Worked in China on tourist visa? (Or know someone who has)
Discussion
As per title. I am especially keen to hear from anyone who has taught English in China (huge demand) on a tourist visa (due to low supply of qualified teachers for proper working visas).
It seems that many people risk it (up to 260,000 teachers according to Chinese stats). But I'd like to get some real-world feedback.
(Not considering this for me, but a niece is!)
It seems that many people risk it (up to 260,000 teachers according to Chinese stats). But I'd like to get some real-world feedback.
(Not considering this for me, but a niece is!)
I agree with you both. One's Google-Fu doesn't need to be very good to find enough scare stories. As with any undocumented workers, you're at the mercy of any scumbag (employer, boyfriend, etc) who knows that you can't call the police due to your status.
For sure, I think the answer is clear, and I'm not advising my niece to do it. I'm doing a reality check for someone who thinks it solves a lot of her problems here.
For sure, I think the answer is clear, and I'm not advising my niece to do it. I'm doing a reality check for someone who thinks it solves a lot of her problems here.
Probably better to try in Việtnam.
I know a few expat teachers and I’ve been approached while sitting in Crazy Girls on Bui Vien Street to see if I wanted work as an English teacher.
The better schools appear to be like the Canadian School here in HCMC.
The wages seem to vary but some do earn a good wage. Others are just chancers and I feel sorry for the students.
I know a few expat teachers and I’ve been approached while sitting in Crazy Girls on Bui Vien Street to see if I wanted work as an English teacher.
The better schools appear to be like the Canadian School here in HCMC.
The wages seem to vary but some do earn a good wage. Others are just chancers and I feel sorry for the students.
Escapegoat said:
I agree with you both. One's Google-Fu doesn't need to be very good to find enough scare stories. As with any undocumented workers, you're at the mercy of any scumbag (employer, boyfriend, etc) who knows that you can't call the police due to your status.
For sure, I think the answer is clear, and I'm not advising my niece to do it. I'm doing a reality check for someone who thinks it solves a lot of her problems here.
You may be better placed to explicitly advise her NOT to do it... A few years ago, maybe, but the whole China vs the West is not pretty at the moment.For sure, I think the answer is clear, and I'm not advising my niece to do it. I'm doing a reality check for someone who thinks it solves a lot of her problems here.
I definitely would NOT risk working in China without a visa.
I have a 2yr multi-entry business visa for China and they're still very keen on rigorous checks when I arrive/leave (although some of the stamps in my passport from other places won't help). I can only assume they're even more diligent with work visas, or lack of.
Of all the places you might risk not having the right visa, China shouldn't be one of them.
If she wants to do it, do it properly.
I have a 2yr multi-entry business visa for China and they're still very keen on rigorous checks when I arrive/leave (although some of the stamps in my passport from other places won't help). I can only assume they're even more diligent with work visas, or lack of.
Of all the places you might risk not having the right visa, China shouldn't be one of them.
If she wants to do it, do it properly.
Thanks, folks.
Elatino1 said:
A friend did this. After 8months or so he developed an infection and couldn't work. They wouldn't let him leave the country for medical care and basically made him stay there and work whilst agonisingly ill until his contract was up.
Out of interest, I presume that he also couldn't use the state health care system due to his unofficial status?
k would you want to work there!Escapegoat said:
Thanks, folks.
I don't know all the details, just what he told me. He said it went from being a great experience to feeling like a prisoner trapped abroad.Elatino1 said:
A friend did this. After 8months or so he developed an infection and couldn't work. They wouldn't let him leave the country for medical care and basically made him stay there and work whilst agonisingly ill until his contract was up.
Out of interest, I presume that he also couldn't use the state health care system due to his unofficial status?There is a good YouTube channel about a South African guy who moved to China, married a Chinese woman and he vlogs on China extensively. He has seen a big shift in the last 12-24 months against Westerners, IIRC.
https://www.youtube.com/user/serpentza
https://www.youtube.com/user/serpentza
vaud said:
Elatino1 said:
A friend did this. After 8months or so he developed an infection and couldn't work. They wouldn't let him leave the country for medical care and basically made him stay there and work whilst agonisingly ill until his contract was up.
Were they holding his passport?Mr Pointy said:
They wouldn't necessarily need to hold his passport if an exit visa is required as it is in Qatar. Basically you cannot leave the country unless your empoyer agrees & processes the paperwork.
Ah. Every day is a school day - thanks. Another reason not to visit and try to play the system. Sounds like a route to detention and extensive foreign office headaches.
There is no free state health system. You have to pay and the admin at each hospital is different. At one we had to register for a ID type charge card. This is on the basis of being a resident but not a local to the province. The hospitals are huge sprawling complexes and you have no idea what's going on and where to go. Good luck finding your way if you don't know the language.
edc said:
There is no free state health system. You have to pay and the admin at each hospital is different. At one we had to register for a ID type charge card. This is on the basis of being a resident but not a local to the province. The hospitals are huge sprawling complexes and you have no idea what's going on and where to go. Good luck finding your way if you don't know the language.
Thanks - useful ammunition. I also presume that a UK-based travel insurance provider would not cover someone while working in China. (Or at least not at the competitive rates you get for holiday travel.)There's nothing wrong with wanting to work, live, travel to or explore China. Just do things the right way and you will be fine.
In the UK people grumble about illegal workers etc. Just don't be a hypocrite. If you are going to cheat the system just don't expect the system to help you when you need it.
Travel insurance is just that. You will get rumbled when you are passed out at a school and the ambulance service talk to the locals to understand your situation.
In many respects the health system is more advanced than here. I was able to rock up with the help of some local relatives and get treatment for minor things quite simply. Had I done it on on my own I would have no idea.
In the UK people grumble about illegal workers etc. Just don't be a hypocrite. If you are going to cheat the system just don't expect the system to help you when you need it.
Travel insurance is just that. You will get rumbled when you are passed out at a school and the ambulance service talk to the locals to understand your situation.
In many respects the health system is more advanced than here. I was able to rock up with the help of some local relatives and get treatment for minor things quite simply. Had I done it on on my own I would have no idea.
Escapegoat said:
Thanks - useful ammunition. I also presume that a UK-based travel insurance provider would not cover someone while working in China. (Or at least not at the competitive rates you get for holiday travel.)
It's not so much the 'working' that would be the issue, but the length of the stay, I think. If you are doing a long trip then you need cover specifically for that scenario.But in any case, most travel insurance claims would involve government agencies in one way or another (medical help, victim of crime etc) so being there illegally wouldn't help things.
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