Teach English in China
There’s no EPIK or JET here — teaching in China runs entirely on the Z-visa system, and getting the requirements and a legitimate employer right matters more than in almost any other market.
No centralized programme — the Z-visa is what actually governs eligibility
Unlike Korea or Japan, China has no single government-run placement scheme. What determines whether you can legally teach is the Z (work) visa system: a bachelor's degree in any subject, plus either a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate or two years' documented teaching experience — either one satisfies the requirement, you don't need both. You'll also need a criminal background check from your home country, authenticated and generally required within about six months of applying, and age limits are informally enforced (commonly 18–60, with some provinces capping around 55 and kindergartens often preferring younger candidates).
Multiple TEFL-industry sources report a tightening of Z-visa enforcement around salary thresholds and age checks through early 2026, though we couldn't independently verify this against a primary government source — treat it as a signal to double-check current rules directly with your employer or a China-based visa agent before committing, not a confirmed policy change.
- Bachelor's degree in any subject
- A 120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate, OR 2 years' documented teaching experience
- Criminal background check, authenticated and typically valid within 6 months
- Informally enforced age limits, commonly 18–60
What you can expect to earn
Employers span training centres and language academies, kindergartens and bilingual schools, and — at the top of the pay scale — international schools. Treat the higher end of any range you see as optimistic and aggregator-sourced rather than a guaranteed average. The single biggest risk in the Chinese market isn't pay, it's legitimacy: never accept a role where the employer won't confirm Z-visa sponsorship in writing, asks for pre-placement fees, or suggests an M or L (business/tourist) visa is an acceptable stand-in for a Z visa.
| Employer type | Local currency | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Training centre / language school | ¥12,000–18,000/mo | £1,325–£1,990 |
| Kindergarten / bilingual school | ¥12,000–28,000/mo | £1,325–£3,095 |
| International school | ¥30,000–45,000/mo | £3,315–£4,970 |
Where to find real openings
Which TEFL Global course fits?
Since a 120-hour certificate is one of the two ways to satisfy the Z-visa's teaching-qualification requirement (the other being two years' experience), our Level 3, 120-Hour TEFL/TESOL Course (£169.50) gets you exactly to that threshold.
Researched July 2026 from official program pages and named recruiters where cited above. Government programs, visa rules and salary bands change — always confirm current details on the official site before applying.
FAQs about teaching in China
Yes — a bachelor’s degree in any subject is required for the Z-visa, alongside either a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate or two years of documented teaching experience.
No. Working on an M (business) or L (tourist) visa instead of a Z (work) visa is illegal and a common red flag for disreputable employers — a legitimate school will always sponsor a proper Z visa.
A 120-hour certificate is the standard used to satisfy the Z-visa’s teaching-qualification requirement if you don’t already have two years of documented teaching experience.