To qualify for a working visa as an English Second Language teacher in China, teachers need to meet a number of criteria as set out by the Chinese work visa requirements:

· Bachelor’s Degree

· 120-hour TEFL certificate OR two years of verifiable previous teaching experience

· Clean criminal record

· Hold a passport from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, or USA

If you meet the criteria above, you are eligible to obtain a working visa. If you haven’t completed the TEFL certification yet but meet the other conditions, you can go ahead and start applying and interviewing with the schools, with the understanding that you will not be able to apply for a visa before the certification is completed and attested.

Teaching English is more challenging for those who do not hold a passport from the above mentioned seven countries. This, unfortunately, is a visa requirement across China rather than a requirement by individual employers. There are still some opportunities, particularly for teachers with experience or great personal credentials but be prepared to expand your job search and be flexible on location.

A great option to consider is teaching a classroom subject other than English. There is no passport requirement for a work visa, provided you have two years of teaching related experience. A degree in a classroom subject is also highly sought after and may put you ahead of other candidates.

Warning: Never accept an offer from an employer looking to bring you over on a tourist visa or a business visa in order to ‘speed up the process’ and ‘apply for your work visa later’. This is illegal. You will find yourself in a very difficult situation with no legal protection. The regulations have changed a lot in the recent years and severe consequences have been introduced for both the teachers working without the correct documentation and the schools who employ their staff illegally.

If you would like to get in touch with us directly to get advice on your options, please email your CV and any questions to  china@eurusrecruit.com.