TIPS FOR A TRIP TO CHINA

The Chinese authorities have halted all direct flights to the mainland of China from the UK in the aftermath of a new large epidemic of Omicron COVID-19 infections in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Changchun (since March 2022). (since March 2022).

For the latest advise on entering China for employment, read GOV.UK - Foreign travel advice - China.

The rise of China's economy has been fast, and the nation presently boasts the second largest economy in the world (after the USA) (behind the USA). Job prospects are high, however competition for graduate employment is tough, notwithstanding the slowdown in economic development in recent years, especially after the start of the coronavirus epidemic in 2020.

While the country has a population of about 1.5 billion, its residents enjoy a comparatively inexpensive cost of living compared to the UK - although this does vary on region. Cities like Shanghai and Beijing, the capital, are expectedly more expensive.

Foreigners who are contemplating working in China often do so in part because of the unique cultural experience it offers. The world would be a better place if you took up Mandarin; not only does fluency in a second language look good on a resume, but it also increases your employability.

You may spend your leisure time learning about a civilization with a history stretching back 5,000 years. The Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace are all in Beijing, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an is well worth a visit, and you won't want to miss the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong and The Bund in Shanghai.

China's Job Market

Beijing and Shanghai, the country's financial and commercial centers, also happen to be home to many positions that need fluency in English. Many international corporations have their Asian headquarters in one of these east coast locales - as well as in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Tianjin.

Most foreign employees in China are employed by businesses with foreign investment. Opportunities with Chinese firms do exist, but it helps to know some Mandarin.

Some of China's most important industries are:

Products ranging from chemicals to consumer food to machinery to construction to mining to textiles to transportation.
Looking for work in China? Try these sites!

For expats in Asia, go no further than Hong Kong and AsiaX

• Chinajob \seChinacities
• Internet Job Boards Expat.com Reed - Jobs in China
• Jobs for Foreign Graduates in China
• Services related to banking and finance
• Technology for Manufacturing and Advertising

It is also feasible to instruct English in China by participating in the English Language Assistants Programme run by the British Council.

the fewer the things that exist

Take a break from the 9 to 5 grind and go on an adventure that is really one of a kind. Spend 10 months teaching English in China while getting the opportunity to travel across the country. You will have the opportunity to travel around Asia while also gaining significant professional experience.

TravelGrad

Graduates of all disciplines are given the chance to live and teach English in China for a period of ten months through TravelGrad's China Teaching Experience program. A free TEFL course constitutes the entirety of the instruction that is offered.

Internships

Before beginning a full-time, paid position in China, you should consider participating in an internship. Internships are an excellent method to gain exposure to the Chinese working culture and to develop important connections. Students can find internships and summer job placements through the following resources:

AIESEC UK is an organization for current students and recent grads. The duration of internships ranges from three to nineteen months.
IAESTE UK is an organization for students studying science, engineering, technology, and applied arts. The typical length of a placement is between eight and twelve weeks.
The Intern Group is a market leader in the provision of foreign internships, and it operates programs in both Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Generation UK - China is an online internship program that lasts for two months and is operated by the British Council. It is intended for full-time university students and recent graduates in the United Kingdom who wish to obtain work experience with a Chinese firm.

Pagoda Projects also provides a variety of internships through its Intern China program. These internships can be located in Dalian, Chengdu, Qingdao, Taipei, or Zhuhai, and they cover a wide range of industries. These internships are available in a wide range of fields, such as business, design, engineering, hospitality, information technology (IT), law, marketing, media, sales, and science.

Program for Internships in China Offered by ImmerQi

The program recruits current students and recent graduates from all over the world and places them in internships in the hospitality and corporate sectors of the tourism and travel industries in the three most important cities in China: Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai.

placement year equal to zero international

Provides students and new graduates with paid internship opportunities in the hospitality and business industries.

Chinese visas

Before you may go to China for employment, you are need to get a visa if you are a citizen of the United Kingdom. Working in Hong Kong does not need you to have a visa.

Your duration of stay as well as the reason for your visit will determine the kind of visa that you have to get. To be eligible for employment in China, you will require a Z visa as well as a formal invitation to go to the country from a potential employer. At the Chinese embassy in your country, you can submit an application for a Z visa. Within the first twenty-four hours of your arrival, you are required to register with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB), regardless of the duration of your stay.

You are going to require a residence permit in addition to your visa if you intend to remain in the nation for more than six months. It is possible that you will be required to demonstrate that you do not have a criminal history in order to be granted a work visa or a residence permit.

If you are in China on a visa that allows you to study (F visa) or visit as a tourist (L visa), it is against the law for you to work. Therefore, if you find job while you are in China, you will be required to switch your visa type.

Visit the website of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom for further details on how to apply for visas as well as the many conditions that must be met.

Language requirements

Numerous multinational corporations offer English-speaking positions in China. In places like Beijing and Shanghai, it should be possible to survive without speaking the native language.

However, keep in mind that English proficiency rates in China vary significantly by age and area. In general, older generations and those living in rural regions are less likely to speak English, whereas younger generations and those living in cosmopolitan cities have a stronger command of the language.

In Chinese businesses and rural regions, Mandarin is the primary business language. To work for a Chinese firm, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in Mandarin; without it, you are unlikely to get hired.

In reality, having some understanding of Mandarin will be advantageous no matter where you work, so it is worthwhile to learn the basics at home. If you're having difficulty grasping what might appear to be a difficult language, you can always take courses in China.

Those who can speak Mandarin, have a solid understanding of the nation, and demonstrate an interest in Chinese culture are more likely to secure employment.

How to describe your credentials to prospective employers

Qualifications from the United Kingdom are generally acknowledged around the world, including China, but it is still prudent to check with potential employers before applying for positions.

Refer to ENIC-NARIC - China for further information on the recognition of qualifications in this nation.

Working conditions in China

China traditionally observes a five-day work week, from Monday to Friday. The Chinese labor legislation stipulates that employees cannot work more than 40 hours each week (eight hours per day). In actuality, you will discover that overtime is extremely prevalent, yet small businesses rarely compensate for it.

Holiday entitlement in the nation is quite low and often varies with job duration. Workers are entitled to five, ten, or fifteen days of paid holiday vacation, based on their total number of years of service (not just for their current employer). Additionally, there are eleven paid holidays.

Before accepting an employment in China, ensure that your vacation entitlement is spelled out in your contract.

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Learn about the experience of studying in China.