New VISA Rules in China

Posted by & filed under Asia, East Asia, International Education, Tutorials.

Changing times in China for Foreign Teachers

The world is fast evolving and with China moving at phenominal rates of development, naturally it is raising its standards of education.
Asia has always been a great destination for foreign teachers to work.  Foreign teachers need a Z visa to secure employment which was stuck in the passport granting them permit to work.  It was only language schools and government schools licensed by SAFE that were allowed to take on foreign teachers.  Schools that are less than 12 months old are not allowed to apply.
From the end of 2010 and throughout 2012, there have been some significant changes in the policies and criteria for granted visas.  Prior to 2008, foreign teachers had to meet 2 of the 3 criteria’s:
  • Do you have a degree?
  • Do you have a teaching certificate?
  • Do you have at least 1 years teaching experience?
Times are now changing and now the regulators are saying if you don’t have a degree you can NOT teach!
In addition below are the following changes as well:
  1. There is now an age cap to teach in China.  In the North & South of China need to be under 60 years old.  In the East the age cap is 55.  Employers can make a special application for renewal but visa application for NEW teachers over the age limit will NOT be accepted.
  2. Teachers that are TOO YOUNG will also not be accepted.  Teachers just out of post graduation MUST have 2 years experience to get a Z-Visa.
  3. School used to ask teachers to come on a tourist visa (L-Visa) and then have it converted upon arrival.  This was standard practise.  Foreign teachers must have a Z-visa BEFORE arriving
Doing your research is important to prevent working for a BAD Chinese school
The level of vetting that teachers need to go through will also be changing.  Some schools ask to see original degree and teaching qualifications and others are asking to show a criminal record check.  The level of security will raise in China as it will get more and more difficult to get into thriving China.
The team at SeekTeachers HIGHLY recommends all international teachers or teachers wanting to go China for the first time not only meet the criteria above but also have the following documents at hand to prevent ringing any security alarm bells and banging your head against a brick wall, trying to teach in China:
  • Passport
  • Degree Qualifications
  • Teaching Qualifications
  • Police clearance from home country & last country (if travelling)
  • 2 References on letterheaded paper
Documents may also be required to be attested, if you need assistance with doing so we are able to help you attest documents for China.