Part Time Work

[WAITEY]

Can someone advise how it works if I want to live in China and work occasionally?

I have a British passport and will be staying with my Chinese wifes family.

Can I work on a "family" type visa or do I have to get a work visa?

I dont want to be stuck in a job I dont like, so plan to work as and when I want on a hr by hr basis. But without a contract job I cant get a work visa?

Hope that makes sense.

[markshark83]

Legally no. people do and the consequences can lead to deportation.

to legally work you have to get a company sponsor you and get the work and residence permit.

[aprilz]

However, there are a lot of English teachers working in China under a tourist visa. It's tricky. If you got caught, you might get deported.

[roddy]

The chances of being deported when you've got a legitimate reason for being in the country - a wife - are surely ridiculously slim. A much more likely scenario is a talking to and signing a 'sorry, won't do it again' statement.

[kdavid]

I have a British passport and will be staying with my Chinese wifes family.

As the spouse of a Chinese national you're eligible for unlimited one-year tourist visa renewals. Check with your embassy on how to go about arranging this.

If you want a work visa, you'll need to find a sponsor.

You can teach English. However, some companies/schools may be unwilling to sponsor your for a visa if you're not working full time (18+ hours a week). They will also most likely require you to sign a six-month to year-long contract. If you breach the contract, you could be fined and your visa will most likely be canceled.

Therefore, you may find yourself "stuck" in a job, though hopefully one you'd like.

[WAITEY]

Thanks for all the responses. A few questions arise from the answers.

As the spouse of a Chinese national

She now is a British national. Didnt want to lose the Chinese nationality but dual nationality is not allowed

Will I get the 1 year visa via the in-laws?

What about my Children...they model (little cuties ) and have been paid for it in the past...would they get deported/need a work visa???

Does it count as work if you dont get paid cash? I teach "a friends" kids english as a "favour", they by me a TV as a "gift" etc?

Or what if I "helped" in my "in laws business" and they "looked after me" during my stay?

A lot of grey areas there, but wonder has anyone been there/done that?

Thanks again.

[kdavid]

Will I get the 1 year visa via the in-laws?

I can't say for sure, but I'd have to lean towards not likely.

What about my Children...

They would also need visas, unless they currently have dual citizenship.

Does it count as work if you dont get paid cash?

Any official who is going to bust you isn't going to bust you for working on a tourist visa, but for over staying your tourist visa.

Or what if I "helped" in my "in laws business" and they "looked after me" during my stay?

I'm not sure how it works with non-school companies, but I'm going to assume they have to go through a process similar to that of language schools.

Basically, any school in China (or at least in the province I live) that wants to hire a foreign teacher, technically must pay the government a down payment of several hundred thousand RMB. This is to ensure that if something were to happen to the foreign teacher, medical or otherwise, the school could pay for it. This is part of the registration process that allows schools to issue work visas for foreigners.

Many schools are unwilling, or unable, to pay such a large sum of cash up front. Therefore, many (most?) schools in China are unable to issue work visas.

I bring this up because if your in-laws were to sponsor you and your family, they may need to go through such a process and pay such a registration fee.

Even if you were to work full time at a school, only you would be issued the visa, leaving your wife and children prone to fines, incarceration and possibly deportation.

Most westerners can get a 90-day tourist visa without a problem. Most tourists in China can extend their visa at their embassy for an additional 30 days. I'm not sure how long you plan on staying in China, however this may be your best bet on avoiding any penalties.

I also recommend you directly contact your embassy and speak with someone who is a knowledgeable professional on these issues. A lot of the comments and help you'll get here are, though based on experience, perhaps not proper "legal" advice (myself included).

[simonlaing]

Don't worry so much about the nay sayers.

English teaching work for native speakers or caucasians is still plentiful. And most will pay you each week in Cash no questions asked.

There are lots of schools that will give you a visa as well. Including universities which will give you as little at 12 hours a week if you look for the right school. Private training places like you to bust a gut at 24 teaching hours which is tiring.

Be careful not to advertise that you are an illegal english teacher and you'll be fine. Around the Olympics the authorities were annoying about giving more than 1 extension on tourist visas or 6 month F visas. So if you can deal with the visa issue come on down.

have fun,

Simon:)