Acquiring a Visa to teach EAP in China is becoming more and more complex. In the last two years, new restrictions were brought in for working in the state HE sector, whereby tutors need to hold a passport from a predominately mono-lingual Anglophone country (i.e. not Nigeria or Holland).
Z Type. This is the most common, but only allows a stay of 30 days from the date of arrival in China, during which time you and your employer must seek a Temporary Residence Permit for the duration of your contract. This requires a work permit from the Chinese employer, and usually takes at least 4 weeks to be issued.
F Type. Intended for foreigners who are invited to conduct a lecture, an investigation, or for scientifi c and cultural exchanges. The duration of stay is normally 30 days from the date of entry. This type of Visa requires an invitation letter.
R Type. This is easy to obtain, free, and very fast, and it also facilitates obtaining a work permit and residence permit. This is the type of Visa that Krzanowski entered China on for his current post at Brunel University London in Chonquing. However, it is only for highly-skilled individuals who are badly needed – “ELT rock stars”. The employer in China must argue the case to prove that you are highly talented and eligible for the R type.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TEACHING IN CHINA, SEE:
■ Britishcouncil.org. (2016). Report: The Scale and Scope of UK HE Transnational Education | British Council. [online]
■ Chou, C. and Spangler, J. (2016). Chinese Education Models in a Global Age. Singapore: Springer Singapore.
■ Moloney, R. and Xu, H. (2016). Exploring Innovative Pedagogy in the Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Foreign Language. Singapore: Springer Singapore, Imprint: Springer.
