The People’s Republic of China, with a population of over a billion people and almost 10 million square kilometres is huge, diverse and unique. Find seasonal, summer, travel, temporary and short term jobs for foreigners and English speakers in China. View our guide how to find a job in China, search employers and apply today.
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China Facts
Population: 1.28 billion
Capital City: Beijing (pop 12.6 million)
People: Han Chinese (93%), plus 55 ethnic minorities
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin (among others)
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8 ( Beijing Time.)
Dialling Code: 86
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Religion: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism; Muslim, Christian
Major Industries: Iron, steel, coal, machinery, automobiles, petrolium, chemicals, telecommunications, textiles
A Guide to Working in China
A country of almost 1.3 billion people, the Peoples’ Republic of China spans four time zones. Its 22 provinces contain a huge variety of landscapes: deserts, mountain ranges, flat plains and the lush green countryside of paddy fields and fish ponds that most Westerners associate with China. The people are as diverse and range from the sophisticated city dwellers of the east coast cities and the uneducated poor of the rural areas, to the non-Chinese people of the south and west of this vast country.
China is a complicated and fascinating country that can both intrigue and frustrate. As a Westerner you stand out and will be a source of fascination in more out-of-the-way areas. Daily life presents all sorts of challenges from trying to communicate in Mandarin or Cantonese, adapting to very different attitudes and beliefs and being adventurous with the wide range of food on offer.
Time spent in China will you the opportunity to see how much the country has to offer. Whether you are interested in exploring the stunning and varied scenery, learning a useful and fascinating language, getting to grips with China’s art, philosophy and history, or just working your way through the numerous different types of food the experience will give you an insight into the lives of some of a quarter of the world’s population that will stay with you for ever. Many foreign workers study Chinese, adapt to life and stay in China.
In your free time and the holidays you will have the opportunity to see more of the country. You might take hard seat train journeys lasting several days or maybe a riverboat down the Yangzi river. You can travel the length and breadth of the country: explore cosmopolitan Shanghai or the central Asian city of Kashgar in the far west, experience life below zero at the Harbin ice festival or head south to the tropical island of Hainan to lie among the coconut palms and swim in the South China Sea.
Finding your feet in this huge, diverse, ultra traditional yet ultra modern country might just be the most amazing challenge of your life!
Best Places to Seek Employment
These are the some of the most popular locations where most foreigners find jobs: Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Jobs for Foreigners and English Speakers in China
• Banking and finance
• Business, hotels and hospitality
• Education, TEFL and teaching
Teaching Work in China
Contracts are generally 1 year (renewable). There is no tax. Work visas are arranged prior to arrival with the help of employer. Tourist visas can be changed to work visas in country.
Requirements for teaching posts in China are not always stringent: a university degree is often sufficient and teaching experience counts for more than formal training. So being a native English speaker and university degree holder goes a long way to getting you in.
In many cases teachers receive free airfare, a local salary, and perks. Wages are best in the big cities ( Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai) where there are scores of English schools. But many teachers feel that the drawbacks of Chinese city life are so great that they prefer to work in the provinces for less money. The western provinces like Yunnan are more pleasant and less money-mad than the east coast cities.
Once you get a job make sure the school sorts out the various permits for which you are eligible, particularly a teacher’s card that permits half-price rail travel. Ask for help in obtaining a temporary residence so you can avoid the tedious and expensive necessity of renewing your visa.
Visas
To work in China you must have a Z visa. Single entry Z visas are available relatively easily if you have proof of an offer of employment, but multiple entry visas are much more expensive and difficult to get. A Z visa costs around US$30 (or more depending on where you get it) if you are willing to wait a week or US$60 (or more) if you need it in a day.
Living in China
Money
Currency
The currency of China is the Yuan (Currency code: CNY) but also referred to as the Renminbi – ‘People’s Money’ (RMB).
Denominations
10 Fen equals1 Jiao and 10 Jiao equals 1 Yuan. There are parts of China where the Yuan is also known as Kuai and Jiao is known as Mao.
Chinese currency is issued in the following denominations:
1, 2 and 5 Fen (only coins)
1, 2 and 5 Jiao (available in notes and coins)
1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Yuan (all available in notes, the 1 Yuan is also a coin)
Meals
Budget: US$1-2
Mid-range: US$3-10
High: US$10-25
Deluxe: US$25+
Accommodation
These prices depend largely on where you are. Shanghai and Beijing are substantially more expensive than, for example, Kunming or Urumqi. Detailed searches of specific cities you are traveling to will help find accommodation most suitable to your budget.
Budget: Anything up from Y25
Mid-range: US$35-60
High: US$60-150
Deluxe: US$150+
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