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Working visa requirements to Teach English in China
Working (Z visa) for teaching English
Note: If your BA is in an education related field a TEFL is NOT required, 120 hour TEFL required for Shenzhen, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
If you qualify for the working visa in China, you must request one, if employers ask you to come to China on a tourist or business visa, we do not recommend you do this as a work visa can only be issued if you enter China with the Z visa.
Some employers may say they can convert a business or tourist visa to a work visa after you arrive, in this case you should get at least 3 or 6 month business or tourist visa and be prepared to fly to Hong Kong or nearby country to get your Z visa and re-enter China at a later date.
Other types of working visa in China
If you're going for a non-teaching role, Director of studies or other position a different type of working visa is offered. This type of working visa can be offered by any company in China, however they need to justify why a local Chinese national could not perform the position they are hiring for. A reference letter confirming 2 or more years related work experience in a non-Chinese company is required in all cases.
Working (Z visa) for professional and management roles
1. BA Degree or Higher (Essential)
2. 21 to 65 years of age
3. 2 years post-graduate work experience (In the related field of employment. A Reference Letter IS REQUIRED)
Note: Any nationality can get this visa, note you must have a reference letter.
2. 21 to 65 years of age
3. 2 years post-graduate work experience (In the related field of employment. A Reference Letter IS REQUIRED)
Note: Any nationality can get this visa, note you must have a reference letter.
No BA Degree and Misc. working visas
If you do not satisfy the above requirements it is not possible to legitimately get a working visa in China.
If you know of friends working in China without a BA or the requirements listed above, either they had a working visa years ago when the rules were less strict and have renewed it since then, Or they are working on a Business or Tourist visa.
Many teachers still do work on a tourist or business visa although it comes with small risks. Usually, employers have good relationships with local police stations if this is happening and are rarely checked. Although, if you qualify for a working visa you should always try to get one as it saves having to exit the country every 2-3 months if you're on a Business or Tourist visa.
Important requirements to work in China
Financially, you must have around £1000/$1500 available to pay for your visas, flights and first month to live and work in China. Note that your initial costs are reimbursed to you at the end of your contract in the form of an end of contract bonus.
Key requirements
1. At least £1000GBP or $1500 available for initial flights, visas and costs to get started
2. Available for a minimum of 12-month contract
3. Adaptable/Cultural awareness recommended
4. Chatty/Confident personalities will find teaching in China easy
If you've never taught before, there's no need to worry, full training and support is offered. Many foreign teachers who've never taught before learn to teach within 1-2 weeks.
2. Available for a minimum of 12-month contract
3. Adaptable/Cultural awareness recommended
4. Chatty/Confident personalities will find teaching in China easy
If you've never taught before, there's no need to worry, full training and support is offered. Many foreign teachers who've never taught before learn to teach within 1-2 weeks.
Apply online: To find your perfect job in China
OR Apply via:
Recent Teaching Jobs in China
All jobs in China
| Id | Title | Salary | Location | Hours | Housing | Students | Type | |
Job 10939    |
Head Teacher Needed in Training Center in Shanghai, Up to 23000RMB per month, start in August 2019 | ¥23,000CNY to 23,000CNY /month. | Shanghai Shanghai, China | Work 5 days, two days off(not at weekends); About 40 hours a week, 8 working hours per day. | housing allowance is provided | Training center (Children) | Full time | Apply Details |
| Job 10938 |
German teaching in Middle school in Sanshui district, Foshan, Up to 14000RMB with free accommodation, start in August 2019 | ¥14,000CNY to 14,000CNY /month. | Sanshui Foshan, China | Monday to Friday, weekends off; Total 40 working hours a week, no more than 23 classes a week | free accommodation is provided | Middle school | Full time | Apply Details |
| Job 10937 |
Near Shenzhen! Up to 22000RMB per month! Teach English in Public Primary School in Dongguan, start in September 2019 | ¥15,000CNY to 22,000CNY /month. | Dongguan Dongguan, China | Monday to Friday, 8:00am-11:30am; 2:00pm-5:00pm; weekends off; | free accommodation is provided; | Primary school | Full time | Apply Details |
| Job 10936 |
Teach English in kindergarten in Baiyun district ,Guangzhou city , Up to 17000RMB with work visa ,start in September 2019 | ¥17,000CNY to 17,000CNY /month. | Baiyun Guangzhou, China | Monday to Friday , Weekends off. | accommodation will be provided | Kindergarten | Full time | Apply Details |
| Job 10930 |
Up to 20000RMB! Teach English in Training Center in Shanghai, start immediately | ¥15,000CNY to 20,000CNY /month. | Shanghai Shanghai, China | Working hours are about 40 each week, 8 working hours per day. Two days off per week. | not provided, school offers help with finding an apartment | Training center (Children) | Full time | Apply Details |
| Job 10929 |
Near West Lake! ESL Language Teacher in Hangzhou,Zhejiang,Up to 20000RMB ,start in August 2019 | ¥15,000CNY to 20,000CNY /month. | Hangzhou Zhejiang, China | Working hours are about 40 each week, 8 working hours per day. Two days off per week. | 2000rmb per month housing allowance is provided | Training center (Children) | Full time | Apply Details |
| Job 10928 |
ESL Language Teacher Needed in Ningbo,Zhejiang,Up to 20000RMB ,start immediately | ¥15,000CNY to 20,000CNY /month. | Ningbo Zhejiang, China | Working hours are about 40 each week, 8 working hours per day. Two days off per week. | 2000rmb per month housing allowance is provided | Training center (Children) | Full time | Apply Details |
| Job 10927 |
Near Hong Kong! ESL Language Teacher in Nanshan,Shenzhen,Up to 20000RMB, start in August 2019 | ¥15,000CNY to 20,000CNY /month. | Nanshan Shenzhen, China | Working hours are about 40 each week, 8 working hours per day. Two days off per week. | 3000rmb per month housing allowance is provided | Training center (Children) | Full time | Apply Details |
All jobs in China
Further reading
China's main cities for teaching english