What are the requirements to work in China?

A working visa, also known as a Z visa, as well as other papers, such as a work permit and a residency permit, are required for foreigners who want to work lawfully in China. People who plan to work in China are given the Z visa. In most cases, the recruitment agency or school will gather the relevant paperwork from you and lead you through the procedure. For a complete list of prerequisites, check with the employment agency and the school.

The procedure of applying for a work visa (work permit) in China is quite similar to the process of applying for a work visa in any other country.

Work Permit Requirements for TEFL Teachers in China with the Z Work Visa

Foreigners who want to work as English teachers in China must satisfy the following requirements.

Non-Criminal Record

Local police departments and the FBI are two places where you may receive a criminal record check record.

a good state of health

An approved hospital may provide a medical exam.

At least a bachelor's degree

TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification or two years of teaching experience.

Education or English majors are free from the need of a teaching credential or experience in the classroom.

Language and Country of Origin

A native English speaker from one of the aforementioned nations, such as the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or South Africa is required to apply for an English teaching position in China.

Foreign English speakers who have at least two years of demonstrated teaching experience outside of the seven nations listed above may teach in China, but not English topics.

The age limit

If you're under 18, you can't play.

The Legal Obligation to Work

Contract for one year of work

Entry into China Requirements and Procedures

Accept the job offer as a teacher.

Notification of a Work Permit (15 business days)

Applicants for the Z visa must submit an application (5 business days)

Apply for a work permit for foreigners in China within 10 business days after arriving in the country.

Once you've arrived in China, fill out an application for a Work Permit (7 business days).

Here is a list of all the paperwork you'll need to submit for a working visa.

U.S. nationals

a scanned color copy of the passport page with the ID

Expiration date on passport should be within the next six months.

There's still one blank sheet to stamp in there.

This is a recent headshot of the subject in front of the camera.

The picture has to satisfy the specifications. 2 × 2 in. is the standard.

a letter of recommendation for foreigners Permission to Work (obtained from recruiting agency or school)

Requests for a copy of your employment history may be made.

If you have worked as a teacher for at least two years, you will need to provide a letter or certificate of employment verification.

TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification are the most common forms of teacher certification.

A report from a hospital's basic medical checkup.

Once in China, you may be subject to an extra medical examination. Here is a Shanghai health check app.

Investigative report verified by the FBI or the nearest US police station

Get a criminal background check from the FBI or a local police station. Only those with clean criminal records will be considered for this position. The document's results may be seen online and sent through mail.

In order to get a "authenticated" FBI non-criminal document, send the FBI permission document to the Office of Authentication at the US Department of State in Washington, DC.

First, submit an application to the Chinese Embassy in D.C. after receiving the certified FBI non-criminal paperwork. Then, the Embassy will set a day for you to drop off your paperwork immediately. As a result, we'd need to engage an agency to do it for us, as most of us don't live in DC itself.