Getting a visa to teach in China

Steps for getting a visa to teach in China

You need to get a work visa to allow you to teach in China. The process is relatively straightforward but it can take time.

Once you’ve accepted a job offer and signed the contract, follow the steps below. Please note, however, that requirements for some provinces and schools can differ, so please check with the school every step of the way.

1. Get your documents together

Compile the following documents:

Degree certificate

TEFL certificate (if applicable)

Criminal record check

Medical check (in some cases)

Current passport

Passport-style photos

Resume

Reference letter

2. Get some of your documents legalized

Your degree certificate, TEFL certificate (if applicable) and criminal record check must be legalized.

You need to get these documents:

notarized by a notary public

authenticated by the foreign affairs department of your country, and

stamped by the Chinese embassy to get them legalized.

3. Email the documents to your school

Scan each of your documents, including the legalized ones, in high-quality colour and email them to your school.

The school will then work with their provincial government office to arrange the foreign expert confirmation documents to be sent to you.

4. Submit your visa application

Once you’ve received the foreign expert confirmation documents, submit your visa application to your local Chinese embassy or consulate. Visit the Chinese embassy or consulate’s website for the application form.

When you complete the application form, make sure you apply for a ‘Z’ visa. This kind of visa allows you to work in China.

The visa application will incur a fee, which you will need to pay. The cost varies depending on your country.

Make sure you advise us and the school once your visa application has been successful.

You need to provide your documents to a notary public. These people are senior legal practitioners who prepare, attest, witness and certify legal documents for use overseas.

Note that services provided by a notary public will incur a fee.

You need to submit your documents to the foreign affairs department of your home country. Click on the relevant link for your country’s requirements for authentication.

Note that government authentication services will incur a fee.

Avoiding visa hassles

Don’t leave home without a Z visa in your passport. The Z visa is the only legal working visa.

There could be processing delays at the provincial government office (Step 3) or at the embassy or consulate (Step 4). That’s why it’s important to allow plenty of time to get your visa organized.

Chinese authorities strictly enforce penalties for entry and exit visa violations.

If you overstay your visa, you could be up for a 500 RMB fine for each day overstayed (up to a maximum of 5,000 RMB) and/or detention.

The period of detention can range from 5 to 30 days depending on the severity of the violation. So it pays to keep track of your visa dates!

As visa and other entry and exit conditions can change at short notice, you should always contact your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Arriving in China

All foreigners working in China are required to register their place of residence with the local public security bureau (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival. The PSB is a government office which acts as the local police station.

Your school will take you to the local PSB. Many schools do this straight after picking you up from the airport.

Remember to keep your passport handy, as your details will be noted by PSB personnel.