1.. Why do schools recruit foreign experts through our agency?
2. How to apply positions in China?
3. Is it true that schools might reduce the salary for the foreign teachers hired through our agency because they will pay us commission?
4. What is the best time to travel to China?
5. Is the cost of international round-trip air fare included in the contract?
6. Are special additional certifications required? Do I need to present them for a teaching position?
7. Is registration or certifications as a teacher necessary? Does it cost anything?
8. What non-teaching duties are expected?
9. What about school systems in China?
10. What is the school, college and institution calendar?
11. Will there be a job description?
12. Do employers supply living accommodations? What is supplied?
13. Are living accommodations convenient to the workplace?
14. Can I bring my furniture?
15. Is home leave granted, paid or unpaid, and is it with or without travel expenses?
16. When will salary be paid? In what currency? What is official exchange rate?
17. Can I live on my salary?
18. What about sick leave pay maternity leave and pay?
19. Do I need a physical exam?
20. What about accident, health and hospital insurance?
21. Do I have to pay Taxes?
22. Laws and regulations governing foreigners in China?
23. Chinese laws on drugs, alcohol and prescription medicine?
24. How do I get a visa, work permit and travel permission to work in China?

1. Why do schools recruit foreign experts through our agency?
Generally speaking, the Foreign Affairs Office in charge of foreign expert recruitment in most schools has a team of only two to three persons. Foreign experts’ recruitment is only part of their daily work. Since those few well-known schools have many applicants, the FAO officers can hardly give timely response to each question. On the other hand, to attract more applicants, most ordinary schools would like to co-operate with us in order to choose a more suitable foreign expert. >>>Back Top

2. How to apply positions in China?
Please go to Admission page for details. >>>Back Top

3. Is it true that schools might reduce the salary for the foreign teachers hired through our agency because they will pay us commission?
Of course NO. The commission and salary for foreign teachers come from different project channels. After your arrival, you will notice that your salary is in the same amount with other foreign teachers with similar background. The school only pays a very small amount of fee for our service. >>>Back Top

4. What is the best time to travel to China?
Given the vastness of China, its seasons and climates vary depending on when and where you visit. The months of April and October are usually good times to visit. China is uniformly warmed, humid, and rainy in the summer. In contrast, winter weather can vary considerably from city to city. Beijing, for example is very cold in the winter, with afternoon highs averaging only 34 degrees F. The best times to visit Beijing are in the early fall and late spring, especially May and September, with April and October almost as pleasant. Humidity, however, can be high from June to September. >>>Back Top

5. Is the cost of international round-trip air fare included in the contract?
This varies among the institutions. Many will provide reimbursement for a round-trip international economy air ticket at the completion of one academic year. Others will provide reimbursement for one-half of the international air ticket at the end of one academic year. Some institutions provide one-half of the international air ticket at the completion of one contracted semester. Normally, the terms are written into the contract Reimbursement is in Chinese Yuan RMB and is not considered as part of the salary for conversion purposes. >>>Back Top

6. Are special additional certifications required? Do I need to present them for a teaching position?
Nothing additional is required, although certificates showing proficiency in teaching, especially English as a foreign language, are highly desired by the host institution and often will lead to a higher salary. >>>Back Top

7. Is registration or certifications as a teacher necessary? Does it cost anything?
That information is part of the application process and copies of degrees and the schools will request certificates as proof for your China file of your training and background.
In some cases, schools are so anxious to have an English speaker as a teacher that they will overlook items necessary for the teacher’s file. Be aware that a legal school/institution should have on file the teacher’s documentation proving their legality to be a teacher in China. Otherwise, the foreign teacher can be caught earning money illegally. >>>Back Top

8. What non-teaching duties are expected?
In many institutions, foreign teachers are expected to keep scheduled office hours. These are woven into the teaching schedule. Further, teachers are often expected to participate in "English Corner," an informal gathering of students – not necessarily the teacher's students – to practice English in an unstructured way. In some institutions, teachers are expected to give a public lecture on some specific subject once or twice a semester. At times, teachers are asked to provide taped voices for exams or editing for materials for Chinese English teachers. Sometimes, teachers are asked to have their photo taken for publicity purposes and this might extend to radio or TV interviews. Some teachers have been invited to participate in movies as extras. >>>Back Top

9. What about school systems in China?

Category	Length	Credential
Kindergarten	3 years
Elementary	6 years	Diploma
Junior High	3 years	Diploma
Senior High	3 years	Diploma
College	2-3years	Diploma
University	4 years	Bachelor's Degree
Graduate Master	2-3years	Master's Degree
Graduate PhD	3-4years	PhD Degree

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10. What is the calendar of school, college and institution?
The academic year in China normally begins on September 1 of each year. In the case of some private schools, the academic year will begin earlier. The length of the first semester varies because the Lunar Calendar governs the year. The long winter break can occur anywhere from mid-January on into mid-February depending on the dates of the Chinese Lunar New Year/Spring Festival. Normally, institutions end their semester 2 weeks prior to Spring Festival eve and resume for the second semester 2 weeks following Spring Festival day. Length of the second semester is adjusted accordingly; most institutions end between July 1 and July 15 with some ending sooner. Note that it is often difficult to learn exact beginning and ending dates to semesters in an academic year. They simply are not public knowledge until the time approaches.
Length of contract depends on the teacher and can be for one semester or for two semesters…or longer. Many schools have summer programs and wish the foreign teacher to stay for those. The norm, however, is for a ten-month contract that is flexible to the dates as described above. Further note that although a contract may state that the teacher will be paid by the month for the contract length, some institutions will pro-rate the salary according to the days taught if the semester ends early. This is a detail that should be clarified prior to signing a contract so there are no surprises.
A ten-month contract will allow for various paid holidays, including October 1-8 (National Day Holiday), May 1-8 (Labor Day Holiday); approximately 4 weeks during the Winter Spring Festival Holiday; approximately 4 weeks during the summer holiday if a teacher is continuing on at a school for the following academic semester/year. Most institutions will pay the salary for the long winter or summer break, although some will pro-rate the salary or not pay for those times. This should be clarified prior to signing any contract. Technically, the foreign teacher should be paid for the contracted dates, including holidays; beginning date to ending date as stated on the contract. >>>Back Top

11. Will there be a job description?
Normally, a school will outline a position and the conditions of employment. That outline includes employment's ID and location of the school, minimum qualification for the teacher (BA, MA), subjects to be taught, numbers of classroom contact hours, monthly salary, any additional benefits, accommodation, medical care particulars, allowable holidays, and other information pertinent to the specific school.
Number of contact hours varies with 16- 20 being the norm. Some institutions require more and salary is normally adjusted to accommodate the extra teaching hours. If asked to teach beyond the contracted number of hours, the teacher is paid at a stated rate per hour, as stipulated by the institution. Numbers of teaching hours are stated in the contract.
Regulations state that foreign teachers can reside in China for only 5 years on teaching contracts before needing to leave China for at least 2 years before returning to teach. >>>Back Top

12. Do employers supply living accommodations? What is supplied?
Free accommodation is provided for the foreign teacher. The lodging is ready to be used by the teacher upon arrival. This is a responsibility of the host institution. See previous sections for full details. In some cases, there is service attendant care on a regular basis. In most cases, the teachers care for their own living space. Teachers are not taxed on accommodations. Lodging is the responsibility of the institution.
Teachers will need to provide small items as needed to function in the lodging space. This can include pots and pans, kitchen utensils, or anything the teacher feels is necessary.
Lodging comes furnished with enough furniture to allow for comfortable living. >>>Back Top

13. Are living accommodations convenient to the workplace?
As part of the agreement, institutions provide free accommodation to the foreign teachers. Lodging varies from guesthouse room, similar to a standard hotel, to a complete apartment with sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen area. Much depends on the school facilities and what they are able to provide for the teacher. Normally, the teacher receives an apartment setting. At some schools, teachers share a living space but have separate bedrooms. In all cases, there is “private” space for the foreign teacher.
Most institutions offer lodging on the campus. In some cases, the lodging is not on the campus and the institutions are required to provide transportation in those cases. Type of transportation (or stipend) depends on distance from the campus.
In a few instances, institutions allow teachers to live off-campus and they are willing to pay a lodging stipend to help cover rental costs. The stipend might not cover all costs, but will help to defray costs. The teacher then can choose his/her own accommodations.
If lodged in campus housing provided by the institution, the lodging is furnished. In some cases there is service attendant service during the week; in other cases, the teacher does their own cleaning. If a teacher lives off campus, they are responsible for furnishing their own area. Normally, if teachers elect to cook for themselves, they are responsible for purchasing their own pots, pans, and other equipment. Sometimes, previous teachers will leave such items behind for others to use.
Rental costs vary according to city, region, and circumstance and cannot be quoted here as a "norm." Most institutions will not allow their teachers to live off campus, since the institution is responsible for the teacher’s health and safety and has no control over those areas if the teacher is not present at the institution. If the teacher lives a distance from the institution (as arranged by the institution – not the teacher), it is the institution’s responsibility to see that transportation and safety are addressed. >>>Back Top

14. Can I bring my furniture?
Personal items can be shipped into the country. Depending on the items, there may be a duty/tax assigned through Customs. Because most teachers come into China for a 10-month stay, they do not “import” furniture or items. A person can purchase almost anything in China. If a person purchases an antique or a piece of registered art, they must have a certificate authenticating the piece and the purchase to produce when going through Customs at exit. A person cannot export items for re-sale elsewhere, since that constitutes a business and the person would need to have a business license to do so. Many times, if a purchase is made at an art center, the center will package the item and ship it. This takes care of Customs difficulties. Much depends on the size of the purchase. >>>Back Top

15. Is home leave granted, paid or unpaid, and is it with or without travel expenses?
Local leave is normally not granted. Schools/institutions sometimes allow a teacher to travel during the teaching time, but this is highly unusual and the circumstances would need to be extreme. The host institution does not normally tolerate unauthorized absence from duties. Teachers are bound to the teaching schedule and enjoy the same holiday breaks as everyone else. >>>Back Top

16. When will salary be paid? In what currency? What is official exchange rate?
Salaries vary from institution to institution and region to region. They also vary among public schools and private schools. Salaries are dependent on the teacher’s education and background experience. The base salary for a foreign teacher in China is 2,200 Yuan RMB. However, most institutions pay much more than that and salaries can range from 3,000 Yuan RMB to as high as 7,000 Yuan RMB, depending on the teacher qualifications and the teaching demands. These are determined by the host institution and can be negotiated by the teacher if there is a question. Any salary earned above 4,000 Yuan RMB is subject to a 10% tax.
Salaries are paid in cash in Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB). Normally, salaries are paid by the 5th day of the month and are paid for the month worked. This means that an incoming teacher might not receive their first salary payment until the beginning of the second month of teaching. However, some schools will pay one months ahead as a courtesy, realizing the teacher has nothing for the first month. NOTE: A teacher is allowed to exchange up to 70% of their salary for foreign currency, normally United States Dollars (USD). Current exchange rate is: $1USD =7.7RMB. >>>Back Top

17. Can I live on my salary? (Living in China page)—need to mention the exact source in our site.
The cost of living varies according to region and city. It is higher in the major cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou than in other medium or smaller cities. Normally, what a person earns in salary is sufficient to the needs and cost of living of the area/city. The foreign teacher normally earns a higher salary than their Chinese teaching counterparts. If prudent, teachers can save enough of their salary to travel during the vacation periods. >>>Back Top

18. What about sick leave pay maternity leave and pay?
A foreign teacher is allowed up to 30 sick leave days with the verification of a doctor. In some cases, if the illness is lengthy, the teacher receives a pro-rated salary for that time. The institution has the right to terminate employment if a teacher is not able to resume a normal working schedule after 30 days of sick leave. If a teacher is diagnosed with an illness that cannot be cured within a short period of time, arrangements are made to return that teacher to their home nation as soon as possible.
Institutions provide medical services to the teacher up to approximately 1,000 Yuan RMB ($120 USD) during a contracted period of time. In some cases, an institution will pay only 80% of medical expenses. Medical care is normally sought at the institution’s clinic or designated hospital. If a teacher wishes to go elsewhere, they must bear the medical costs themselves. There are no provisions for maternity pay. The same medical information holds as for illness. >>>Back Top

19. Do I need a physical exam?
Anyone coming to China to teach is required to have a full medical examination in order to meet the guidelines for working in China. This includes test results recorded on an "official" Chinese health form, chest x-ray, ECG, blood tests, Hepatitis and Syphilis test, and HIV/AIDS test. If the medical is done in the home country, all original results must be brought into China and presented to the host institution. These complete your file for the Public Security Bureau, allowing you to receive a Residency Permit. If the medical is not done in the home country, it must be performed in China after arrival at the host institution. Without a medical exam, a person cannot live and work in China. The medical form should be stamped with an official physician, clinic, or hospital stamp.
A teacher should be current with vaccinations and any other injections deemed necessary to international travel as advised by the physician. Unless teaching for a period of time in the extreme southern part of China, people do not need to worry about malaria or other tropical diseases. It is wise to have a vaccination certificate (WHO) listing your inoculations and dates of injections in case they are needed for any reason.
For details, please go to the Medicare & Insurance page. >>>Back Top

20. What about accident, health and hospital insurance?
The foreign teachers should bring any long-term medications with them, since many western medicines are not available in China. Supply should be sufficient to cover the length of stay plus one month. A person cannot count on renewing a prescription in China. However, it is a good idea to have a copy of the original prescription with your documents so that in the case of emergency, people will know what medications you are taking for what condition.
It is highly recommended that anyone traveling to China carry their own health insurance from their home nation. In China, insurance cards are not recognized and the person must pay for everything in cash, get receipts, and then take up reimbursement questions with their insurance company.
It is wise to bring an extra pair of glasses and/or contact lenses when coming to China. One should remember that the air quality in China is often poor and this affects those who wear contact lenses. It is recommended that the person also bring the glasses/contact lens prescription and specifications for replacement purposes, if necessary.
For details, please go to the Medicare & Insurance page. >>>Back Top

21. Do I have to pay Taxes?
The link offers useful information that will often serve to confuse you more. We've placed them here merely as a reference. What you need to remember is that you shouldn't be double taxed, taxes paid in China should not have to be paid in your country particularly if there exists a tax treaty between the two countries. 
Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad 
China Individual Income Tax(IIT) Rates
The first RMB4,000 of your earnings in China are tax free.
Your Total Liability can be calculated as follows:
Salary minus 4000 x Tax Rate, less Quick Deduction Figure = IIT Tax Bill

Grade	Monthly Taxable Income	Tax Rate (%)	Quick Deduction
1	Income of 500 yuan or less	5	0
2	That part of income in excess of 500 to 2, 000 yuan	10	25
3	That part of income in excess of 2,000 to 5, 000 yuan	15	125
4	That part of income in excess of 5,000 to 20, 000 yuan	20	375
5	That part of income in excess of 20,000 to 40, 000 yuan	25	1375
6	That part of income in excess of 40,000 to 60, 000 yuan	30	3375
7	That part of income in excess of 60,000 to 80, 000 yuan	35	6375
8	That part of income in excess of 80,000 to 100,000 yuan	40	10375
9	That part of income in excess of 100,000 yuan	45	15375

Foreign teachers/workers in China are subject to a tax on anything earned above 4,000 Yuan RMB per month. In many cases, the host institution will absorb this cost as a benefit to the teacher. There are no other taxes levied on the foreign teacher.
>>>Back Top

22. Laws and regulations governing foreigners in China?
The Chinese government is strict concerning adherence to its laws and regulations. If a foreign teacher breaks the Chinese laws, they are subject to Chinese punishment, incarceration, and/or deportation, depending on the infraction. In most cases, embassies are powerless to help the teacher in trouble other than notify family and act as consultant. Breaking Chinese regulations can be as small as not having your Residency Permit in a timely manner (fine is involved) to being involved in a traffic accident where the blame is put on the foreigner (large fines, possible incarceration, probably deportation depending on the circumstances). The foreign teachers should realize that any infraction in their own country is probably an infraction in China.
Foreigners should not participate in any political gatherings and should be aware that underground churches are monitored. Participation can be perceived as breaking the law and arrest can follow. Proselytizing is also not allowed, in or out of the classroom.
If a teacher of Chinese background enters China using only an ID card, they are treated as a Chinese citizen in cases of breaking the law. The embassies have no jurisdiction over that person, even if a citizen of another nation.
If there are questions concerning specific regulations, these should be discussed with the school/institution foreign affairs officer. >>>Back Top

23. Chinese laws on drugs, alcohol and prescription medicine?
As stated, foreign teachers should bring in their own prescription drugs sufficient for the entire stay. Western medications are not readily available in China beyond commonly used drugs, and those are available through major hospitals in major cities. Foreigners are often surprised to find that some drugs that would be prescription in their own country are readily available over the counter in China.
Alcohol is readily available in China. Beer is a common beverage and most regions have their own specialty beer. Also available is "bai jiu," a particularly potent drink made from rice or sorghum. This is often served at banquets and meals. Foreigners should pay attention to how much they are drinking, since the alcohol content is normally higher than western liquors. If a person drinks too much, they can be arrested for being drunk and disorderly. This would mean incarceration for a period of time or a fine. >>>Back Top

24. How do I get a visa, work permit and travel permission to work in China? (Consulate in your country)
To live and work in China long-term (up to one year or more), the teacher should enter China on a "Z" work visa. The "Z" visa requires a Letter of Invitation from the host institution stating that you will be working for them and will be their responsibility while in China. "F" visas, with a Letter of Invitation, are acceptable for a one-semester (6-month) stay.
Please go to Visa page for details.>>>Back Top