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Teaching In China without a Degree
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scottkendrick
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I have recently found a blog on a webiste that I thought was quite interesting http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081221030853AA9YpUw 

If you follow this blog you will notice that someone has advised he didnt have a degree and that he actually bought a work visa from the Government in Beijing (approved by the Government). Could anyone else please advise if they have heard of this? Is this possible.

Thanks

Scott

Elly
Studying in Brisbane, Australia right now. Plotting the next adventure.
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I suspect some rules were being broken here

but RV might be able to add further to this.  It is possible to find work and you can slip under the radar but I suspect risky.

scottkendrick
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Interesting Stuff

Thanks Elly,

I thought it seemed strange. Anyways im trying to apply for jobs with schools in China at the moment. It seems some might even offer me a job without a degree, and some dont even mind if I havent completed a TEFL yet. I might have to travel on an L or F visa. Im not sure the differences between theses visa's. Having said that I will be sure to ask if they are certain of getting me a reasident visa as im aware i cant get a z visa without any degree. Hopefully If all goes to plan I will be with you all and working in China as of August as I have alreadyd ecided on leaving my sales job in Birmingham, England.

Scott

Robert Vance
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Buying a visa?

When it comes right down to it, we all have to 'buy' a work visa in China. I have to buy one every year - cost me 800 RMB this year.

Like I have said before, you won't have a big problem finding a teaching job in China without a degree. Your options will be more limited but you will be able to find a job.

I know personally know of university teachers who have no degree who have been teaching for years. It just depends on how much the school needs you.

You can get a residence visa without a degree. You just need to find the right school that can help you.

I would not recommend working here on an 'F' visa or 'L' visa as teachers have been detained for that.

scottkendrick
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Buying A Visa?

Dear Robert,

If the school brings me out on either an F or L visa but promise me they can get me a work permit, do you think that is good enough?

Thanks

Scott

Robert Vance
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The official answer to your

The official answer to your question is no. The Chinese government requires teachers to have a Z visa when they enter the country if they want to work.

The reality, however, is much different in many parts of China. Many schools can apply for you to change that 'L' or 'F' visa into a work visa. I've seen it done many times.

You just need to make sure that the school starts on that the moment that you are employed. You don't want to be caught working with a tourist visa. As long as the school is in the process of making the switch, you can work. 

You also need to make sure that the tourist visa is issued from the city where you will be working. Some of these big English training center chains give visas to teachers that were issued by the city where the headquarters are located. That doesn't work. You need to have a valid working visa for the city where you are living.

Rin
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Teaching without a degree.

Hello,

I am teaching in China without a degree. I came on a business visa, then travelled to Hong Kong with the work permit and invitation letter. Got my Z visa, and returned to my city and exchanged it for a residence permit. Be sure your school has a lot of 'guangxi' they need it if you don't have a degree.

Robert Vance
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Thanks for sharing Rin! Very
Thanks for sharing Rin! Very helpful information. It's good to know that it can be done like that. Did you travel by yourself to HK or did the school send someone with you?
Rin
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Yes, I would of liked...

...info like that before I came. So, if it can help someone, cool!

I actually came to China with my boyfriend, so we went together. However I think I would of had to go alone if he wasn't here.

I could have done all the stuff in England but I wanted to come to China sooner. I did casual work for two months on the F visa, then got the medical.. 360 RMB. Would have been £300 easy in England. Then just before term started, we went to HK. We stayed for a few nights, but there is an express service for a fee, you'd still have to stay one night minimum at least. We paid $HK450 each for the standard time visa service, but prices are different for different nationalities. I am a British citizen. We put it in Monday afternoon and picked it up Thursday. I'd advise against going on a Monday, waiting is horrendous!! If you want the standard service, go Tuesday latest so you can collect Friday. They close 12-2pm. We got there at 12.01pm and had to wait til 2!! HK is expensive, but, if you're lucky the school may help with funding...? We stayed at a grotty guesthouse for 200RMB a night, but obviously hotels would be significantly more. $HK600 a night per person. It was as I said a bit grotty, but fun! we got to see HK too!

Much better than doing the visa process in England in my opinion! :)

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