Foreigners looking for work in China need a Chinese work permit. The process of obtaining a work permit in China is complicated and is mostly handled by the recruitment company.
Jobs For Expats In China
Expats working in China typically hold top management and senior positions in IT, human resources, finance, accounting, and manufacturing. However, as the economic situation has changed, highly skilled expatriates from all walks of life have been looking for work in China. As China continues to transition to a service-based and special-skills economy, many expats are now employed in industries such as sales, marketing, engineering, and banking. The education sector remains the largest source of employment for expatriates in China, with a significant proportion of expatriate workers in the teaching profession. While it may have once been a relatively low-paying job, teaching English as a foreign language in China has grown to the point where it can provide a substantial salary for highly educated ex-pats. It’s also a way for many young ex-pats to make money while experiencing a new country and culture.
To work legally in China, you need two things, a work permit (used to be a red book, now a card) and a work residence permit (this is what you call a Visa, because it’s in your passport). Work permits are issued by the “State Bureau of Foreign Experts” and residence permits are issued by the “Department of Entry and Exit Administration of the Ministry of Public Security”.
Most of the expat jobs are found in the big cities where expats gather, such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Being able to speak Mandarin is an advantage and often a way to get a good-paying job. However, many international companies conduct their daily business in English, and many ex-pats can get by without using Mandarin. However, to balance this view, most expats are still being hired by international companies, while opportunities for companies run entirely by Chinese remain limited. While many companies still subsidize housing costs, airline tickets, health insurance, and some taxes, relocation options are not as lucrative as they once were. Many local companies are also more willing to hire Chinese employees with overseas experience. The cost of hiring foreign workers is high, and many people initially have difficulty adjusting to the language and culture. In addition, some companies have turned to middle management from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Not only do these candidates usually speak English, but they also have lower salary requirements and often speak some Mandarin.
Work Culture Expats In China
China’s business culture is dominated by the “Guanxi,” a localized concept that is a more sophisticated inheritance of Western notions of people. A lot of time is spent nurturing and maintaining relationships, as local business people rarely do business with people they don’t know and trust. Related to the Kansai concept is “face”. It is important that expatriates behave in a dignified manner at all times and avoid offending or embarrassing their Chinese colleagues at all costs. Integrating into China’s corporate culture can be quite a challenge for Western expats. Language barriers, in particular, may take some getting used to, with expats learning at least some key Mandarin. Despite these challenges, there is a high level of satisfaction among expats who have successfully found jobs and integrated into Chinese working life.