The People's Republic of China is known in the world not only for architecture, ancient history, philosophy and number of inhabitants. This state is one of the leaders of the world economy, with a rapidly developing industry and service sector. In just over 50 years of the republic's existence, the authorities were able to turn a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country into a powerful industrial power. Working in China is an invaluable experience for a foreign employee and an opportunity to experience life in one of the most unique corners of the planet.
Why you should go to work in China
The Chinese economy is the second largest in the world. According to forecasts of experts from the IMF and the World Bank, by 2021 it will become a leader on the world stage.
The relentless growth of the market and GDP is helping to attract foreign labor in a wide variety of industries. All this ensures a variety of areas of work and the availability of vacancies.
But before deciding on labor migration, it is necessary to assess the pros and cons of such a move. The first include:
- the opportunity to study the Chinese language directly in the environment of its distribution;
- certain bonuses from employers in the form of housing payments, transportation costs, assistance in preparing a package of papers (often, but not always);
- friendly attitude towards foreign citizens, in particular towards Russian speakers;
- the opportunity to gain a unique experience of life and advanced training in an advanced Asian state;
- a wide range of vacancies for qualified specialists;
- high probability of finding a job without knowledge of the Chinese language.
Do not forget that the Chinese are hardworking people. The working regime in the PRC is rather tense. The length of the working day can reach 10-14 hours, and the leave granted to employees rarely exceeds 15 days a year. All this means that you will have to work hard and hard, without dismissing the high level of competition.
What specialties are in demand in China
The labor market in the PRC is very diverse. But the main criterion that will allow you to get settled especially successfully is knowledge of the Chinese language. If you still have decent English, it is quite possible to apply for a position in an international company.
The most realistic thing in this part of the world is to work in the following areas:
- advertising;
- Show Business;
- marketing;
- foreign economic activity);
- logistics;
- television and radio broadcasting;
- education;
- public catering.
The need for such specialists arises for several reasons. First, a citizen of another country is able to bring their own vision, and this is very important for Chinese employers. There are many competitors around that produce an identical product, which means that the price will include professionals who are able to come up with something new, bright.
Who can work in these areas:
- a designer;
- programmer;
- advertiser;
- videographer;
- director;
- a photographer.
The restaurant and hotel business has its own specifics. Russians are willingly taken into these industries if they have an attractive appearance and knowledge of the English language. The Chinese are ready to invest in the company's image, and a hostess, administrator, waiter, fashion model or secretary with such data will be a profitable investment.
Other in-demand jobs in China for Russians in 2021:
- a chef in a restaurant;
- interpreter;
- an engineer in the automotive, construction and any other industry;
- doctor;
- pharmacist;
- gym trainer;
- musician;
- pilot;
- dancer;
- Sales Manager.
One of the fastest growing areas in the country is air travel. For this reason, pilots from the CIS countries can find a very successful job, given that the requirements of the medical-flight commission in the PRC are lower, and the working conditions are better.
Manufacturing technologists, designers, quality control specialists are in great demand in China.
At the peak of popularity, work as a teacher. The Chinese show great interest in learning English, and therefore teachers of this profile are in great demand.
You can work as a teacher at any level of education and in any educational institution, from the preschool stage to the university. Preference is given to native English speakers.
But, since their salaries are extremely high, many educational institutions invite to work those for whom English is not native, but who have a pedagogical education and a sufficient level of proficiency.
China has a serious medical shortage due to the country's large population. The greatest demand is observed for doctors of narrow specialization.
Working in China without knowing the Chinese language is also possible. Usually it does not involve communication with local residents. These vacancies include:
- singers and musicians;
- models;
- dancers;
- cooks;
- employees of branches of foreign companies, for example, Russian;
- agricultural workers;
- service personnel in the tourism sector.
Such work can be temporary or seasonal (depending on the industry). Men most often choose the technical field, but women find it easier to get a job in the service, tourism and entertainment sectors.
Working conditions and requirements for applicants
How many and how many work in China is regulated by Article 36 of the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China. The duration of the working day is 8 hours, and the total duration of the working week should not exceed 44 hours. This schedule applies to the public sector, business entities, branches of foreign companies.
If the nature of production activity requires an increase in the working day (for example, at a plant or factory), the enterprise has the right to take such a step, coordinating it with the trade union and labor collective. Without approval, it is allowed to increase the schedule only in case of natural disasters and emergencies, but no more than 3 hours a day or 36 hours a month.
Weekends in China fall on Saturday and Sunday and public holidays.
In the private sector, things look a little different. A working day can last about 10-12 hours. And vacations in many companies are a luxury for employees. Many still manage to get at least 2 weeks a year, which they spend on travel. In some enterprises, 5-7 working days during the year are allocated to resolve personal issues.
The law also regulates the age from which one can work in China: teenagers from 16 to 18 years old are considered minor workers. They are not hired to work in mines and other hazardous and hazardous industries.
The most competitive group of applicants are those who are fluent in Chinese and English. With only one Russian, you can count on work with “your own”. There are especially many such companies in the border regions of China.
As for housing, most often you have to pay for it yourself. Companies that are especially interested in a foreign employee can take over this issue.
Job search methods
There are many ways to find a job in the Chinese labor market. This must be done in advance, while still at home.
Self-search involves a daily review of specialized resources that post jobs from Chinese employers:
- 51job is one of the popular resources with a user-friendly interface and the ability to sort vacancies by city and industry. There is an English version of the site.
- Careerjet - The portal is available in Chinese only.
- Echunacities - Here you can find over 200 thousand job offers. You can post a resume on the resource.
- Learn4good is an international site where you can find jobs anywhere in the world, including China.
Social networks and forums can become a source of information. Here you can not only find out about the available offers and read reviews about employers, but also study the problems and peculiarities of the Chinese labor market.
Print publications in English will also help in the search, for example, South China Morning Post, China Daily.
You can find intermediary firms in employment both at home and on Chinese territory. The advantage of this method is the guarantee that upon arrival the vacancy will not be filled: this is ensured by a tripartite agreement between the intermediary, the applicant and the employer.
The disadvantage is the risk of getting into a fly-by-night company that will receive a commission but will not fulfill its obligations. The intermediary is usually a job search agency in China. It is very important, before you tie the knot with such a company, to check its reputation and the legitimacy of the business.
For those who know exactly what field they want to work in, one of the options can be advised to make a list of companies of interest and send them your resume.
Participation in government programs can also be attributed to one of the ways how to find a job in China. Taking into account the interest of the Chinese government in employees of different professions and categories, several programs have been developed to attract foreign employees.
Those who come to the PRC within the framework of such a program are insured against problems upon arrival: they are paid their wages on time, housing, social protection and any assistance in settling them. For example, the Teach in China exchange program is very popular.
Registration procedure
Let's say you managed to find a suitable vacancy. What to do next? A future employee of a Chinese company will have to go through several stages:
- Receiving an invitation letter from an employer.
- Preparation of documents for submission to the consulate.
- Registration of a work visa
- Arrival in the PRC.
- Registration of the labor book.
- Obtaining a residence permit (if the term of the employment contract is longer than the validity period of the visa permit).
After receiving a visa, an immigrant must enter Chinese territory within 90 days from the date of issue. Within the next 24 hours after arrival, he must register at the place of residence by filling out the Temporary Residence Registration Form at the police station.
A foreign worker has exactly one month to obtain a residence permit from the moment of entry. You need to contact the Public Security Bureau, which will issue a China Residence Permit on the basis of a Z visa.
We prepare documents for a visa
The preparation of documents must be taken with full responsibility, since it will depend on the completeness of their set for how long the registration process will take, and its outcome as a whole.
The candidate will have to collect at least two packages of papers: for sending to the employer so that he can issue a work permit for a foreign employee, and for the Chinese consulate in order to open a visa. All documents must be translated into Chinese (sometimes English) and certified by a notary.
Work permit
For employment-based immigration to be possible, a work permit must be obtained. It is issued only for a specific specialty. If you need to change the profile of your activity, you will have to receive a new document.
It is the employer's responsibility to issue a permit. To do this, he needs to receive the following package of documents from the future employee:
- Certificates and diplomas of existing education (with translations).
- Copy of your international passport.
- Medical certificate of health status.
- Confirmation of 3 years of work experience in the specialty (a copy of the work book will do).
- Letters of recommendation from former employers.
- Resume in duplicate (in Chinese and English).
- Photo of passport format.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
You can send documents in the form of scanned copies by e-mail - to the personnel department of the enterprise. It can take about 10 days to obtain a permit.
Visa permit
The process of obtaining a work visa to China for Russians is not so much complicated as it is lengthy. It can take at least three months, and therefore you need to prepare in advance. From the documents you will need:
- International passport.
- The contract with the employer.
- An invitation from the host company on letterhead.
- Work permit.
- 3 photos measuring 33 x 48 mm.
- Diplomas and certificates of education.
- Language proficiency certificates.
- Application Form V 2021 B and V 2021 A.
- Medical certificate.
- Certificate stating that the applicant has no previous convictions.
The cost of a visa is from 2 to 4 thousand rubles (depending on the urgency of the production). You need to submit documents to the Chinese diplomatic mission in your homeland.
The Public Security Bureau is already in charge of extending visas on Chinese territory. The application must be submitted no later than 30 days before the expiration of the visa.
The package of documents is identical to the one that was submitted during the initial application. It is important that at the time of filing the application, the employment contract with the Chinese employer is renewed.
Do I need to get a license to work in China
In addition to a visa and a work permit, some categories of foreign labor migrants will need a license. This question will be relevant for drivers and doctors. Doctors will have to decide in which district they intend to work. If you plan to cover several regions at once, then you need to obtain a license in each of them.
The employer submits the documents to the representative offices of the Ministry of Health. For this you will need:
- Statement.
- Certificate confirming the availability of a scientific degree, certified by a notary.
- Licenses to conduct medical practice obtained in other countries (also requires notarization).
- Medical certificate of health status.
- Job invitation.
- A statement from the employer, in which he confirms his readiness to bear civil liability.
It may take a month for consideration. The license will be issued for a year (short-term permit), then it will have to be renewed.
Drivers will have to pass an examination on traffic rules in China and pass a medical examination to obtain a license. All this can be done in the same Public Security Bureau.
Documents are submitted there:
- Residence.
- A copy of a double-page spread with a passport photo.
- A copy of the visa permit.
- A copy of the last stamp from the passport for entering the territory of the PRC.
- A copy of the driver's license issued at home.
- 8 photos.
- Medical certificate.
Features of employment of citizens of the CIS
Those who are looking for work with knowledge of English will have the least problems with employment. It will be even easier to find a suitable vacancy for those who speak Chinese and English.
Those who do not speak any of them can count on a place in the representative offices of their countries' companies in China or on unskilled labor.
Everyone, without exception, is ready to accept the entertainment industry and the modeling business. The latter, however, can only be reached if certain data are available.
For Ukrainians today, it is possible to draw up an employment contract for seasonal employment for a period of 3 to 12 months. Both men and women, couples and students can find such work. The advantage will be experience in the chosen field - both overseas and in China.
Without knowledge of the language, residents of Ukraine can get a job in the service sector, on fishing vessels and factories.
For Belarusians, the choice of vacancies in the Chinese labor market will be the same as for other citizens of the CIS.In other words, the search will be crowned with success in the presence of a certain profession and language training.
Young people most often choose the profession of a bartender, model, animator or English teacher for children. Chinese employers promise high salaries and good working conditions for engineers, translators and programmers. But knowledge of Chinese or at least English in such positions will be required.
For Kazakhstanis, the main condition for successful employment will also be language proficiency. Without this, it is difficult even to get a job as a model, since the priority is given to persons with a European appearance.
In this case, it remains to either take on unskilled labor, or try to get a job in the Russian and Kazakh representative offices of companies in China.
Features of work in different regions of the country
The choice between a large metropolis and a provincial city can become a dilemma for a foreign labor migrant. In big cities there are more job offers, and wages can be higher. But the ecological situation in such settlements and the cost of living leave much to be desired. It is for this reason that many seek to gain a foothold somewhere on the periphery.
Briefly about the prospects of employment in some regions:
- In Beijing, the choice of vacancies is widest. But you need to be prepared for a lot of competition. Kitchen workers, taxi drivers, waiters, models, dancers, hostesses, administrators are always in demand here. Good opportunities in the Chinese capital open up for graduates of various disciplines.
- Chengdu (capital of the Sichuan region) is the economic and transport center of the republic. One of the five cities with the largest population in the country. This city is the oldest center of the printing and tea industry. Finding a job here in the listed industries will not be difficult.
- Those who do not want to live in a metropolis are moving to Shenzhen. The city is located on the border with Hong Kong and is known as China's Silicon Valley. Today it is a mecca for programmers and IT professionals. The largest electrical and electronics companies in the country are located here. The region is a free trade zone, and therefore attracts entrepreneurs and investors.
- In Shanghai, it is easy to find work in the port, in tourism, hotel and restaurant business. As the most populous city on the planet, Shanghai has transformed from a slum city into a metropolis with skyscrapers, highways, and luxury hotels in just a few years. Today, this settlement, on a par with Hong Kong, is fighting for the title of the largest economic center of the country. Here are located automobile factories, enterprises for the production of computers, electrical engineering, machine-building and metallurgical industries.
- In Guangzhou, the chances of finding a job will be no less than in Beijing and Shanghai. The city is an important scientific, industrial and economic region of the country. Technology development centers, scientific and research institutes, thousands of enterprises producing electronic devices and equipment are concentrated here. From here, clothing and footwear, fabrics and electronics are exported. The city has a well-developed tourism industry.
- In Macau, life is like Las Vegas. The reason for this is the high concentration of gambling establishments. This is a special administrative region that includes the city itself and two islands, with its own currency. Attracts migrants who want to work in entertainment and tourism.
- Taiwan will appeal to those who prefer island life. It harmoniously combines the influence of three different cultures - Chinese, Japanese and European. The region positions itself as a separate state, is among the leaders in the development of advanced technologies and international business. There are many technology parks and innovation centers to be found here. In addition, the island is a center of tourism with excellent infrastructure.
- In Hong Kong, life in contrast awaits you. Here skyscrapers coexist with fishing villages, and high technology - with ancient traditions. Once this region was a British colony, today it is a special administrative region of the PRC, which surprises the whole world with its growth rates. Hong Kong is an offshore territory whose economy is built on free trade, non-government interference in financial matters and low taxation; 90% of the GDP of this region comes from the service and entertainment sector.
Participation in the Au-Pair program
Au-Pair is an international program, in which young people 18-30 years old with good English from any country in the world can take part. Special agencies are engaged in job placement. During the admission process, candidates will have to pass a language proficiency test.
The main responsibility is working with children in a Chinese family. The host provides the foreign worker with accommodation and food.
Such social work most often attracts senior students, especially those who study in language universities. Participants are guaranteed:
- own room;
- access to telephony and the Internet;
- nutrition;
- scholarship;
- 30-hour work week (no more than 6 hours a day).
The program provides for accommodation exclusively in major cities of the country. An Au Pair in China usually lasts 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. The participant is also paid for the flight home. The monthly remuneration for work is USD 100–300.
Wages of labor migrants
The minimum wage threshold is set individually in each Chinese region. In the western regions, salaries of employees do not fall below 1,500 yuan (approximately US $ 223).
In the south and east of the country, where developed industrial centers are located, this figure is 2,000-2,500 yuan ($ 297-371). Average income by industry was distributed as follows:
| Field of activity | Wages in US dollars |
|---|---|
| Specialists from high-tech companies | 2 500-3 500 |
| Builders | 1 000-1 500 |
| Bank employees | 2 000-2 700 |
| Employees of transport companies | 1 000-1 300 |
| Wholesale and retail sales managers | 1 000-1 500 |
| Agricultural workers | 500-800 |
| Teachers | 1 500-2 000 |
| Workers in the field of sports, entertainment, culture | 1 600-2 000 |
Work is most valued in Shanghai, Beijing is in second place and closes the top three in terms of wages in Guangzhou.
A little about taxes
All working residents are taxed in China. Income tax in the PRC is determined by the amount of profit and is charged on a progressive scale.
Data subject to changes that came into force in January 2021:
- up to 36,000 yuan - 3%;
- 36 001-144 000 – 10 %;
- 144 001-300 000 – 20 %;
- 300 001-420 000 – 25 %;
- 420 001-660 000 – 30 %;
- 660 001-960 000 – 35 %;
- 960 001 and above - 45%.
Another part of citizens' income goes to social benefits (the main ones are listed):
- insurance pension - 8%;
- Unemployment fund: enterprises - 1%, employees - 0.2%;
- medical insurance - 2% + 3 renminbi yuan;
- savings fund for housing - 12%
- real estate tax - 1.2% of the cost or 12% of the rent.
At the same time, the cost of living in the country ranges from 340-710 yuan per month per person ($ 50-105). In reality, to live a month in China, you will need at least 2,000 yuan (about $ 300).
Internship Opportunities
An internship in China can boost your career. Firstly, it makes it possible to significantly improve the level of proficiency in Chinese and English. Secondly, it involves gaining invaluable work experience that can be applied in the home state. And thirdly, a line on your resume that you worked in China will help you find an interesting high-paying job.
Work in China for Russian students as trainees is possible only in the last courses of study. You can find a program at your university.
Today, many universities maintain bilateral relations with Chinese universities and companies.In particular, the latter willingly accept graduates of Russian universities for internships.
You can also search for programs at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. The duration of such projects is usually 3–12 months. The intern is provided with housing and a salary of $ 300-700 per month.
Starting a business
China is not only a manufacturer of numerous products, but also a huge sales market. To open a business in China, you first need to decide on the field of activity and form of ownership. You can organize a joint venture, or you can - a company with foreign investment.
The location of the enterprise is also important: the registration rules in Hong Kong and on the mainland may differ significantly. In addition, with low tax rates, Hong Kong is renowned for its high salaries and rental rates.
What is the threat of illegal employment
China is not a place to risk moving illegally. Moreover, it is very easy to become a violator here. It is enough to violate the period of stay on a visa or try to get a job without a work permit, and you will immediately be assigned a large fine, and in most cases - and deportation.
Failure to register at the place of residence or an expired visa faces a penalty of 2,000 yuan (about $ 300). Illegal employment will cost 5-10 thousand yuan ($ 740-1,500).
In any case, expulsion from the country will be inevitable, and with it a ban on subsequent entry for a period of 5-10 years.
It should be remembered that for help in catching illegal immigrants in the PRC, a reward of 2,000 yuan is provided.
Outcomes
Getting a job in the PRC means getting the opportunity to learn the Chinese language in the environment of its spread and invaluable professional experience in a country with one of the most powerful economies in the world. The highest chances of finding an interesting job are those who speak Chinese and / or English and have a degree in a specific specialty.
In China, teachers, doctors, engineers and programmers are in demand. Without language skills, you can try yourself in the entertainment industry, in the hotel and restaurant and modeling business.
