Comments on: A November Update on the Work Visa Situation in China

By: Dr. Laurence J. MacDonald Phd

Dr. Laurence J. MacDonald Phd — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:44:28 +0000

I’m 65, soon to be 66 however, i am very physically fit and as a result, am teaching at a university in Chongqing. As codger and Robert state, there are no firm fast rules about age limitations in China. I found it a little difficult getting a position merely by sending in my resume and documents but once i physically met with the school officials, it was easy. Laurence

By: Old Codger

Old Codger — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:54:22 +0000

There are no firm age requirements for a general visa. Experience seems to be that people over 60 may have trouble finding a job with some schools, however have heard of an old guy about 80 that is still teaching here.

Old Codger

By: Gita

Gita — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:38:01 +0000

Is there an age limit for getting a work visa in China?

By: Dr. Laurence J. MacDonald Phd

Dr. Laurence J. MacDonald Phd — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:18:09 +0000

Look, lets straighten up things, first of all, i agree with ol codger, a person 22 in no way can be called an expert. I write for a Beijing magazine that is distributed throughout universities and colleges around china and recently did an article called “Ripping off China” about shoddy agencies in china that hire ANY warm body that can speak English. the one i worked for several years ago hired two recent high school grads and tried to pass them off as 24 year old university grads. Further, they hired two Africans and tried to pass them off as Americans. People…this is not a way out of your country because you cant seem to make it there, you need some expertise, you need at least a degree from university. Merely because you can speak the language, does not mean you can teach to the Chinese students. think before you take this step.

Laurence

By: Jones

Jones — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:16:16 +0000

@Robert

Honestly, my wife and I are in our second year of ESL teaching in a public
middle school and we wanted to stay here for another year. However, our
school cannot give us the assurance if we could still teach for the third year
or not. They said that they wanted us to stay but it will depend upon the
Education Bureau if they will approve it or not and we don’t want to be left
hanging after our contracts end by September this year. So I guess we need to
start looking for another school if ever we will not be rehired.

I just want to take this oppurtunity to thank you for establishing such
a wonderful website. We really find it very helpful – the articles, forum, and
specially the Free Enjoy English ESL lessons that we are using with our
students.

More power to you!

Jones and wife

By: Robert Vance

Robert Vance — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:38:12 +0000

@Jones,

To my knowledge, there is no such policy on the national level. I personally know teachers who have been teaching at the same place for 5+ years.

That’s not to say that an individual school might not have that policy but I am guessing that it is an excuse used by schools to let a teacher go, as you suggested.

By: Jones

Jones — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:21:50 +0000

I’m just curious if anyone has heard about a policy wherein foreign teachers
in public schools here in China are only allowed to teach for two years
in the same school. I’ve heard some news about this and have confirmed that
some foreign teachers needed to move to another school after completion of
two years teaching in their school. I was just wondering there might be other
reasons for the school letting them go, and just telling them a foreign teacher
cannot teach in the same school for the third year. Thanks

By: Old Codger

Old Codger — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:10:56 +0000

You will discover throughout Asia that policies do tend to change quickly, and are not always followed in the same way from province to province or city to city.

Officially, the work permit in China is called a “Foreign Expert’s Certificate.” Someone aged only 22 can hardly be called an “expert” in most circumstances. I am much older than 22 and there are times that I question whether I am an “expert” in my chosen profession. Personally, for teachers specifically, I can support the concept of no one under at least 25 being a teacher in any foreign country.

Ultimately, policies have relaxed since the Olympics, but it is probably that they are not as relaxed as there were prior to the Olympics. Ultimately, it’s their call. Working in China is a privilege, not a right.

Old Codger
Nantong University
Business School
Nantong, Jiangsu

By: pen

pen — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:10:14 +0000

My application for a visa to work in Dalian, China got turned down due to new government policies relating to “issues pertaining to age”. (I’m 22.) I was also told that work visas can only be obtained in one’s native country, so as far as visas are concerned, I don’t believe that policies have relaxed since the Olympics. If anything, visa policies have gotten even stricter, at least where people under 25 are concerned.

By: Robert Vance

Robert Vance — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:30:02 +0000

@Old Codger,

Thanks for the comments. It is amazing how rumors spread amongst foreign teachers in China. I’m just happy that things are back to at least a ’semi-normal’ state.