Getting a Z Visa at 21 years of age?

[Dan12]

Hi everybody

 

I've recently been looking at getting an ESL job in China, however, getting a Z Visa seems to be a bit of an issue for me, as legally, you're required to be at least 23 years old.  I met many people younger than 23 in China who were legally working there when I was there back in June & July, but from what I've read, things have gotten considerably stricter since September 2013.

 

I've been looking for jobs in Beijing, and almost all of the job ads that I read/have responded to, have stated that 23 is the minimum age to work, and the ones that I've contacted that do seem willing to let me work, all seem to offer F (or is it now called M?) Business visas instead, which allows me to stay in China, but doesn't allow me to legally work.  I really don't want to work illegally, as I'm planning on spending quite a long time in China if possible, and I don't want to end up getting deported and banned from the country.

 

Is there any way of obtaining a Z visa in Beijing at my age?  If so, how?  If not, are there any other provinces/cities in China where you know for sure that the rules are more relaxed (and are still relaxed, as of September 2013)?  Qingdao would be my second choice, but I've heard that it's also quite a strict city in terms of working there...

 

If anybody could go even further and recommend me some good schools that they know grant Z visas, that would be even better.

 

Oh, and I'm a native English speaker from the UK with a Bachelors degree, but I do not have a TEFL certificate or teaching experience, but the latter two points don't seem particularly important for finding an ESL job in China anyway...

 

Any help at all would be GREATLY appreciated.  Thanks.

[ChTTay]

You will probably need to work in a less popular city if you want a chance of getting a Z visa. As its harder for "them" to attract foreigners they can sometimes bend the rules.

I would get a TEFL certificate though. I would say t hat is important, even if it is just a piece of paper to show the authorities. Most just get an online one or a short term intensive one.

[kdavid]

As its harder for "them" to attract foreigners they can sometimes bend the rules.

 

 

This is spot on.

 

Someone can get it done for you. Cast a wide net.

[Dan12]

Ok, that's good news anyway.  Are there any cities that anybody could recommend me where people know that it's easy to get a Z visa?

[ChTTay]

I wouldn't look at going to a city because someone told you it's easy to get a z-visa... You might end up anywhere or be led on.

I would just look at cities away from the East Coast. I worked in Yinchuan and loved it. At the time, they had a few teachers who would not normally meet the requirements.

Also, just because we mention not working somewhere like Beijing. You shouldn't necessarily give up on bigger cities or provincial capitals... Just look for ones that aren't firmly established as a foreigner destination.

There are a few threads of places to teach on this forum. Also have a look at one about provincial experiences...

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/43323-how-provincial-has-your-china-experience-been/#comment-323645

[Dan12]

Ok, thanks for the suggestions.  It'll be a bit annoying if I have to end up picking a city away from the East coast though, because I haven't visited too many cities away from there, but the thread you linked me to seems quite informative.

 

I'd still like to hear some news of people under the age of 23 getting a Z visa within the past few months though, fingers crossed.

[kdavid]

You can stay on the east coast, but likely just not in large cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, etc.

 

Tier 2 cities are certainly a strong possibility.

[geometry]

I'm not sure about Beijing, but it's definitely possible. I'm 22 with a Z-visa in Xi'an, which is quite a nice city. Although it's not on the coast, it's a historical city that has a layout unlike other Chinese cities and is also large enough to find Western things that you're looking for fairly easily. 

[ChTTay]

I'd like to live in Xi'an.

My friend worked for a school called Aston there. The reviews of them online are awful but I worked at that franchise for a bit (in another city, almost 2 years ago) and found it fine.

Anyway, as geometry says, the layout and city in general is nice. A good mix of old and new, western and Chinese.

[Dan12]

Thanks guys, I'm glad that it's at least possible for me.

 

I just had an interview for a job in Suzhou.  The job sounds pretty good, but they want me to fly to Beijing and complete a TEFL course there, then fly to Hong Kong to apply for a Z visa (something about it being difficult to get a Z visa in the UK due to my age or something?  I've asked her to clarify a few things via email), and then fly to Suzhou to start teaching (they said that they would pay for all of this).  Does this sound dodgy at all?  People have always told me that it's important to get a Z Visa before getting to China, but getting one in Hong Kong is different.  It's not like they're saying the old "we'll sort it out for you in China" thing, since I won't even be able to get back into China without getting my Z visa in Hong Kong.  Is it definitely even possible to get a Z Visa in Hong Kong nowadays?  Does it all sound safe to you guys, or should I look elsewhere?

[Minigin]

上有天堂，下有苏杭

 

suzhou is a great city, i wouldnt be too worried about how sketchy it all sounds, thats just how china is. obviously dont put yourself in a position where you find yourself completely at someone elses mercy, but that being said even if you do find yourself in such a position its unlikely youll be taken advantage of. 

 

hope it all works out for you. 

[minettsamuel]

Any updates on this? I am in a very similar situation being 21, however I will have a CELTA TEFL and i'm coupling my application with my girlfriend who fits the full Z visa criteria including age etc.

Really anxious to go out without a Z visa, so far have been offered a place with Shane in Dalian but on an F visa. The school sounds great but again, anxious about the visa situation.

What are the implications of getting 'caught out' etc?