redhapengyo:

I support your answer, however, most employers and cities now don't consider a BA or a master's degree from a native country for nonnatives applicants. I strongly disagree with the one-country system, some cities are like living in 2018, regulations-wise. I had different answers from different recruiters. I wish what you said was true though.

icnif77:

Yeah, I might be out of touch with the real situation in China at present time. I exited China in June, 2017, but ...

Rules for WP, Z visa and RP later on are centralized across China. Employer can file WP application and more only online. No province or city can overrule that and issue Working permit to a non-English native foreigner unless they do some shady paperwork ...

Now, the laowai ETs you know are not from a native English country and they're working as an ETs in China, they for sure don't have a legal RP for stay and work. They most likely have F visa and employer can easily renew it inside of China.

I've worked for such an employer, once (2010 or so ...).

A few days before 3-M F visa expiration, employer asked me for my passport and returned my book after a less than a week with new 3-M F visa stamp. Heavy guanxi was involved ...

As all that happened, I've never left the classroom ...

Employer name was Helen Group from Hangzhou ...

To be sure, non-English native teacher have or don't have a legal RP, you should ask him/her to show you the passport, but I know you've never done that. You made an assumption they're working legally with valid RP and all, but that ain't true!

Considering non-native English teacher with a degree from the native English country ... that is a provision in a Chinese Labour law since LTA (before 2009 ...), and most employers aren't aware of that, but once you (non-native ET) clearly outline that, possibilities of legal employment are there.

Always use a bucket of salt with what recruiters are telling you ... 'cause all their statements will change later on with this or that excuse.

Remember, recruiters are paid to make the foreigner come and work in China.

danielskyle141:

This is the most amount of wrong information I've ever seen in one answer. Literally, every province in China and sometimes even different cities have completely different rules for work permit and visa. The only rule centralized is having a degree. For example: Xi'an, Changsha, and Zhengzhou offer English Teaching work permits and visas to non-native speakers if they majored in English OR hold a 120 hours TEFL/TESOL

icnif77:

Yeah, that might be true, i.e. non-native English passport holder with BA in English can be eligible for WP in China, but still English schools must reason with the Foreign Expert Bureau to issue WP to such a foreign teacher ...

My point is "... rules for obtaining English teaching WP are centralized across China ...".

You can find about that from any search engine ...

I ain't going to ask you how many such teachers you know that are legally working in China 'cause I tell you, there aren't many ...

By my non-English native ET experience, it is/will be a wasting of time trying to get ET job just about anywhere in the world, i.e. you're going to spend money by trying and in the end you'll have to give it up ... Countries I've worked and tried as an ET were China, Russia, Armenia, Turkey and in S. of EU the last.

I tell you, it's wiser for non-English natives to stay home than try ...

sorrel:

Unless you are Chinese you are unlikely to even be considered as a kindergarten teacher unless you were also there as an English kindergarten teacher. My reply did not mention the words "English teacher" so my initial comment still stands

Or are you fluent in Chinese?
Again, you are unlikely to even be considered as you would be competing against thousands of Chinese people.

sorrel:

in addiiton, the Chinese kindergarten curriculum is competely different from that of any European country.

I would suggest looking for work in Europe, Africa, South America - basically any other country than China. 

icnif77:

"... just kindergarten teacher."

Did you ever think about how many of Chinese citizens are capable of doing this job? ... even without any of the education ...

There are currently around or more than 1.4 Brazillion Chinese ... The number of Chinese residents in total will help you determine your chances at getting a job.

The other thing is, Chinese kidz don't understand English ... with exception of my 2-years old baby students, which I nick-named 'niau-niau'

..., what stands for "I have to go pee ..." in Mandarin ...

Little babies were keep repeating 'niau-niau, niau-niau', so it stick ... 

icnif77:

OP isn't an English teacher and doesn't look for the position in China in such capacity.

OP only has a western Kindergarten teacher, nanny education.

Your both listed certificates are pre-school students English teaching certificates.

You didn't read OP's post ..., you niau-niau  

icnif77:

Thanks for the correction of my nannying around ... 

This is an English education ... to teach English.

I've worked at Montessori school in Tianjin ... in 2010 or 11.

These two certificates are honestly of no workable value to a non-English native teacher ... 'cause everywhere around the world, English teacher with Montessori cert. must be a native English speaker ... to get a work.

icnif77:

https://www.internationalteachersplus.com/post/teaching-english-in-china-what-are-the-visa-requirements

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.

The passport must also have one blank page left in it. You must have filled out and truthfully verified a completed China Work Visa Application Form.

*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.

Everybody here knows, my search engine is the bestest ...

... and more ... yer non-English native chaps, they must lie, otherwise they'd admit they're working illegally ...

annata0215:

There are very few cases of such luck

icnif77:

https://chinabyteaching.com/teaching-english-in-china/am-i-eligible-to-teach-in-china/

1. Your Nationality

You must be from one of seven approved countries – UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & South Africa

2. You must be a native-English speaker

Very much tied to the first rule, and this one makes more sense, right? If you want to teach English to Chinese students, you’d better have a great grasp of the language.

Saying that there is scant evidence to suggest teachers from French Speaking Canada or South Africa who speak English as a second language have problems getting a working visa.

3. You must hold a Bachelor’s Degree

China has also decided it wants a certain foreign teacher to work there – one with a Bachelor’s Degree. The significant news is, however, that the degree can be in any subject. It does not need to be teaching or English-specific at all. There are exceptions for those with higher diplomas but only if they are considered to have the same weight as a bachelor’s degree on your national qualifications framework.

4. You must have recognised and accredited TEFL certification – Teach English as a Foreign Language

A TEFL certificate is one of the fundamental requirements to teach English in China in 2023. This is best gained online with one of the many agencies that offer world-class courses. TEFL certification is reasonably affordable and is the best first step into a wonderful teaching career, anywhere in the world.

5. You must have a CLEAR Criminal Background Check from your home country

China doesn’t want any foreign criminals or those who have committed crimes previously in its midst. We guess this is fair as well. To apply for a Z Visa, you must present a Criminal Record (also called a Police Check) that shows you have no priors.

This also includes minor infringements. If you have any record of an offence in your home country or country of previous residence, you cannot get a working visa.

6. You must be between 18 and 60 years of age (men) and 55 (women)

This is the working-age bracket for Chinese teachers, so foreign workers must also abide by them.

Chinese schools will be quite blunt in the age bracket they desire. Typically, they will seek teachers who are at least 25 years old (especially if they want teachers to have loads of experience in the field) and perhaps not older than 45.

7. You must pass two Medical Checks

China wants to ensure you are fit and healthy to teach in the country. Primarily, the country wants to ensure applicants don’t inadvertently bring illnesses into the country.

The medical check will screen not just for general health but also for things like HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

The first Medical Examination usually takes place when you’re applying for your Z Visa – so you do this through a certified medical facility in your home country. As soon as you arrive in China, you’ll undergo a second medical check.

Here are some of the most common exceptions:

*If your Bachelor’s Degree is in English literacy but you don’t have TEFL certification, you can apply for an exemption.

*If you don’t have a lot of practical hours under your belt but found a job that doesn’t require it (say, a kindergarten), you can apply for an exemption to #5. The ‘practical’ requirement is subjective to each job offer so peruse them carefully. For the most part you can get a job with a degree and TEFL, even if you have no experience.

*If you are qualified to teach in your home country, have a Bachelor’s Degree and at least two years experience, you can apply for an exemption. This means that non-native speakers can teach in China. You will find qualified teachers in this situation working for top international schools

*Also, you won’t need to have TEFL certification to teach a subject OTHER than English, so you can also apply for an exemption here too.