r/ChinaJobs

Hey everyone,
Finishing my M.Sc. in Software Engineering (Oct 2026) in Germany and considering a move to China. Currently learning Mandarin but nowhere near conversational yet — trying to figure out which path is realistic.
1) Hospitality (Service/Bar)
I co-founded and run a restaurant/bar in Germany, so solid hands-on F&B/guest service experience. Applying to international hotel chains for Service/Bar/All Day Dining roles. Is English really enough on the floor, or is Chinese basically required once you're dealing with local staff/guests/suppliers?
2) Software Engineering
5 years as a working student/software engineer alongside my degree (industrial automation, computer vision). Applying to a few China-based companies for engineering roles. Does internal communication in foreign-owned companies stay English, or is it Chinese-heavy in practice?
Main question: Has anyone here gotten hired into hospitality or engineering/IT in China with just English? How steep was the curve once actually working there, and did lack of language cause visa/work issues?
Also — if anyone has recommendations on where to look (specific companies, cities, or job boards) known to be more open to non-Chinese speakers, I'd appreciate the pointers.
Trying to gauge if this is realistic or naive. Any first-hand experience appreciated!

Hello,

My name is Stefan, and I’m from Belgrade, Serbia. I run a marketing company called Media Edge Studios. We are currently focused on the Chinese market and are looking for a few reliable people living in China for a simple, occasional paid engagement related to checking our advertising campaigns.

The work would involve the following:

You would need to use an Android phone.

You would need to share certain technical information required for campaign verification, such as your IP/location, WeChat Advertising ID, and phone number.

Once or twice a week, we would ask you to open and scroll through WeChat Moments or Baidu to check whether our advertising campaigns are being displayed correctly.

The task does not take much time and can be completed directly from your phone. You would simply need to refresh the page occasionally and check whether the ads appear correctly.

This is a paid engagement. We can agree on either a fixed weekly payment or payment based on the actual time spent.

If you are currently living in China and would be interested in this type of work, I’d be happy to hear from you.

Hi! I’m a European woman with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a background as a professional volleyball player.
I previously spent time in Wuhan, working/studying on a university project, and I’m planning to return to China for 1–2 months.
I’m open to different opportunities — English teaching, modeling/commercial work, sports/volleyball, events, or short-term projects.
I speak fluent English, have international experience and am comfortable working with people and in front of a camera.
If you know of any opportunities or have advice on where/how to look, I’d really appreciate it! 🇨🇳

hi. filipino here. graduating university soon.

i want to learn chinese but i also know that i don't have the motivation to study any language alone. i want to study with someone. i am a beginner. i do have a wechat if anyone's interested.

How I can work in China, after lessons, when i'm 16 years old (sorry, my english bad)

Looking at an offer for a training center in a Tier 3 city. They want to hire me on a management/consultant work permit, but the actual day-to-day job is in-classroom teaching.

I understand the legal technicalities and that this is a workaround, but what is the actual reality on the ground right now in lower-tier cities?

Are PSB/Education Bureau raids actively happening in Tier 3, or are local authorities mostly looking the other way?

If caught, is the teacher usually let off with a warning/fine, or is it immediate detention and deportation?

Is this an immediate dealbreaker in 2026, or something people are still routinely doing?

Looking for honest experiences from anyone currently on the ground or who has navigated this recently.

Thanks!

I am supposed to start working at a university in Shandong province next month and I’m wondering if anyone has insight about drug tests for that location. I was a moderate cannabis user before I got the job as it’s completely legal here in the US, but stopped as soon as I knew. I’ll still test positive on a hair follicle test for a month or so after I arrive, should I be worried?

Hi everyone,

We’re looking for someone based in China, preferably around **Hangzhou/Zhuji**, who speaks **fluent English** and can represent our company when dealing with our Chinese manufacturers.

We already work with our suppliers on a daily basis, so **this is NOT a sourcing role**. We’re not looking for someone to find factories or products.

What we need is someone who can be our person on the ground: communicate our requirements clearly, turn them into **actual agreements with suppliers**, follow up, push when needed, and make sure everyone sticks to what was agreed.

We’ve noticed that making clear, firm agreements with our suppliers can sometimes be difficult from Europe, so having someone local who understands both sides would be extremely valuable.

Fluent English is really important.
If you are this person, or know someone who might be a good fit, please send me a DM!

I am currently working at Yingfu, and I'm ready to go. This job is underpaid and overworked. It was my mistake for not doing a complete deep dive into this company. I was just honestly excited to get an overseas job. But now that I'm here, I can tell this was a HORRIBLE CHOICE. PLEASE! Tell me, how can I move forward?

Here's a little about me:

I signed a 2-year contract with them [yes, I know, I know... I'm beating myself up, so please be nice. Every day I'm here I am understanding the consequences of my actions 😭🤦🏽‍♀️]

I do have my BA.

I didn't put in for reimbursement and I didn't take the IOU.

[They paid for my TEFL, so I am certified, but they have the official document.]

I've been here for a few months.

I am overworked and underpaid.

I have literally cried so many days and nights because of the stress.

I want to stay here in China and in my apartment. I just want to know, would I have to go back to the States? Or can I stay here and just transfer jobs?

Also, what are some good apps or places or WeChat groups for me to look into for another job?

Please be nice in the comments. TRUST MEEEE, THIS WAS A VERY HARD LESSON LEARNED. 😭🤦🏽‍♀️

I am entering Uni of York for my BA for History/Economics. Afterwards I aim to a MSc in Economics at LSE or other high tier universities. Obviously this is more of a dream pathway but assuming I acquire this, what are my chances of working at the New Development Bank. Or at other BRICS/ their other related organisations? What else would I need on my CV to be able to do this?

Quick hits before I sleep:

• 3-second rule. If your CV doesn't tell me what tier of school you belong in immediately, it's gone. Most teachers send the same CV everywhere. That's why you never hear back.
• Demo lessons test management, not grammar. I don't care if your activity is creative. I care if you'd melt when 40 Chinese parents add you on WeChat and question your grading.
• "Native speaker" is overrated. I've hired Filipinos, Russians, South Africans as department heads. What matters is how you frame non-native status as an asset, not an apology.
• The contract red flags nobody talks about: passport holding, vague "other duties," training fees. I've seen teachers lose ¥30k from one clause they didn't question.

Happy to expand on any of these. Also have a bunch of principal-approved CV templates and a contract checklist I used with my own hires — if anyone's actually serious about China, drop a comment and I'll figure out how to share.

Body:
Hi everyone,

I’m a nonnative primary school teacher with over three years of teaching experience. I hold a Diploma in Primary Education (with teaching practice and internship), a top-up Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, a TEFL certification, and a Diploma in Child Psychology.

I’m interested in teaching in China, but I know that many schools prefer native English speakers. For those who have taught in China or know the process, I’d love to hear:

• Is it possible for a non-native speaker like me to get a legal teaching position in China?
• What types of schools or cities are more open to hiring qualified non-native speakers?
• Any tips for improving my chances of securing a position?

Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences and advice!

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some insight from people currently working in China, especially foreign teachers and childcare practitioners.

I recently received a rejection from a prospective employer in Nanjing. They said they are currently unable to sponsor my Chinese work permit and visa because of “tightened local policies governing foreign employment in Nanjing.”

They specifically told me that authorities have raised the review threshold for foreign childcare practitioners, with stricter scrutiny over whether the position qualifies as “urgently needed foreign talent.”

They also mentioned that another fully qualified foreign infant caregiver, who has a master’s degree, had her work permit application rejected by the bureau just the previous week because the role was considered non-essential under the latest regulatory standards.

I’m trying to figure out whether this is:

1. A genuine recent tightening of policy affecting foreign workers in nurseries/kindergartens/childcare;

2. Something specific to Nanjing/Jiangsu rather than China generally;

3. A common reason for work-permit rejection in other Chinese cities; or

4. Possibly an employer-specific interpretation of the current regulations.

Has anyone recently had experience applying for a work permit for a foreign national working in a nursery, kindergarten, early-years setting, infant-care role, or similar position in China?

If you've had an application approved or rejected recently, I’d especially appreciate knowing which city/province, the type of role, your qualifications, and roughly when the application was made.

I’m not looking for legal advice, just trying to understand whether this reflects a broader change that other foreign childcare professionals are encountering.

Thanks!

Hey all. Posting this because I want honest, first-hand answers.

I’m in my twenties, hold a European passport (a British one is achievable too if that changes anything), and my background sits across B2B sales and media. I led the launch of a North American magazine’s inaugural issue, drove strong traffic and real revenue through brand partnerships, and I’ve built a track record landing international partnerships and activations with corporates and media brands.

Before any of that I was running e-commerce from age sixteen, importing from China and selling into the UK, so the entrepreneurial instinct isn’t new to me.

I looked seriously at China before and stepped back, partly other priorities, partly the practical headache of relocating on a European passport. Then I spent a month there this year, a good chunk of it in Shanghai, and something clicked. The creative, media and modelling scene there pulled me in more than I expected.
So I want the real picture from people who’ve actually done this.

What are the genuine prospects for someone with this profile relocating to Shanghai? Is anyone here in a similar position, similar age, similar background? And honestly, what’s the realistic likelihood of making this work with zero Mandarin?

Languages I do have: English, Russian, Lithuanian. Mandarin isn’t one of them yet.

Appreciate any first-hand accounts, good or bad

Hi everyone,

I’m an MA English student from India and I’m looking for fully funded internship opportunities in China that are open to international students.

I’m particularly interested in opportunities related to:

- English / English Language Teaching

- Literature or Linguistics

- Education

- International education or cultural exchange

- Academic projects

- HR or management-related roles

Ideally, I’m looking for a program that covers accommodation, meals, travel/flight expenses, visa costs, and other major expenses, rather than only offering an unpaid internship.

I’m open to short-term opportunities and would especially appreciate programs that accept Indian students currently pursuing a Master’s degree.

If you know of any legitimate university, government, NGO, or institutional program currently accepting applications, please share the details or official link.

Thank you!

Hello I am currently in the process of relocating to China with my wife who is a Chinese citizen. I am right now entering on a Q1 visa but I want to work as an English teacher while I’m there. I have an 150 hour TEFL certificate, unrelated Bachelors, no classroom teaching experience but almost a year of tutoring experience. The big problem I’m facing is that I am an Asian American and every time they ask for a short introduction video I immediately become ghosted. When my Chinese wife tries to talk to them they say they're only looking for white people. For any Asian Americans who were able to teach English in China how did you do it? Is there any known recruiters or schools that won’t just completely stop the interview process because I’m Asian. Any advice helps!

We recently expanded our tech team into China, and navigating local labor laws has been a nightmare. Initially, we looked at global platforms like deel because we already use them in europe. However, once we started dealing with china’s complex social security contributions, regional housing fund rules, and strict local employment contract regulations, the global cookie cutter approach fell short. A peer recommended PTL Group, and the difference has been night and day. Because they actually operate directly on the ground in china rather than using third party sub agents, their local HR and legal support feels much more compliant and tailored. They handle local tax filings and city specific labor policies without the usual bureaucracy.

For those of you employing full time remote staff across different Chinese provinces, how are you handling local benefits compliance? Have you noticed hidden risks with global EOR platforms?

I’m currently interviewing with a UAE company founded by former Huawei employees, and I’m curious what kind of work culture I should expect.

I can speak Mandarin, but I’m not from mainland China. For anyone who has worked at a Chinese-founded company or a company with a lot of ex-Huawei leadership, what was your experience like?

In particular, is speaking Mandarin enough to integrate well, or is there still a noticeable preference/favoritism toward mainland Chinese employees when it comes to communication, opportunities, promotions, or being part of the inner circle?

Would appreciate any firsthand experiences.

After 6 months of job searching, talking to 70+ agents, and going through multiple failed contracts with schools; I said fuck it and made my own way.

It honestly wasn't as hard as people say that it is and I personally believe this is the best option for people who don’t have bachelors degrees or are trying to stay in China past age 60. It even is allowing me to build a path towards applying for permanent residency.

I really want to share what I can about this option especially since the TEFL market is so difficult right now, especially for non-white people. There's also just a lot of misinformation on Reddit about this path so I hope that I can set some things straight for people and provide some inspiration for those who are curious :,) Posting on Reddit makes me so anxious but I want to do what I can to give back to the community that has helped me a lot so far!

I’ll get started with the first two questions I’ll probably get most of:

How did I do it?: I set up a WFOE (Chinas version of an LLC for foreigners) in Lingang Shanghai. I was able to then host my own work permit using an invitation letter from my own company.

How much did it cost: 7k RMB including registration, yearly accounting, work permit transfer, and bank/tax account setups. This does exclude office fees since those vary widely. It can be free or range up to 2800 RMB a month depending on where you set up and what you actually need.

I anticipate that I'll get a lot of questions on this post so I'm giving 24 hours for the questions to collect and then I'll go through and answer them all at once.

Please try to comment under similar questions that you have so that way the questions can stay organized and I can expand on any questions people have fully.

UPDATE: Thank you everyone for your comments! I won't be able to continue to monitor this consistently but if you would like to connect and talk more via WeChat then my DMs are open!