– In many areas of China, foreign teachers must now be physically present at the police station when their schools apply for their residence permits. In the past, it was often acceptable for the school’s foreign teacher representative to turn in the necessary paperwork without being accompanied by the teacher. We are also being told that teachers are being asked more questions than before about their lives and plans in China.

– In some parts of China, it appears that the fees associated with acquiring a residence permit/work visa have doubled since the Olympics.

– Contrary to rumors that have been posted on this site (and others), there is no policy that prohibits the issue of a foreign expert’s certificate to a non-native speaker of English. However, we are hearing from teachers and schools that the government seems to be a little ‘picky’ these days. A friend of mine who heads up the foreign teachers department at an English training center recently told me that if the foreign expert’s bureau determines that a person’s accent is too strong and that they would not be a good English teacher, it has the right to deny that teacher a foreign expert’s certificate. She told me that recently, an Indian-American woman was denied an expert’s certificate because her English skills were deemed as too weak.

If you are working for a school or training center that has a good relationship with the local police, you should have no problems. Just remember to always be polite and act grateful when you visit with the police.

If you have questions or comments about the visa situation in China, please leave us a message below.