Hi guys.
My name is Josh and I am currently on a round the world tour by bicycle, and I have been in China for the last two months. Since arriving in China I have decided I would really like to teach English for a year here. I need the money to continue my trip next year and I would love to learn more about the country and language.
So, I have been looking at teaching jobs for the last few days. I have been offered a position with a company called METEN. I have looked them up and they seem fairly legit.
I am currently in China on a two year tourist visa. To apply for a work visa I would need to get my original degree certificate and criminal record check sent over from the UK, then make a trip to the British embassy of in Hong Kong to apply for the visa. This whole process, including the work visa processing time will probably take at least two months. METEN have told me that it will be legal for me to start work and be paid on my tourist visa, as long as they give the relevant authorities notice that they have applied for my work visa.
Has anyone here had experience in a similar situation and can tell me that this really is the case? I certainly can't afford to wait for my work visa to be granted before I get paid, nor do I want to work illegally.
Also, for my accomodation, METEN have said that I would need to pay 3 months rent upfront plus a deposit, and that this is standard in China. I am highly reluctant to pay so much money upfront when the job may not work out. METEN could tell me they didn't think I was suitable after all after a few days, or my work visa application could end up being rejected a couple of months down the line etc. Can anyone advise me if there are teaching jobs in China where the accomodation is provided as part of the salary, and no deposit or other set up costs are required?
Any advice is much appreciated, thanks a lot, Josh
Applying for teaching work in China on tourist visa
Moderator: Joe
Re: Applying for teaching work in China on tourist visa
A two year tourist visa? Are you serious? It takes months to get 30 day one!
Anyway, no, it is not legal to work on a tourist visa, under any circumstances.
Again no, money or a deposit upfront is not standard anywhere. The company should be providing you free accommodation (and no deposit). Accommodation is always provided, plus medical insurance, food allowance, holiday air fare, free internet . . .
Once you have the paperwork done, which the company should do for you, you go to the Chinese Consulate in Hong Kong. A reputable company will pay for all the costs (including travel) involved, or reimburse you.
You would have to sign a contract, so it’s not a case of either you, or the company ‘trying it out’ to see if you’re suitable.
I’ve never heard of Meten, but from what you’re telling me, stay well clear. :roll:
Search http://www.seriousteachers.com/ for jobs and if you’re serious, PM me and I’ll give you the name of the company I work for (Inner Mongolia). You’ll need to be Caucasian, under 55, with two years experience and a TEFL certificate.
Anyway, no, it is not legal to work on a tourist visa, under any circumstances.
Again no, money or a deposit upfront is not standard anywhere. The company should be providing you free accommodation (and no deposit). Accommodation is always provided, plus medical insurance, food allowance, holiday air fare, free internet . . .
Once you have the paperwork done, which the company should do for you, you go to the Chinese Consulate in Hong Kong. A reputable company will pay for all the costs (including travel) involved, or reimburse you.
You would have to sign a contract, so it’s not a case of either you, or the company ‘trying it out’ to see if you’re suitable.
I’ve never heard of Meten, but from what you’re telling me, stay well clear. :roll:
Search http://www.seriousteachers.com/ for jobs and if you’re serious, PM me and I’ll give you the name of the company I work for (Inner Mongolia). You’ll need to be Caucasian, under 55, with two years experience and a TEFL certificate.
Personal blog: https://johnvasiateacherblog.forumotion.com
Re: Applying for teaching work in China on tourist visa
The visa I have is a two year multiple entry visa, with a maximum stay of 90 days per entry. When I first went to China in 2013 I had a 30 day visa and anything longer was hard to get. Now the two year multi entry visa is the only one the visa center in London will issue, I have no idea why.
So, after doing my own research it seems that it is illegal to work on a tourist visa, contrary to what METEN told me. However it seems that some people come to China to teach on tourist visas and then apply for a work visa later simply because the work visa takes so much longer to get. It seems that the authorities are sometimes willing to turn a blind eye to this. However not having a legal visa will leave me very open to exploitation by the school, who will know I can do nothing if they pay me late or break my contract in some other way.
As far as the flat and deposit are concerned it seems that paying a deposit and three months rent upfront is standard in private rentals in China. METEN do not own the accomodation for the teachers, they just help their teachers find it through private landlords. I have emailed METEN to say that I cannot afford to pay so much upfront and they have said they can help me find alternative arrangements such a flat share.
However after discovering that it is definitely illegal to work on a tourist visa I have grave doubts over the whole thing...
So, after doing my own research it seems that it is illegal to work on a tourist visa, contrary to what METEN told me. However it seems that some people come to China to teach on tourist visas and then apply for a work visa later simply because the work visa takes so much longer to get. It seems that the authorities are sometimes willing to turn a blind eye to this. However not having a legal visa will leave me very open to exploitation by the school, who will know I can do nothing if they pay me late or break my contract in some other way.
As far as the flat and deposit are concerned it seems that paying a deposit and three months rent upfront is standard in private rentals in China. METEN do not own the accomodation for the teachers, they just help their teachers find it through private landlords. I have emailed METEN to say that I cannot afford to pay so much upfront and they have said they can help me find alternative arrangements such a flat share.
However after discovering that it is definitely illegal to work on a tourist visa I have grave doubts over the whole thing...
Re: Applying for teaching work in China on tourist visa
Off the top of my head, China deported around 4,000 ‘teachers’ in 2015. Most deportations are for fraud; degree copies and recently a special department was set up in Beijing especially to track foreigners. In other words, they’re cracking down. Having said that, if you follow the rule book there’s nothing to worry about – and it’s a big rule book, a lengthy process. Yes, some do teach on tourist visas and get away with it for a while, but it’s a risk . . .
The thing to understand is that private ‘schools’ will hire anyone, because if you break the law on employment, it’s not the school who suffers the consequences, it’s you. Yes, you’re right, working illegally leaves you at the mercy of these ‘schools’.
Some schools have their own accommodation, others will pay you a rent allowance and find you a place, but they pay if they employ you, not you.
Don’t be too put off by all this, there is a process you need to go through and the first stage is a contract between you and the company and if you accept and sign, the company prepares the mountain of paperwork needed, sends you off to Hong Kong where you get your 30 day ‘Z’ visa and then the company have 30 days to convert that into a residency visa (PSB) and work permit (Foreign Ministry). At the end of the day, it’s illegal to work anywhere on a tourist visa. Yet do it right and it’s a great life.
The thing to understand is that private ‘schools’ will hire anyone, because if you break the law on employment, it’s not the school who suffers the consequences, it’s you. Yes, you’re right, working illegally leaves you at the mercy of these ‘schools’.
Some schools have their own accommodation, others will pay you a rent allowance and find you a place, but they pay if they employ you, not you.
Don’t be too put off by all this, there is a process you need to go through and the first stage is a contract between you and the company and if you accept and sign, the company prepares the mountain of paperwork needed, sends you off to Hong Kong where you get your 30 day ‘Z’ visa and then the company have 30 days to convert that into a residency visa (PSB) and work permit (Foreign Ministry). At the end of the day, it’s illegal to work anywhere on a tourist visa. Yet do it right and it’s a great life.
Personal blog: https://johnvasiateacherblog.forumotion.com