What's the requirement to be an ESL teacher in China?

     If you want to find a teaching job abroad to live and work legally, China will be a fantastic opportunity for you with lower living costs and affordable payment. However foreign teachers are required to get a work (Z) visa to work legally. If you are hired by a school,  the employers must to help you apply the work visa, ensuring that you are working legally in China and their school. 

     Since the visa policy in China changed a lot in 2017, it became more and more strict to be a foreign teacher in China, especially for non English native speakers.

     However, different provinces have different specific "friendly visa policy" according to local expert bureau. Hereby there are some general requirements for foreigners who want to come to China to teach.

1) Many schools prefer teachers with age from 24 years old to 55 years old. If you are more than 55 y.o, you might be required to provide detailed health check. 

2) You should have at least bachelor degree or above.

3) For ESL teaching postions.  There is no major limits for native speakers. If you are non natives, you should major related in English or education；For Subject teaching ( such as math, physics, chemistry etc) postions: Both natives or non natives should be majored with related subjects. 

4) You should have clear non criminal report from your country, it should be authenticated by Chinese embassy.

5) You should provide medical check to show that you are good in health.

6) You should provide at least two years related teaching reference letter. If you cannot provide, then TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate is a must. If you have a professional teaching license such as PGCE (Postgraduate Certification in Education)  You will get more opportunities and higher pay.

7) You might love China and its culture, have the passion in educational industry, can adjust new environment.