The China Teaching Web

*** A Special Update from Robert Vance about Visas for ESL Teachers in China on TeachAbroadChina.com. Please click here for MORE information and discussion about work visas in China.

In the last few days, I have received information from a few sources about the current situation for ESL Teachers and Chinese Visas as the Olympics fast approach. Here is what I have learned:

From a teacher in a large city in Southern China: “Four ESL teachers were arrested this week and held by the police for an afternoon after their place of work was ‘raided.’ All of the teachers held valid work visas but were still detained and questioned. According to the source, the teachers were released later in the afternoon.”

Another teacher from Western China has this to say: “We are being told by management that all foreigners (including non-teachers) should keep a low profile during the Olympic games. The Chinese police are targeting foreigners because of the Olympics. The management suggested that teachers should not be ‘hanging out’ at popular places where foreigners usually hang out. Even if you have a valid work visa, you may be taken in for questioning.”

From our supervisor at the school where I work: Our supervisor had a special meeting with the foreign teachers to ask us to always carry a copy of the front page of our passports as well as a copy of our work visas. He said that it is NOT a good idea to carry your original documents with you because there have been recent episodes of ‘fake’ policemen detaining foreigners and stealing their passports.

What do I say?: Do not be paranoid but do be on your guard. If you are ‘picked up’ by the police for any reason, cooperate with them and remember that the atmosphere in China right now is a little tense because of the Olympic Games. While I do not suggest that you lock yourself at home, it may be a good idea to avoid doing things that bring a lot of attention to yourself. Use common sense.

If anyone has any information to share with us about the current situation for ESL teachers in China, please leave us a comment below. We want to hear from you.