TEFL Jobs in China

Not legally. A bachelor's degree is a condition of the Z visa, and no reputable employer can sponsor you without one. Be wary of any offer that suggests otherwise — it almost always means working on the wrong visa, which puts you at risk of fines and deportation. If you don't hold a degree, look at destinations where it isn't required and speak to our team about the alternatives.

120 hours is the standard threshold across most provinces, so treat it as the minimum rather than the target. Courses above that level — particularly regulated qualifications such as our Level 5 — widen the range of schools that will consider you and strengthen your position when salary is discussed.

Yes. South Africa is on the list of eligible countries for the Z visa, and South African teachers make up a large share of the teachers we place. The requirements are the same: a degree, a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours, and a clean police clearance certificate, all properly authenticated.

Budget two to three months from accepting an offer to landing. Your TEFL course is the quickest part — most people finish in a few weeks. Document notarisation and authentication is what sets the pace, so start it early.

No. Classes are taught in English and schools expect you to arrive with no Mandarin. Learning some makes daily life easier and is worth doing once you're settled, but it's never a hiring requirement.

The market changed considerably after the 2021 reforms to private tutoring, and hiring shifted toward public schools, kindergartens, international schools and adult training. Demand for qualified teachers remains strong in those settings — but employers are more selective than they once were, which is exactly why the level of your certificate now matters more than it used to.