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WHAT IS MY DESTINATION OR POINT OF ARRIVAL IN CHINA ?

Most teachers this year are arriving in Shanghai and catching a connecting same-day flight into the capital city of their particular province. At your destination, you will be greeted by your contracted schools representatives at the airport.

WHEN AM I EXPECTED TO ARRIVE?

This will vary on a school-by-school basis; however, in the vast majority of cases, your expected arrival date will be stated very clearly on the employment package that is provided by us and completed by your contracted school.

We will also attempt, when possible, to place you on the same flight into China as other teachers so as to make your travel more enjoyable; it will also provide you with an instant companion whilst in China to lesson-share with and so on.

HOW MUCH CASH SHOULD I BRING WITH ME ON ARRIVAL?

We usually advise that between $USD300-500 in cash is more than enough for the first month. One is able to live in China on approximately $AUD200 per month quite comfortably.

You can convert money, if you wish, once you arrive in Shanghai at the airport.

CAN I USE MY CREDIT CARD IN CHINA?

Using a credit card is advisable only as an emergency and not for everyday use. A credit card can only be used in very large cities in China were the facilities are available. Whilst the systems are improving rapidly, we advise that you only consider using a credit card in emergency situations.

China is primarily a cash-based society and as such we advise that teachers use cash or bank accounts with which to conduct their transactions.

Please also keep in mind that, as you will be a resident of China for the duration of your Chinese working visa, you are able to establish a bank account in China. It is from this bank account that you can conduct all transactions. We or your contracted school's Foreign Director will assist you with opening this account.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHO MY SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES ARE WHEN I ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT?

It is quite easy to meet your school representatives at the airport. After you collect your baggage from the baggage claim area at the airport, everyone must walk through one particular exit gate. Standing just outside the gate will be your school representatives holding a big sign: for example, MISS TRACY SMITH ? HUNAN NUMBER 3987 MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Remember also that they have a picture of you, so they know exactly who they are looking for. This is the reason we request your flight details: so that the school can arrange to connect with you at the airport.

Remember also you have our contact details in China if you need our assistance with anything whatsoever. Coupled with this is the fact that we are in constant communication with your school representatives at this point.

IF MY CITY IS OUTSIDE A LARGE CITY, IS IT DIFFICULT TO TRAVEL?

As the bus and railway system in China is excellent, traveling to larger cities is relatively easy. Generally speaking there is a bus leaving to any destination in China from any city in China every 15 minutes.

I HOPE THE MOVE DOES NOT BECOME TOO STRESSFUL. PSYCHOLOGISTS SAY THAT THE TWO MOST STRESSFUL TIMES IN A PERSONS LIFE ARE MARRIAGE/DIVORCE AND MOVING.

We are aware of the extent of the move that is required for people to come to China in order to undertake a teaching position. It is for this reason that we have designed a process that, intentionally as its base, has underlying support throughout the entire process, from the initial application to the provision of an employment package: assistance with all travel enquiries and arrangements, visa processing support and a full and comprehensive support network throughout your entire stay in China.

It is our goal to make the transition to the positions that we offer as comfortable and supportive as we possibly can, both in your country and in China, as we are aware of the extent of such a move for most of our applicants and teachers.

HOW LONG DOES MY VISA TAKE TO PROCESS?

Your visa processing, once we and your contracted school have supplied you or an authorized representative to act on your behalf with all the official documents from the relevant Government Departments in China, takes approximately one week to complete. It is possible to request from the Chinese Embassy in your country express processing, in which case you are able to obtain your Z visa within three working days.

HOW DO I OBATIN A CHINESE Z WORKING VISA?

What is required is that we forward the requested documents to the relevant Education Department here and the relevant provincial State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs for official processing. After positioning you in a Chinese school, college or University your contracted institution completes the processing with the aforementioned departments and then forwards to you an invitation to work for them here in China. It is with this invitation ONLY that you are able to obtain a Chinese Z working visa.

WHERE WILL THE PROCESSING OF MY DETAILS TAKE PLACE AND WILL YOU ASSIST ME WITH THIS ORGANISATION?

It takes approximately two weeks to process your details here: this very briefly includes receiving from you and processing all the requested documentation, seeking and finding a suitable employment opportunity for you, supplying the institution with your details, having the institution supply you with an employment package for your perusal, having the institution process your details and forward to you the official documents required in order for you to obtain your Chinese Z working visa.

Thus, the majority of the processing is performed by our organization in China. We do this while in constant contact with you. The official processes (not including your personal organization) that are required to be completed are mainly concerned with your Z visa.

An extremely important point to note is that once you agree to the employment terms with an institution and receive your Chinese Z visa whilst still in your country, your contracted Chinese institution is obligated to employ you, as they sponsor you, and are thus liable for you whilst in China for the duration of the contract. We ask that teachers understand, accept and respect the level of commitment that their school has undertaken to employ their foreign teacher.

Therefore, everything is organized before you leave your country. You simply board a plane, arrive in China, and then you are warmly greeted by your contracted institution and us, then taken to your apartment and place of work to begin your employment.

IS RIDING A BIKE IN CHINA AS “UNSAFE” AS IT LOOKS?

The bike is 'king’ in China and as such has 'right of way’. Cycling, walking or buses (in large cities) are the main forms of transportation in China; however, as the country gets richer, more and more people are buying cars. Riding a bike may look unsafe, but once you are riding a bike yourself the whole operation is quite safe: as I said bikes have right of way. There are usually cycle ways on the road-side, and you are protected from the cars by barriers.

CAN THE SCHOOL PROVIDE ME WITH A BIKE TO MOVE ABOUT THE CITY ON?

It is possible for the school to provide you with bicycles for you to use as a mode of transportation. This is stated clearly in your employment package.

Thus, schools quite often provide you with a bicycle for your 'exclusive' use WITH UNLIMITED KILOMETRES ALLOWANCE. However, repairs and maintenance will be at your expense; collision waiver insurance is unprocurable, and you will need to provide an anti-theft device. Bicycles in China are an essential and practical mode of transport.

WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD I PRESENT TO THE CHINESE EMABASSY FOR PROCESSING MY VISA APPLICATION?

You should submit the following list of documents to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate to apply for and obtain your Z-Visa (Expert Work Visa):

1 A completed Visa Application Form (you can obtain this form from the Chinese Embassy or download it from the Internet.

2 Your valid passport (the validity of your passport should be longer than your desired period of commitment in China by at least six months)

3 Invitation and Work Permit that you receive by facsimile.

4 One passport-sized photo (colour)

5 Applicable Visa Application Fee - obtainable from Embassy or Consulate or Internet.

Present these documents to the appropriate Chinese Embassy / Consulate in your country with your passport, passport-size photo, a completed Visa Application Form and the prescribed fee, and you will receive a Z Visa (Expert Visa), which will give a single entry into China for a stated period.

CAN I TRAVEL TO CHINA FOR TEACHING ON A TOURIST VISA?

Certainly; if your presence in China is urgent or there is an unreasonable delay in the processing of Work Permits (as occasionally happens), this can only be done at the request of your school.

It must be pointed out that as of MARCH 2005 the procedures pertaining to visa entry were overhauled. It is now STRONGLY advised that you enter China on a Z VISA.

WHAT KIND OF AIRFARE/TICKET SHOULD I BUY WHEN I TRAVEL TO CHINA?

You can buy either a round trip or one-way economy class ticket, which will be reimbursed at the end of your contractual by your host school in accordance with the Regulations of China State Administration for Foreign Experts Affairs. Please note that whatever ticket you buy; it should be an Economy Class only; for the purpose of reimbursement you should also produce a travel agents/airline receipt. You must inform NETWORK ESL of your flight number, arrival airport, and date and time of arrival at least one week in advance by EMAIL.

CAN YOU OFFER SOME ADDITIONAL TRAVEL “TIPS” FOR ME BEFORE I ARRIVE IN CHINA?

1.If you have any specific personal toiletry brand items, such as aftershave, moisturizer, razors, shaving cream and make up which are quite expensive, etc, we advise that you bring with you at least a two-month supply to last until you have sourced the same items in China.

2.Bring with you your airfare receipt, that is, both your international airfare and Chinese domestic airfare receipts.

3.Bring at least two copies of all your official paperwork and your passport. In addition, leave at least two copies in AUS with family or friends in case your original documents are lost.

4.It is advisable for you to pack an English-Chinese and Chinese-English dictionary and Phrasebook. One of the best on the market is:

Oxford Starter Chinese Dictionary

Oxford University Press

Edited by: Boping Yuan

Sally K. Church

This dictionary contains Chinese, English and Chinese pinyin (phonetic alphabet). Very few dictionaries have pinyin, which you will require if you wish to speak Chinese.

There are many quality phrasebooks on the market these days.

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