Teaching English in China: What are the Visa Requirements?

Teaching English in China: What are the Visa Requirements?

Are you good at English communication? Is it easy for you to explain or teach concepts in a constructive manner?

Do you consider your English skills as excellent? If you answered yes to the previous questions and you love traveling, we have the information you need to know.

Teaching English in China is an exciting way to travel to the Far East and earn income when you do it. We are going to share some relevant information about how you can start teaching English in China.

Teaching English in China doesn't only allow you to help students learn English. It also opens up a new and exciting world to you.

International Teachers Plus (ITP) wants you to learn about this exciting trip abroad. All while doing something you love - teaching English. The rewards of teaching English in China are unlimited. 

Teach English in China

We have found five countries which are considered to be the best countries to live in while teaching English to students. They are;

  1. Bahrain
  2. China
  3. Qatar
  4. United Arab Emirates
  5. Other Middle Eastern Countries

If you are involved with any social media sites, you have seen or read about teaching English as a second language while living abroad. 

It is a common reaction to want to learn more about these unique and exotic teaching opportunities.

We are a teacher recruitment agency expert for teaching opportunities abroad. We provide teaching experience and jobs for our teachers through our teacher-employer partnerships.

Our Teacher-Employer Partnerships provide services founded on understanding and respect for all.

Other teacher recruitment agencies cannot duplicate our services. That is because we are unique, innovative, and always perfecting our partnership services. 

Why Should You Teach English in China?

Teaching English in China provides more than you can imagine. Here are just a few of the benefits of teaching English in China;

  • The job pays very well. You can earn up to $3,000 a month.
    • In the United States, that may not seem like much. In China anything at or above $3000 per month you can not only live very well, but you can also save money.
    • Also, full-time teaching in China is between 12-20 teaching hours per week. This number of hours varies, but 12-20 hours is the average.
    • Most teachers can make up additional hours with supplemental tutoring or conversational groups.
  • You can learn a new language that can be used in other jobs as you grow and develop your teaching skill sets in China.
  • Sometimes you don't even have to be trying to learn Chinese when you live there. It is the immersion into the society which helps you acquire the language.
  • There is nothing like providing teaching help and tools for students who want to learn.
    • The rewards are unlimited while touching your heart.

Teaching in China

If you decide you want to learn more or even begin teaching in China yourself there is a system we have which can help streamline the process.

First and foremost, you need to know the various types of schools we work and place our English teachers.

The school types range from kindergarten to universities. They include, but are not limited to;

  • Kindergarten
  • Boarding or private schools
  • Private tutoring assignments
  • Universities and college level departments
  • Media, freelance writers, educational 'other' services and more

Each one of the above school types offers certain amenities or accommodations for our teachers.

They understand you are coming from overseas to teach English, so they make sure to offer certain benefits.

For instance, accommodations are sometimes provided to our English teachers coming from overseas. This may mean being paired with a local family during your teaching stay. 

Sometimes our English teachers coming from overseas are given a housing allowance. Sometimes the teachers are placed in existing accommodations.

Airfare to and from China is often paid for or reimbursed. There are even teaching English in China jobs which have health insurance and paid vacation time.

China Work Visa Requirements & Documents

There are employment visas available for teaching English in China. To work legally in China, most citizens from any other English-speaking country will need a "Z" Visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate.

It is important to understand that any teacher coming from abroad to teach almost any subject must have a "Z" Visa.

Some of the China Work 'Z' Visa requirements are;

  • The age limit for Z visas is between 18-60 years of age. This is flexible, but this is the normal range.
  • You must have a valid passport from your English speaking country (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa). This passport cannot expire for at least six months.
  • A Bachelors Degree or more which is verified by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
  • Criminal History Check which can be done through the FBI, DBS, etc. The Chinese Embassy or Consulate also verify this.
  • You must have 120-hour Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate. 
    • If you are already a TEFL certified or are a licensed teacher in your country, you do not need any teaching experience. 
    • If your college degree is in Education or Teaching English, you do not need any work experience.
  • If you do not have the above certification or degree, then two-year working experience related to Teaching English in China is required. The two-year working experience will also be verified.

Medical and Incidental Documents Required for Teaching English in China

There is some incidental documentation you also need to have ready. Some of this documentation is for your health and medical background.

There are also some incidental items you need to turn in with the various documents listed above. They are as follows;

  • You must be healthy and have recent medical check documentation with you when you arrive in China or before.
    • Your medical documentation must be ready to go to the directed agency when you are directed.
  • You need about five passport photos or photos which meet passport standards.
    • They will be attached to the various applications and forms you fill out. It is best to have them ready when you need one per the document's instructions.
  • Your fee for the Z Visa application submission process.

In addition to the above, all teachers must get a residency permit in the first 30 days of getting to China for their jobs. 

Teaching English in China 

All foreign teachers who seek the residency permit we mentioned above need to work with their employer.

The Foreign Teacher Resident Permit is known as the 'Green Book' and is received from the Public Security Bureau.

To receive the residency permit even with the help of their employer, you will need the following;

  • Their originating country passport and 'Z' Visa.
  • An original health certificate/medical certification. This is given to the Beijing Exit and Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.
  • Two passport or passport standards headshot photos.
  • The official seal of the employer unit (known as the 'danwei') on the filled-out Application Form for Visa Residence Permit with one passport or passport standard photo.

If you are a foreign national teaching English in China, it is not recommended you switch employers. 

Of course, you can switch employers if necessary, but it is a complex and difficult process.

If you do need to switch schools or locations, you should address your questions to the Public Security Bureau in China.

Are There Specific English Teaching Needs in China?

There are approximately one billion people in the world who want to learn English.

In China, there are 300-400 million English language speakers or learners. 300-400 million English language speakers or learners is equal to the United States of America's population.

This makes China the English as a Second Language market to teach in. It has unlimited potential and opportunities.

There is one job after another available for teaching English in China. These jobs span private organizations specializing in age or subject to immersive 'au pair' teaching English in China jobs.

Once you add typical school types, advanced education universities, and more, there are more English teaching jobs in China than there is in other countries put together.

As a bonus, teaching English in China is done within their vibrant cities or intimate villages with 1000's of years of history. 

What Do I Need to Do Next for Teaching English in China?

You need to start the process if you want to teach English in China. We offer the best teaching English in China experience possible.

We do that through these listed standards;

  • We only work in reputable international schools and locations.
  • We have stellar and experienced teacher placement experts who work with you on obtaining a position that fits your wants and skill sets.
  • Our support is available to you when you need it and always ongoing from our very first interaction.
  • We offer our unique and one-of-a-kind HR and cultural orientation sessions. These sessions come with an information kit designed for your experience.
  • We help you obtain and receive verification of all the required documentation.
  • We keep active communication lines open for you to convey and follow-up with any questions.

We are one-click or one phone call away to answer your questions or start you on one of the most exciting teaching opportunities you will ever have.

China has thousands of years of history and culture to learn that is waiting for you. What's more, you get paid to visit the jeweled historical riches of China while you teach others what you already know - the English language.

The most wonderful and unique things about teaching English in China is you can find the job you want because there are so many to choose from. 

Don't wait one more day to explore China and open up your future to a new world. Contact us today!