Teaching in China offers an excellent opportunity to build a rewarding career while experiencing life in a new country. If you’re planning to teach in China, there are certain requirements and regulations that you need to know about. Being well-informed ensures a smoother process and increases your chances of securing a teaching role. This article will guide you through the eligibility, guidelines, and key requirements needed to prepare for teaching jobs in China.
Work Visa for Teaching in China
You will need a Z-Visa to work legally as a teacher in China. The Z-Visa is the only visa type that allows you to work in the country and is a mandatory requirement for employment. Your prospective school will assist you in obtaining the required paperwork and navigating the application process. However, teaching in China, especially subjects like English, requires meeting additional criteria to qualify for a work visa, which we’ll outline below.
What kind of English teaching jobs can you find in China?
There are a variety of different teaching jobs, each one
with its own requirements and guidelines. Here’s a list with some of the most
common options when you want to teach English in China.
Training center TEFL jobs are those teaching opportunities
where you work with k12 students (kindergarten and primary school students), teenagers
or adults. These jobs usually require you to work in the afternoon/evening but
also during the weekends. With small class sizes, and more often than not, lesson
plans provided by the school, making is it a great stepping stone for new
teachers.
Public school jobs are very common, and there’s
plenty of demand for English teachers in China. You will usually have a
schedule from 8 AM to 4 PM during the weekdays.
International Kindergarten jobs typically involve a
Monday-to-Friday work week from 8 AM to 5 PM, supporting children aged 2 to 6
in their learning journey alongside two or more teaching assistants. Most international kindergartens
do prefer teachers with a degree in early childhood education and/or relevant teaching experience.
International and bilingual school jobs typically require a teaching
license and relevant teaching experience. In this case, you will be teaching children from expatriate families, local Chinese families or both. These jobs have higher requirements, but they also bring in
better income and benefits when compared to other type of schools.
University jobs are also available for those
interested in teaching English in China. These positions typically involve
fewer weekly teaching hours but require higher qualifications; most
universities prefer candidates with a master’s degree or higher, though
specific requirements may vary by institution.
Eligibility Requirements for Teaching English in China
Obtaining a Z visa—commonly referred to as the Chinese work visa—requires fulfilling several specific conditions. These criteria include nationality and age, as well as qualifications, among other key factors. They ensure that applicants are suitably qualified to live and work in China under the country’s employment laws. However, exceptions exist, and nuances in the rules might apply based on individual circumstances, which we’ll clarify later in this guide.
Nationality
To teach English in
China, you must be from one of seven approved countries: UK, Ireland, US,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. These are the only
nationalities officially recognized for English teaching roles, as they are
native English-speaking countries.
However, due to the high demand for English teachers in China, the authorities will allow natives from other countries as well, where English is the official language. It’s best to check with the local authorities in the city or province at the time of your submission.
Bachelor's degree and above
Anyone who plans on getting teaching jobs in China needs to
have a Bachelor’s degree.
While that can be restrictive, the upside is that your
Bachelor’s degree doesn’t need to be related to teaching or English—though it
definitely wouldn’t hurt if it were. Additionally, your degree doesn't need to
be from your home country; it can be from anywhere in the world, as long as
it's recognized as valid in the issuing country. Employers are generally
flexible about the field of study. However, there’s a catch: some higher
diplomas might be accepted if they’re considered equivalent to a bachelor’s
degree under your country’s qualifications framework.
While having a degree is non-negotiable, the specifics of where or what you studied are generally not as important as ensuring you have a recognized diploma.
Recognized and accredited TEFL certification
Having a TEFL certificate is absolutely a must for teaching
English in China. The great news? You can earn your certification online through
trusted TEFL providers, and it’s usually quite affordable. A
valid TEFL certificate isn’t just a requirement, it’s your gateway to an
exciting teaching career in China and beyond.
When you research English teaching certifications, you will
usually find three main certifications; TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA—each with its
own purpose and advantages. Let’s break them down to help you decide which is
best for teaching in China:
- TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language): This is the go-to certification for teaching English to non-native speakers abroad. It’s ideal for landing a job in China, as TEFL certification is specifically tailored to teaching in foreign countries and qualifies you to work with learners of all ages.
- TESOL (Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages): With this certification, you can teach both abroad and in your home country to non-native speakers, such as immigrants. While you can still get a Z Visa and a teaching job in China with a TESOL certificate, some employers prefer TEFL certification.
- CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): Offered by Cambridge University, this course focuses heavily on theory and practice, primarily aimed at teaching adults. While CELTA is a robust qualification, it’s not as commonly sought after for teaching jobs abroad, including in China.
What’s the best option for teaching in China?
If your goal is to maximize opportunities in China, TEFL certification is your best bet. It prepares you to teach students of all ages, is widely recognized by employers, and is the most economical option compared to other certifications. Keep in mind that for teaching roles in China, you’ll need a 120-hour certificate (a course totaling 120 class hours). While TESOL can work, and CELTA is highly regarded in specific contexts, TEFL remains the most practical and cost-effective choice for aspiring English teachers in China.
Age
Chinese authorities have specific age requirements for
teaching English in the country, particularly when it comes to obtaining a work
visa. Teachers must be between 18 and 60 years old to qualify for the visa,
ensuring they meet the legal working age and retirement limits. However,
schools and employers often prefer candidates aged 25 to 45. This preference is
based on the assumption that individuals in this range typically bring a good
balance of energy and teaching experience, which aligns with the demands of the
role (e.g., working with young children).
It's always best to check with the school to confirm if there are any age restrictions or requirements.
Clear criminal background check
China takes background checks seriously to ensure the safety
of students and staff. To secure a Z Visa, you’ll need to provide a clear
criminal record check, sometimes also called a police check, from your home
country. Please remember that background checks are only valid for 6 months
from the date of issue and must be notarized and apostilled for use in China.
Find out how to obtain a Criminal Record Check in your home country.
Medical checks
Prioritizing the health and well-being of foreign teachers,
the health check helps minimize the risk of illnesses being introduced into the
country. That’s why you need to pass a medical check before you can teach in
China. As soon as you arrive in the country, you will go undergo a detailed
medical examination. The examination will focus on specific conditions, such as
hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV and so on, but also general health issues.
Some schools may request that you complete a medical check in your home country before traveling to China. This health check is typically required to ensure you are fit to begin work immediately and free from infectious diseases that could impact obtaining a valid work permit. While this requirement is not always tied to official visa purposes, certain employers may insist on it as part of their hiring process.
Valid visa and work permit
To work legally as a teacher in China, you must have the
proper visa and work permit issued by your school. Working without the right
documentation is risky, as authorities, particularly in major cities, are
cracking down on illegal employment. This can result in fines, detention, or
even deportation.
Having the correct paperwork is crucial for staying compliant with the law and enjoying a smooth teaching experience in China.
Visa requirements exceptions
For the most part, the requirements are pretty much set in stone. But certain exceptions can arise, based on the situation, city, and province. Some of these exemptions include:
- When you are qualified to teach in your home country, have 2+ years of experience, and have a Bachelor’s Degree, you can ask for an exemption. That way, even if you’re a non-native English speaker, you can still teach in China.
- Experience isn’t always required, but it’s on a per-job basis. Some employers will be ok with hiring newcomers, even if they have little to no experience.
- If you have a Bachelor’s degree in e.g. English literacy, you don’t need a TEFL certification.
- Also, you don’t need to have a TEFL certification to teach a subject other than English.
China still offers plenty of teaching opportunities for both
new and experienced teachers. At eChinaCareers, we have hundreds of teaching jobs available from reputable schools in China at any given time. Understanding the country’s visa requirements, planning
ahead, and knowing what to expect are important to not be overwhelmed by what is
often considered a complicated process.
Check out our article of best cities to teach in China in 2025!
