Ask Headmaster Ken

Hello,

You may have already answered this question, but I've been looking through the job listings for EFL jobs in China and I'm very confused about the minimum age requirement for obtaining a work visa. Some of the ads say the minimum hiring age is 24 due to visa restrictions, others say the minimum age is 25, and most list no minimum age at all.

I am a 22-year-old American with a college degree and a CELTA certificate. Am I legally allowed to work in China? Would you please clarify the minimum age requirements, if any, for obtaining a Z-visa?

Thanks,

Doug

Hello Doug,

There is no legal prohibition to issuing a visa under the age of twenty-five.

What you are seeing is the application of a rule of thumb that looks like this: Average age upon graduation = 22 years old; plus two years relevant experience = 24 years old, and; add one year to be safe = 25 years old.

To be fully qualified, a teacher should have completed a four year degree and have two years of relevant post graduate experience.

Now, these requirement are usually stipulated in areas that are highly desired by job applicants, (Shanghai, Beijing, etc.). Other locales may not post these requirements or will waive them.

Cheers.

Thank you, this site is a great resource.