For updates on the China border reopening and work visa application process please see this article. 

Last updated: 17th August 2021

COVID-19 cases under control in China

The number of new cases of the coronavirus reported across China since March 2020 has been extremely low, as China’s strict measures to contain the virus in early 2020 have paid off.

Source: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/china

Schools across China re-opened in May & June 2020

Life in China has returned to normal with schools, businesses and shops all open, albeit with safety measures in place for some locations, such as mask wearing and social distancing. Public schools, kindergartens and private language schools in provinces all over China have been open for face to face classes for over a year now.

On 12th March 2020 the Ministry of Education in China released their ‘Guidelines on COVID-19 Prevention and Control’ for kindergartens, primary, middle, and high schools, as well as higher education institutes. The guidelines contain basic information about COVID-19, steps schools must take to prepare for reopening, and regulations once students return to campus.

Schools are required to take various measures to ensure the entire school and classrooms are kept disinfected and safe for teachers and students:

The Health App in China

China is making use of a health app which works on a 3 colour coded system. A green code means you are symptom free and are therefore allowed to travel freely, take public transport, visit restaurants, hotels and apartment blocks. You simply scan a QR code to demonstrate your green health status. A yellow code means you have had contact with an infected person but haven’t yet completed your quarantine period. A red code means that you have the coronavirus, or have symptoms such as a fever and are awaiting your test result. Read an article from one of our teachers, Joel about his experience using the health app in Chengdu here.

China border reopening

China has reopened the border, although with restrictions, and are issuing “PU letters” and work visas for teachers to enter the country. Teachers with expired residence permits can also re-enter China. Teachers who have received a Chinese made vaccine do not need a PU letter in order to apply for a work visa. For the latest updates on the current status of the China border and how English teachers can re-enter, please see this article. One of our teachers, Altine wrote an article about moving from Canada to Shenzhen in China to teach for an international school here.

Q: Are schools in China still hiring?
A: Yes, demand for English teachers in China is higher than ever. As schools across China have been open for some time now, they continue to recruit teachers. For teachers already in China the start date can be as soon as a few weeks. For teachers outside of China, a lot of schools are holding interviews for various start dates throughout 2021. The work visa application process for China can take 2 to 3 months to process, so you are encouraged to interview with schools in China now and once you have accepted a job, you can begin getting the work visa documents ready.

Q: What if I have already accepted a job with a school in China but do not have a work visa yet?
A: You can continue preparing the required documents for the China work visa in your home country. If you need assistance with this, we are partnered with various visa agents around the world that can assist you with this process. Please contact us for visa advice. Once you have the required documents your school will apply for a Z work visa invitation letter.

Q: What if I am already in China and want to leave my current school and get a new job with another school in a different city?
A: If you are already in China and want to switch schools and transfer your work visa from one to the other, you will need:
– minimum 45 days validity on active residence permit (Z visa)
– work permit cancellation letter from previous employer (make sure your current school does not cancel your work permit though)
– to already be working in the education sector

Please submit an application here and we will send you suitable job options based on your preferences.

About the Author: Frank