Getting the Right Chinese Visas to Teach in China
The visa application in China can be a little involved and a bit daunting for those unfamiliar with the process. It is very important that it is done the right way and you have the right Chinese working visa - the last thing you want is to be turned around at the airport and told to leave the country and reapply because you don't have the correct documentation. We will arrange the correct Chinese visa you need and walk you through the process. What will be required of you is first to make sure you have a valid passport that is not due to expire while you will be teaching, and the other necessary documents that we will need, such as any educational certificates (degrees, diploma), photos, resume, a copy passport details page and probably your medical report. The employer sponsorship documents will be supplied by us. If there is anything else you will need we will tell you.
What sort of visa will I need to teach in China and how do I get it?
Depending on the teaching period you will be going for there can be a number of different Chinese visa options. Once we have assessed your application we will tell you which is the most appropriate for your unique situation and guide you through the right process so that you have the appropriate visa. It is very important that you apply for the right visa to teach in China as embassy and consulate staff are notorisouly unhelpful and unfriendly. Generally speaking there are one key visa type you can teach under in China, "Z" (working category visa). we will supply you with the necessary documents to take to the nearest consulate or embassy.
Note: Some recruiters for China advise teachers to enter on a tourist visa. We don't recommend this unless you are absolutely certain you will be teaching for a government school and are being recruited through the proper channels. Occasionally we do recommend this for some teachers but it is only when there is limited time and if suggested by one of our Foreign Expert Bureau partners. If you are duped by a shoddy Chinese into teaching in a private school without the necessary documents you can end up in more trouble than it is worth. Possibly even have your name black listed and not be allowed back into China for a period of time.
"Z" working visa is like the deluxe of Chinese working visas except it requires added documentation and official government stamps, checks and approval. It is the visa of choice for government schools and institutions and is typically a 12 month long visa. Government institutions prefer the Z visa as it is longer (12 months) and they have less difficulty navigating the Chinese buraucracy to obtain official documentation required.
Once all the necessary paperwork has been obtained your China visa will not take long to process. Depending where you are, we will have the official documents sent to you either from us or directly from the school - sometimes they are faxed or emailed as attachments for you to print off. You then simply take these documents to your nearest Chinese Embassy or consulate along with the application form and apply - typically you will get the visa back within a few days or a week. If it is needed in a hurry an extra fee can usually be paid and you will receive the visa the next day. You pay for the processing fee which is usually the same price as a normal 30 day tourist visa.
What is a 'Residence Permit" and do I need to get one now?
A Chinese residence permit is something you only need if you are going to teach in China. It is essentially an identity card which helps the Chinese government keep tabs on foreigners staying in China for extended periods of time. After you arrive and have settled in you will be asked to visit the nearest police station where you fill in a form, supply two photos and obtain your residence card. It is a good idea to keep it with you at all times in case someone official looking asks to see it. If you move to a new location you should go through the same process and obtain a new residence permit for the new city or region you are living.
Chinese Embassy and Consulate Websites
To see a complete list of ALL the visa types there are for China go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC You will find a list of your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate offices in your country here:
America: www.china-embassy.org
Canada: www.chinaembassycanada.org
Australia: www.chinaembassy.org.au
New Zealand: www.chinaembassy.org.nz
UK and Northern Ireland: www.chinese-embassy.org.uk
Republic of Ireland: www.chinaembassy.ie
South Africa: www.chinese-embassy.org.za
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