Working in China 2021: useful instructions

Are we needed in China?

The working population in China is about 700 million people, and only 5% of them are mid- and senior-level specialists.
Unemployment is at 4.5%. Due to the “one family – one child” policy, which was carried out until 2015, a very small percentage of young people are replacing aging people of working age. Experts believe that by 2035, 30% of the republic’s population will be people over 60 years of age. That’s why foreign workers are welcome here, especially narrow specialists. But competition in the areas of low-skilled labor is also high among locals, so going to China to work as a cleaner or operator on a production line is irrational.

Employment in China attracts not only the high demand for foreign specialists, but also the low cost of accommodation and food. Moreover, local employers often cover the costs of housing, transportation, paperwork - and are generally quite friendly towards visitors.

But there are also difficulties. The Chinese work very hard: a standard working day lasts 10–14 hours, and annual leave varies between 10–15 days. Better conditions are available only for specialists with high qualifications that are in great demand in the country. You will also have to get used to the difference in mentality and everyday life.

Features of finding a job in China

Before you start looking for a job on the Internet, you need to study all possible vacancies and the conditions for obtaining them. In such a situation, reviews from those who have already been able to find work in China can significantly help.

The search for jobs should start with agencies, the official website of the embassy, ​​which can offer work for foreigners. In addition, relatives or friends who live in China or have experience working in this country can help.

Many people who want to work in the Middle Kingdom are more interested in culture, cuisine and the growth of the country’s economy. Not everyone strives to find employment with a high salary. Especially young people who are not very concerned about earning money fall into this category. She is interested in the experience and experience gained.

If we talk about vacancies for Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians and other representatives of the CIS countries, many of them relate to the field of education, industrial, chemical, space and IT technologies. The professions of translators, dancers, models, diverse artists, programmers, and teachers are considered quite popular.

There is plenty of work for girls in China. Vacancies can be not only in the entertainment and service sectors, but also in the cultural, educational and engineering sectors.

Finding a job is highly dependent on professional skills, education, personal qualities and knowledge of the Chinese language. Without these criteria, it is difficult for girls to find a decent job.

Requirements for foreigners

Language. Ideally, you need to speak Chinese at least at a basic level, since a very small percentage of the population speaks English in the country. Without this skill, the number of options is greatly reduced, but they still exist in the fields of teaching, IT, show business, and tourism. If you only have Russian in your arsenal, then all you can count on is to find an employer from Russia who works with the Russian-speaking sector (tourism, services).

Performance. You can go to work in China only if you are sure that you are ready to work really hard. Officially, the country has an 8-hour working day and a 40-hour work week with two days off. But, as we noted above, in practice, all these benefits are available only to highly qualified employees of large international companies.

For the average Chinese, the working day lasts 12 hours, and the only day off is Sunday. This is due to the fact that all standards on the length of the working day and week, vacation and overtime were introduced in China only in 1995 and have not yet taken root everywhere. Plus, not all residents know the specifics of the labor code, and therefore work as usual.

By the way, the working day in China begins very early - at eight or nine in the morning, and classes in schools start at seven o'clock. Therefore, the Chinese often have to wake up at five in order to get everything done on time, taking into account traffic jams.

The most promising locations for finding a job are large cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Kunming, Qingdao, Nanjing, Sanya, Haikou, Gonglin. Highly qualified specialists should pay special attention to these cities: there are representative offices of large companies and you can find vacancies with attractive salaries, working conditions and without the need to know Chinese.

The central part of the Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou

Tips for finding a job in China

• Start looking for a job early. Place special emphasis on monitoring social networks.
• Don’t hesitate to ask a lot of questions: about the work schedule, working conditions, payment frequency and specific rates. Take screenshots of correspondence.
• There are many scammers in the Chinese labor market. Therefore, when communicating with an agent, ask him as many questions as possible regarding the trip: who is paying for the flight, where you will live (preferably with a photo), how payments are made. If the agent is in no hurry to answer you or is vague, it is better to find another specialist.
• Remember that you can only work in China with a work visa - there are no exceptions.
• Set up a VPN in advance: Instagram, Telegram, all Google services are blocked in China.

Cooperation with an agent

1. Request an agreement that clearly states how much commission you will be charged and for what exactly. The list of services should be described in detail, and not designated by the general wording “information assistance.”
2. Study the agency group/website carefully, check the creation date, scroll through the news feed, reviews.
3. Do not pay any preliminary commissions for job selection: the agreed amount for services must be withheld from the first salary. Also, you should not be asked to pay for a list of vacancies: the recruitment of personnel is paid by the employer.

If you are interested in working in Europe, read the detailed instructions:

France, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Spain, Norway.

Job search resources

Social media

The most effective method. The most offers are on the Chinese Witchat network. But keep in mind that direct employers are rare here - mostly agents who charge a certain commission for their services.

Groups in VK

• Dancers, showgirls, artists - WORK IN CHINA
• Vacancies from the Gulou Group agency
• Work in China (for artists)
• Work in South Korea, China, Israel, Cyprus, Turkey
• Working as a teacher in China
• Work in China (artists)
• TEA: Working as a teacher in Asia. China, Vietnam, Thailand

FB groups

• Russians in China
• Work in China, Thailand, Philippines and Korea
• WORK_IN_CHINA
• Work in China

Reputable major agencies

• Hudson
• Clever Hunt
• China International Recruitment Agency

Job sites

• 51job
• eChinaJobs
• ESL Cafe
• Zhaopin
• ChinaJob
• JobinChina
• ExpatJobsChina
• Jooble
• 24ru.com
• SinoJob
• LayBoard

Employment Options in China

• Permanent. Requires an open-ended contract.
• Temporary. The contract is limited to a certain period. The most common vacancies are construction and engineering work. English teachers are usually hired for a period of at least a year.
• Seasonal. Applies to artists, workers in the service sector, agriculture, tourism, production lines. The duration of work is from two weeks to six months.
• Volunteering. The conditions include payment for housing, food, and medical insurance. The work involves renovation, landscaping, and caring for animals and the elderly. In Russia, the Sphere organization runs volunteer programs, and in Belarus, the League.
• Au Pair. International program for students aged 18–30 years. Young people live in Chinese families and teach children English. Monthly stipend $100–300.
• Internship. Lasts 3–12 months. Potential candidates are young people aged 18–30 who completed their studies no more than two years ago. Monthly stipend $200–600, various fields: tourism, services, IT, design, industry. You can find internship programs in China on the websites Learn4Good, Hutong School, Alt Center.

The contract with the employer must specify the salary amount and terms of payment, the specific position and place of work, conditions (vacation, hours of work, weekends), rights and obligations of the employer and employee. There are many scammers in the Chinese labor market, so all documents should be checked carefully, especially if you are a seasonal or temporary employee.

Consequences of illegal work

The Chinese authorities closely monitor foreigners coming to the country to work: they open a case against each arrival and, in case of suspicion, begin surveillance. If illegal work is detected, the first time the employee is fined $800, the second time $1,600, and the third time the employee is deported. The employer also receives a fine of up to $12 thousand. Therefore, do not agree to work without registration, even if it is a probationary period: there is a high risk that you will not receive any money and will not be able to contact the police.

For the same reason, take the preparation of all documents and visas seriously. It is prohibited to work in China on a tourist or business visa - otherwise you will go to jail and pay a fine of $800.

Average salary in Beijing

In 2021, the average monthly salary is 1.3 thousand US dollars. At the same time, salaries of highly qualified specialists in Beijing can reach $1,500. The minimum wage in Beijing is three dollars per hour and $300 per month. Salaries in Beijing increase every year.

You can find out about salary levels in China by following this link.

Average salary in China by province

Work permit

The procedure for applying for a job in China is standard:

• search for an employer;
• signing a contract;
• getting permission;
• visa application;
• obtaining a residence permit.

The Chinese employer is required to obtain a permit for each foreign employee. In this case, the main work falls on the migrant: he must collect a package of documents and send them to the employer. The employer creates a personal account on the website safea.gov.cn and submits documents through it.

The package includes:

• copy of international passport;
• certificate of successful completion of a medical examination;
• resume in English or Chinese;
• one passport size photograph.

If the vacancy requires specialization:

• educational documents (diplomas, certificates) along with a notarized translation into Chinese;
• a copy of the work book with translation to confirm work experience in the specialty;
• recommendations from previous employers.

A permit is issued for a specific type of activity. The application is considered for at least two weeks, but in practice the period can be much longer, since if there is even one minor error, the entire package is sent for revision.

How to get a work visa and work permit

Persons wishing to work in China under an employment agreement (contract) are required to obtain a so-called work visa.

Table: work visa categories

The main documents for obtaining a work visa are permission to hire a foreigner and a letter of invitation from the employer.

Permission to hire a foreigner is issued to employers after they have passed the accreditation procedure with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China.

An invitation letter is a document certifying the employer’s consent to hire a citizen of another state. To complete it, you must submit documents to the employer according to the list:

• resume in English or Chinese;
• scanned copy of a foreign passport;
• a scanned copy of the diploma and its translation into English or Chinese;
• color photograph size 3*4 cm;
• a scanned copy of the work book and its translation into English or Chinese.

Many employers ask you to additionally provide a certificate of passing a medical examination. It is better to prepare it in advance, since this document will be required in the future to obtain a residence permit in the Middle Kingdom.

Applying for a work visa

After receiving documents from the employer, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate General of China. A work visa is issued on the basis of the following documents:

• a foreign passport with a validity of at least 6 months at the time of submission;
• a copy of the invitation from the Chinese side;
• a completed application form in the prescribed form with a passport-size photo;
• a copy of the permit to attract a foreigner.

Do not forget to take the original documents with you so that the Embassy or Consulate employee can verify their authenticity.

Visa to work in China

The Chinese Embassy is in charge of issuing visas, and on its website all types of entry visas and the documents required to obtain them are described in detail.

Migrant workers mainly receive two types of visas.

• Business M. Designed for those traveling to China for work (including business trips). Validity period: up to three months.
• Work Z. Allows not only the applicant, but also his family members to move to China. The validity period is similar to the period of validity of the employment contract. It has two varieties: Z1 requires multiple entries into the country and is issued for a period of six months; Z2 allows you to enter the country only once and is valid for up to six months.

It is worth remembering that only Z visas allow you to get a job and work in a Chinese company.

To obtain a permit, you will need to submit the following documents to the Chinese Embassy.

• Visa application form in Chinese. Please note that the specified employer contacts are subject to mandatory verification.
• Photo on a blue background (two pieces).
• Signed employment contract.
• Work permit.
• A written invitation on the official letterhead of the company.
• A passport that expires in at least six months.
• Certificates of passing a medical examination and no criminal record.
• If available, certificates of language proficiency (English, Chinese).
• Diplomas and certificates of education.
• Completed applications in form V2011B, V2011A.

The visa fee is required to be paid only if a positive decision is made. The amount varies depending on the country of the applicant and the urgency of the case, and averages $50. Prices are indicated on the embassy website. The registration process takes on average five business days.

Those traveling to Hong Kong should note that a separate visa is required for both visiting and working there. A tourist card is issued upon arrival and is valid for up to two weeks. Migrant workers are also issued a visa at the Chinese Embassy within four to six weeks.

A residence permit is issued upon arrival. To do this, you first need to visit the Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security of China to receive a work permit, then pick up a certificate of registration at the place of residence and from the employer, as well as registration with the migration service. This list of documents should be supplemented with an employment order, photographs, international passport and contact the migration center.

View of the Chinese city of Kunming

Features of business in China

Doing business is one of the most comfortable ways to immigrate to China. Local legislation provides all the conditions so that those wishing to invest their money in the country’s economy can do so without hindrance. Business and investment are the basis for obtaining a residence permit (residence permit) and permanent residence (permanent residence) in the Middle Kingdom. In addition, it is absolutely not necessary for investors to know the state language at least at an elementary level.

To obtain investor status, you must make a contribution to the country's economy in the amount of from 500 thousand to 2 million dollars.

Resettlement to the Celestial Empire through investment is an option for acquiring a residence permit, which involves significant investments in the Chinese economy.
Documents for a business visa (category M):

• the applicant’s international passport and copies of its important pages;
• photograph of the established sample (35x45 mm);
• A completed application form;
• invitation from the Chinese business community;
• documents confirming the status of a foreigner as an investor.

The Chinese authorities are always ready to receive and serve wealthy foreigners at the highest level - quickly obtain permanent residence.
Foreigners can participate in the creation of:

• partnerships;
• foreign representative office;
• private enterprise;
• joint venture.

When opening a business in the Middle Kingdom, an immigrant receives four years to develop the enterprise. If during this time he does not break the law and regularly pays taxes to the state, and also provides jobs for at least ten people, he receives the right to a residence permit that is not limited in validity.

Video: China, million-dollar business

Professions in demand

Immigrants from the countries of the former CIS are welcome in China in the fields of industry and construction, education, medicine, aviation, management, modeling business, and the service sector. Particularly in demand:

• engineers;
• middle and senior managers;
• IT specialists;
• engineers;
• machinists;
• English teachers;
• pilots;
• doctors;
• models, dancers, artists, singers, DJs;
• fitness and yoga instructors, football coaches, choreographers;
• girls-hostesses, administrators;
• translators;
• scientists.

Salaries in China

There is no minimum wage level for the country as a whole; rates are regulated at the provincial level. Range – $150–350. The average salary in the country is $985, with an annual increase in this indicator of $50–70. Salaries for men and women in the same positions are almost the same. The highest rates are in southeast China, the lowest in the center and north.

Average salaries in the country

• English teachers: $1,000–3,000 depending on education and experience
• Engineers: $1,500–6,000
• Pilots: from $15,000 + bonuses and additional payments for overtime
• Models: from $200 per shoot
• Translators: from $100 per day
• Doctors: $2,000–6,000
• Musicians, artists, DJs, dancers, fitness instructors: $1,200–2,000
• Cooks: $1,000
• Hotel and restaurant workers: $1,000–1,300
• Senior managers: $1,500–3,000
• IT specialists: from $2,000

Let's talk about the most popular professions.

English teacher. There are enough vacancies for this position in all cities of the country in institutions of any level: from kindergartens to universities. According to Chinese law, only a native speaker can be a teacher. But the salary of such a specialist should be about $3 thousand. For most institutions this is very expensive, which is why they hire non-English-speaking teachers, specifying another position in the contract.

The teaching load is small - up to 20 hours per week. The highest salaries are in private schools; kindergartens pay 25–30% less. Payment is often hourly. Teaching experience and international language certificates will provide an increase in income.

Russian language teachers are needed much less frequently, and their salaries are one and a half to two times lower.

Engineer. There are plenty of vacancies for this position in any field. The most in demand are technologists, programmers, designers, and quality control specialists. It is important not only to have a specialized education, but also to speak spoken English and at least basic Chinese (or start learning it intensively upon arrival).

Model. European looks are considered prestigious in China, which is why models from Europe earn 30% more than local ones. The main thing in this work is not height, but photogenicity. A model receives $200 for one show, and $100 for a catalog shoot.

Dancers, artists, musicians. Their salary directly depends on the place of work and the number of performances. On average it comes out to $1.5–2.0 thousand per month. In this case, the employer covers the costs of housing (apartment or hotel, two or three people per room) and food (often standard: rice, noodles, salads).

Work in China in clubs and restaurants for Russians vacancies 2021 without knowledge of the language

The artistic field of work is quite popular in China. Clubs offer work in dance shows, go-go dancers, and vocalists. Employees are provided with free housing, as well as assistance with flights and visas. Girls and boys aged 18 to 30 with a minimum command of English are in demand. The average salary is from $1000 per month. Preference is given to girls who have a European appearance, since club visitors like the European type of appearance.

See also: Work in Finland for Russians vacancies 2021 without knowledge of the language

In addition, restaurants and clubs require workers for the positions of service personnel, cooks, and accountants. An accountant in a restaurant in China can earn from $600 per month. A cook's monthly salary is about $1,000.

Foreign waiters who speak Chinese in restaurants earn from $900 a month. Girls of European appearance with blond hair are also welcome. The age criterion for selecting employees is from 21 to 35 years. The salary of applicants who do not speak spoken Chinese starts from approximately $500 per month.