Work/visa in China

[checodelacueva]

Hi.

I'm Mexican, and I don't speak a word of Chinese, which, I'm sure, will make my start a little coarse, but what I'm mostly concerned about is, what are the chances that once I'm there I'll be able to find work, or if I can get legal advise in order to get a working visa?

I'm sure not all of the foreign residents over there came in and started working legally, or am I wrong, and it is actually very difficult to find work for illegal immigrants? Are there any kind of considerations towards people from certain nationalities (like mine)? Legal advisory possible and effective?

I'd like to take advantages of the changes going on over there now, as it seems that no matter where I go, I'm always "late". I have a strong inclination towards business, but I don't have the strong economy usually required (at least not in Japan, where I am now) to self-sponsor myself. I don't hold any certificates whatsoever. I speak English, and could teach (and actually have experience doing it) it to up to intermediate levels, Japanese (between intermediate and advanced), French and Spanish. So, my idea is to come and work teaching while I find a way to start my own business, importing and exporting stuff, open a restaurant, a language school, etc.

Any chances for me? Any ideas will be much appreciated.

By the way, I just joined, and I've enjoyed much reading your posts so far. Thanks a lot.

[Senzhi]

To be fair and honest with you: go for the Spanish part, as I assume you're a native speaker. And China seems to adore anything 'native'.

I can't/won't comment on anything 'illegal' though ...

[soncek]

pretty much in the same position here. my advice - don't be too optimistic about getting a job, it's not easy to earn enough for a carefree living, if you are not a native english, at least when it comes down to teaching english. i have experience in teaching two foreign languages, lived in uk for several years, did my degree there, and i am really fluent, but there's a tiny problem, i don't hold a british passport... well, it is not problem for being a family teacher, but i would consider this to be more an extra earning, because the hourly rates are not that fantastic, and shanghai is not that cheap city! so i would rather bet on your spanish, since you're native there...

about visas - i'm here currently on a tourist visa, and officially it is impossible to change a tourist visa into a working visa in china... officially... but i know couple of cases that somehow, with an appropriate approach, it is possible...

no idea about legal issues, or opening your own company or restaurant... but anyway, good luck!

[lilongyue]

There are hundreds of Mexicans studying Chinese in my school in Hangzhou, but I don't think any of them are working on the side. Last semester one of my mexican classmates was planning to do business in China. I'm not sure if she had already started, or was waiting until her Chinese was better.

It's true that native speakers are preferred, but I know a lot of non-native speakers who are teaching English (like Africans and Europeans). As far as teaching Spanish is concerned, I'm not sure how much demand there is. A company I translate for asked me to help them find Korean and Japanese teachers. There seems to be a real need for teachers of those languages, but they didn't say anything about any European languages. I don't think anyone would want a Mexican Japanese teacher, though. There are a lot of Japanese in China.

If you're able to speak English, French, Spanish, and some Japanese, I would try find work in an import/export company. People who speak two or three languages are useful for contacting businesses. If you have business experience that would help too. Don't worry too much about the visa issue. If you have the money, you can come over on a tourist visa, look for work, and if you find a good company that can supply you with a work visa you can make a trip to Hong Kong to change your visa.

[gougou]

Also follow this thread about non-natives teaching English.