Why Move and Live in China?

The Country is Seeking English Teachers and Skilled Foreigners

By Volker Poelzl

Hong Kong is a one of many very popular places to live for expats in China.

China is home to not only the world's largest population at over 1.4 billion but — even given recent severe political and trade disputes — has also become an economic and political powerhouse perceived to be virtually on a par with the United States. China's influence is growing everywhere worldwide, and more and more people recognize that the country is a new global player here to stay. Increasing trade and globalization have made China a vital business partner for many Western countries, which has created a high demand for internationally-educated, English-speaking employees. With well-paying jobs scarce in the U.S. and the Chinese economy set to expand again in the long term, many American professionals are moving to China for employment. But there are also other reasons why China is rapidly becoming the latest frontier for studying and working abroad. The Olympic games in 2008 not only established China as a formidable athletic power, but the impressive cultural and artistic performances during the games left their impact and have contributed to the growing popularity of Chinese culture and language worldwide. The Chinese government is actively promoting Chinese culture and language. The Confucius Institute, founded in 2004, now has over 530 centers in dozens of countries worldwide. Its official goal is to enhance understanding of the Chinese language and culture and to strengthen educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries. According to official estimates, there are now tens of millions of people around the world who are studying Chinese and increasing, including the Chinese diaspora. The number of international students in China continues to be very high and should rise significantly post-pandemic.

Working in China

A number of Americans are still seeking their professional fortunes in the Middle Kingdom, and currently, up to 110,000 Americans live, work, or study in China. While the global recession is slowly easing, and economic growth in the U.S. is still relatively stagnant for high-wage jobs available to many coming out of school, China's booming economy will likely continue to grow even with the setbacks caused by COVID and trade disputes with the United States and Europe for the foreseeable future, in part due to the massive stimulus package by the Chinese government. Working opportunities in China are manifold, not only due to rapid economic growth but also due to the increasing diversification of the Chinese economy. While most jobs are related to English teaching or internships, professional and management positions are available in various fields. China has an enormous need for qualified managers and experts in finance and high-tech, especially those with knowledge of English and experience in the global marketplace and with international business practices. Although many recent university graduates in China are looking for work, international job applicants often have the advantage in that they more closely meet the demands of Chinese employers than Chinese candidates.

Many Americans are still seeking jobs in China not only because of the still-tight job market in the U.S. for well-paying professional jobs but also because they can often advance their careers more rapidly and find better jobs than at home. China is increasingly perceived as an excellent place for young professionals to jump-start their careers and gain international work experience. But China is attractive for recent college graduates and established professionals seeking to advance their careers. While advancement opportunities for many professionals are scarce in the U.S. due to the relatively sluggish economy, China's economy is still expanding, and the demand for skilled professionals is high in many fields. Unemployment in urban areas is low, and the local workforce cannot meet the demand for qualified employees with international business or management experience. The need for skilled foreign professionals will remain the same in the long term.

Teaching English in China

The most popular job for foreigners in China is teaching English. A growing number of Chinese students, employees, and business people are studying English, and there is a high demand for native English-speaking teachers. Before the pandemic, the market for English teachers was becoming saturated in large cities and popular destinations such as Beijing and Shanghai. Still, if you are willing to live and work in a smaller town in the country's interior, you should be fine finding a job. Many foreigners come to China to look for an English teaching position, hoping to change their tourist visa to a work permit. However, this practice is becoming more complex, and the Chinese authorities are encouraging foreigners to apply for a work visa from their home country. For more information about teaching jobs in China, check out our Teaching English in China section. The U.S. embassy in China also provides useful information for those interested in Teaching English in China.

Studying in China

But let's not sugarcoat the 2023 reality for American students in China. According to the Institute of International Education (in its Open Doors Report 2022 in PDF format), American students in China stood at just 280 in 2022/23 compared to a high of 11,000 in 2019, pre-COVID. The reasons are evident due to measures taken to deal with COVID on both sides of the Pacific. China is still a popular study destination for international students. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 290,000 international students enrolled in Chinese universities, despite the issues caused by the global pandemic. But people do not only go to China to study at universities. Dance, martial arts, and language courses are also popular with foreigners seeking to learn more about Chinese culture and the Chinese way of life. No one can be sure when the global pandemic will no longer be a factor, nor the effect of trade disputes and other political concerns. Still, if the past is any indication, students will be returning to the country in the future in droves.

Volunteering and Internships in China

In addition to paid employment, there are also volunteer and even more internship positions in China. Knowledge of Chinese is usually optional but is generally offered as an option.

Where to Go

Most jobs for foreigners are in Beijing and Shanghai, which also have the largest expatriate communities in China. Foreigners will find many amenities and entertainment venues that cater to them, such as restaurants, bars, etc. Elsewhere in China, foreigners need to be more prepared for culture shock since they will find little in terms of culture, food, or the same types of entertainment they have available to remind them of home.

Visa and Immigration Matters

Immigration laws are strictly enforced in China, and you must ensure you have the appropriate visa for your intended activity. Foreigners breaking immigration laws will most likely be fined or detained.

The Chinese government has recently issued new rules to attract high-tech professionals, individual or corporate investors, senior management personnel, professors, and researchers from abroad. If you fall into this category, you can easily change your tourist or business visa to a work visa after receiving a job offer. The government has called on all relevant departments to cut red tape, streamline procedures, and improve the efficiency of the visa application process. The resident permit is valid for 2-5 years for this category of professionals in high demand.

For all other foreign job applicants, the process of obtaining a valid work visa (known as "Z visa"") has become more complex. A "Z visa" depends on a job offer from a company and approval by the Chinese labor authority, but foreigners are no longer allowed to change their visa status while in China. If you arrive in China as a tourist and are offered a teaching position, you must first return to your home country to apply for a work visa. Visa applications must now be made in person or by a representative designated by you (such as a visa service). Similarly, work in China and receive a job offer from another company at the end of your previous work contract. You may have to return to your home country first to apply for another work visa with the new company.

After obtaining a work or student visa, foreigners must register with the Chinese authorities and obtain a residency permit within 30 days of arriving in China. Resident permits are usually issued for one year but can be extended for the duration of your work contract. Students are generally issued a resident permit for the length of their studies in China.

For volunteers, interns, and participants in cultural exchange programs, China issues an F visa, which allows foreigners to stay in China for up to six months. To obtain an F visa, foreigners must submit a letter of invitation from a Chinese company or organization with their visa application. An F visa holder does not usually require a residence permit but must still register with Chinese authorities after arrival.

Although China is popular with employees and international students who intend to stay in China for several years, it is not a destination for long-term expatriates. Permanent residence status is only granted to those with Chinese spouses, high-level executives or senior managers, high-tech professionals, academics who have worked in China for at least four years, and foreign investors with a presence in China for at least three years. No provision allows other types of foreign employees, students, visitors, or retirees, to obtain permanent residence in China.

The Language Factor in China

For many jobs in China, it is optional to speak Mandarin fluently. English teachers can quickly get by without speaking Mandarin or any other local language. Although learning Chinese is a challenge for most Westerners (since it is a tonal language, which is quite different from European languages), your experience in China will be significantly enhanced if you speak some Chinese or take Chinese lessons during your stay. Even basic conversational skills will help you break the cultural barrier, make meeting the locals more straightforward, and have meaningful interactions. As mentioned above, there are large expatriate communities in Beijing and Shanghai where you can live and work for years without speaking Chinese. But by living in such an expatriate bubble, you will deprive yourself of contacting the locals and learning about their way of life, customs, and culture.

Volker Poelzl is a Living Abroad Contributing Editor for TransitionsAbroad.com. He has traveled in over 40 countries and lived in ten to study, research, and work.