important points need to be stressed here: First, the SAFEA uses the character for the auxiliary ver… We strongly recommend you keep a copy of your passport and visa in a safe place. Do I still need Tefl to work in China or Vietnam? Hi Damian – with those credentials I think you’d be fine. ... Get email updates for new English Teacher jobs in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa. will they reject my visa after medical as they only do antibodies test? I come from Trinidad and Tobago (whose people speaks English) and therefore I have a passport from there. Currently located in Shanghai, he's passionate about strong coffee, IPAs, and solo travel. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you for the article. hi Quincy, At this stage, with your job sorted and your work visa secured, you’re ready for the … Not anymore, at least. I have HCV (hepatitis C antibodies test)test positive but my PCR is negative. While these requirements may differ from school to school, they tend to revolve around three main components: Applicants are also subject to the same retirement ages as Chinese workers: 60 for men and 55 for women. At that point I realized that this isn’t going to happen for Spring 2020. I have a 4 year law degree and other postgraduate law related qualifications, all from South Africa (native speaking country), as well as a TEFL certificate, with over 2 years work in South Africa experience. Something is not very clear. Can someone clarify for me, please. Will I have a problem with visa renewal due to the new regulations? I’m told this is all legit as I’d be working for a UK company while in China. The fee for the Z visa is the same as for other types of Chinese visas. Would I need to supply a legitimate degree this application, or would that requirement be exempt since I have 4 years previous work experience in China? If they refuse you can always go to SAFEA and seek their assistance. Does the change in job mean my about to be employer has to apply for a work permit for me from the foreign experts bureau before I travel or the current documents I have are enough to get me entry into China. In regard to education and experience requirements, the SAFEA states: “The foreign educational expert should hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and more than two years of experience." Your employer will ask you to, send them a pretty large number of documents. Im not an expert on this but Id assume the contract would be the most important – you should not be doing any of the other paperwork (like visa processing, etc) without a signed contract by both parties. Can I reapply for a work Z visa without a reference letter from my previous Chinese employer? However, I’m worried I might still get busted if I go teaching on an M visa. Still thinking…. Thank you. I am currently working for 1.5 years in sales. I called a visa expediter this week. Do you need to get your background check authenticated? Please note that it is not without risk as almost every province requires teachers to be native speakers, but schools often use their influence to get visas for non-natives. Want to teach English in China? These people are senior legal practitioners who prepare, attest, witness and certify legal documents for use overseas. Any help and proper info if I can get . Robert. Submitting your application to the Chinese consulate is the last step to get your Z visa. best of Luck . I’m Nigerian residing in Ghana with my work permit, I got a teaching contract for a year and the school is ready to take on the visa process. They said there is 2 ways to get the visa, the first way is the procedure you just listed. Number one, obtain a Work Permit. Or is it just me? I used to work in China for as an English teacher but now I want to go back but with a different company. Just to clarify, you will need to apply for a job and then they apply for the visa on your behalf. Yes, any embassy or consulate should work as long as you have all the docs. At first Thank you very much for your wise and realistic opinions, suggestions and information. Although there isn’t much you can do about how quickly your application is processed or how fast your documents are delivered to you, you can help speed up the process by making sure all the paperwork is filled out correctly and there are no missing documents. You will need to bring the following documents with you to the medical check: The follow-up Health Certificate can take a couple of working days to process and all being well, your employer should register this with the authorities. The experience in China has been fantastic so far, I like the culture, the people and lots of opportunities to travel. Should’t it have been 12 months? Hi ESL authority! First, complete the. However, some schools may be a bit reluctant to help you with this step so arm yourself with patience and get ready to insist. 1. I have a diploma in Accountancy and I am proficient both in English and Chinese. I have heard that only native speakers can get a job and visa in schools as English teacher , my husband also holding masters degree and he is from Pakistan too but worked for 12 years and he was holding z visa and foreign expert but In 2012 we moved to Malaysia , but now we want to come back . I am confused about age requirements for the Z visa. I gave my school a four month notice and told them in early October that I was leaving in late January. Id ask your school, they will know for sure! Like we mentioned above, if your employer isn’t offering a Z visa, they may not be an authorized registered school. I do have teaching experience of over 2 years as have completed my matric or high school. Your first choice in china!!! Scanned Document Copies of the following: Photos – these must meet certain criteria regarding size and content and have been taken in the last 6 months. Thank you for such an informative article. While there are plenty of schools and recruiters out there reassuring job seekers that it’s ok to teach on a business (M) or tourist (L) visa, doing so is illegal and extremely risky. I am applying for a work permit to get Z visa to teach English, however I am not a NS. I just applied for a visa Z yesterday. Is it possible to land a job in teaching ESL if I have a passport from Australia but i have a 3-year BA from Germany? How safe, true and possible is this? Hello, could you please tell us how or where to apply for a teaching job in china? I’m from morocco, and I have a master’s degree in linguistics and Eng lang teaching. My contract said that all a teacher needs to do to terminate a contract is give a three months’ notice and pay back fees. Does she stand a chance in China to teach English.What are the odds in here. As visa and other entry and exit conditions can change at short notice, you should always contact your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information. We love helping teachers, and they love our personalized service. The visa process to teach English in China as stated in the contract will be lead by your school, you will then need to work with your school employer to finalise and receive your Visa sticker . I need help, I just found out that the school I’m working at, is not the school on my contract. This requires much less documentation. Thank you for your response.Yes the permit was issued before the visa and used to apply for the visa. Switching jobs in China can be a pretty delicate matter but, if handled correctly, it can be done. Enter you details for great articles, tips and resources. Am I eligible to apply for Z Visa Teaching job in China? Hi Sara – yes, there is a chance but it will depend on your school. I had a family issue that I needed to tend to and I gave them a letter from my mother and it was notarized. (Salary varies depending on the location, teaching experience and qualifications) - Valid work visa (Z-Visa) sponsored by the school - Rent-free single furnished apartment near your school or housing allowance - Reimbursement for plane ticket to China upon completion of 1-year contract or yearly bonus - … Not sure I understand – if you already have the visa you should be good to go. You will use the visa to enter the country and then get a residency permit – the work permit is just to apply for and obtain your Z visa I believe. What if I don’t meet one of the requirements? Required fields are marked *. Hi Janeal – yes, there is hope but you might need to look outside of tier 1 cities. I am now 63, so above the Chinese retirement age. Can I obtain a z-visa? You need to provide your documents to a notary public. Hi Laila – in order to teach legally in China you will need to be a native speaker. Hi Quincy, Do you have an email address to contact you on regarding a proposal? As you might have spotted in the previous questions, only the Z visa is mentioned. Do yoυ mean the invitation letter yoυ receive in the mail from the company/government? Hi Gervais – it might be possible – biggest sticking point is your 3 year degree and passport. Hello, my question is , i have a working Z Visa as Foreign Sales Manager, Your email address will not be published. Thanks in advance. The PSB is a government office which acts as the local police station. I’d be grateful for a link to the complete A-Z process for teaching roles. Be patient here, as generally it can anywhere up to 30 business days for the permit to be processed. Different cities/provinces have been known to change things slightly and our advice is to always coordinate with the school regarding what they need. What if yoυ send all the paperwork (digitally) from the U.S. for a job you’ve already accepted (with not yet having signed a contract), but then receive a better offer? I have a question about a short teaching stint in China, nanning. To obtain this work visa from China, you will first need to be offered a job. I have asked why the housing and travel allowance are missing, but they have said the “visa contract” does not require the inclusion of these benefits. Free flights, free housing, bonuses, airport pickup, and a Z visa, among other perks. Your Diploma can also be authenticated via on online, one-step process with the Chinese Ministry of Education in Beijing. I have no idea how to get my documents apostilled from my home state while abroad, as well as the FBI background check as our embassy does not provide this service. Applicants only need to submit a colour scan of their highest diploma. My visa expires in December. While working on the side isn’t uncommon, I would not count on a signed agreement to protect you as the visa and work permit are the only things that matter. I feel really confused and unsure what to do. Regardless, I would not be worried about being “prosecuted” as it sounds like you did everything according to your contract. They might have more negotiating power than you in this case and it’s in their best interest to make sure the process & paperwork go smoothly. The first thing you must do upon landing in China, apart from grabbing some delicious noodles, is register at the local police station where you’ll be staying. And does part-time work count as valuable work experience? Hi I have a question Don’t expect the Chinese visa renewal or replacement process to be expedited to meet travel or flight schedules. Are you sure the original job didn’t cancel the permit/visa? To work as an English teacher in China, one must obtain a work visa, which means complying with the regulations put together by the Chinese State Administration for Foreign Expert Affairs.The minimum requirements dictate that an applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree, at least two years of post-graduate work experience, and a … Hi Ross – if you’re applying for a new visa then you need originals of everything (diploma, etc) but Im not sure this includes a cancellation letter – is that what they need or are they talking about other docs? Hi,I worked at a school in China with a Z Visa valid until end June 2021.I returned to South Africa due to Covid&continued online teaching for the school.I got another teaching position at another school in China for the new academic year.Will my Z Visa still work for the other school&will they use that to arrange my work&resident permits at the new school like they did at the previous school?Can I just go back as soon as we’re allowed back into China with a letter of appointment or what must I do-besides the Covid test?Thank you. Z visa for a non-native English teacher. 2. *Made with love by the same people who run ESL Authority! (4), Frequently asked questions about teaching in China, authenticated by the foreign affairs department of your country, and. I was 3 months into my contract when I broke my ankle helping another teacher in the apartment. It will depend on what the school asks for, but usually English will suffice. I was told at a job fair in Shanghai in 2016 that I was already too old to continue working in China. This could have changed and your school should be able to tell you exactly what they expect to be able to process your visa. Many schools require minimal teaching hours, while the rest is made up with “office time”. Is this safe ? Congratulations! I think you’re right to treat this a red flag – the contract is what will govern your working over the next year and it should have as much info as possible.