Before signing, compare the school’s legal identity, the written contract, and the work authorization plan—do not rely on a recruiter’s promise or a sample schedule. This China foreign teacher contract checklist is for teachers considering a school job or checking terms before starting; the key point is that your actual employer, permitted work, and written duties need to line up. Requirements and procedures can differ by city and visa situation, so confirm current details locally before acting.
Verify the school and the actual employer
Ask for the full legal name of the organization that will employ and pay you, not just the school’s English brand or the recruitment agency. Check that the name on the contract matches the entity handling your employment and work-permit process. If a recruiter says one company will sponsor you while another school sets your timetable, ask both parties to explain their roles in writing.
Before accepting, request the school’s registered Chinese name and address, the name and contact details of the person responsible for HR, and a copy of the contract to review. Ask who will apply for the China work permit and related residence-permit steps, and who will notify you if a document is delayed or rejected. A school in Shanghai and a school in Chengdu may have different local processing instructions; verify the current process with the relevant local authority rather than relying on a general checklist alone.
Treat pressure to arrive or start teaching before your work authorization is in order as a serious warning sign. A Z visa, where required for entry, is not by itself proof that you can begin a particular job; check your own status and the current local procedure before working.
Get every important promise into the contract
Read the complete contract before signing, including Chinese-language pages, attachments, and any policies it refers to. Check the employer name, workplace, job title, contract term, start date, probation terms, renewal process, and how either side can end the agreement. If the English and Chinese versions differ, ask which version governs and have a trusted bilingual reviewer explain unclear clauses before you sign.
The contract should make compensation understandable: base salary, whether figures are before or after tax, pay dates, deductions, and any housing, travel, or completion allowance. Ask what conditions apply to bonuses and when they are paid. For example, “housing provided” is not specific enough unless you know whether that means a room, a monthly allowance, or reimbursement, and whether utilities are included.
Do not assume a recruiter’s WeChat message changes the contract. Ask for agreed changes—such as a guaranteed salary or a different campus—to appear in a signed contract or a clearly identified written addendum. Keep copies of every signed page and attachment.
Confirm work authorization matches the job
Ask the school to explain each work-permit and residence-permit step, what documents you must provide, and which employer is responsible for submitting them. Procedures can depend on the city, your qualifications, and your current status. Confirm the current requirements with the local work-permit service or relevant authority, and use official embassy or visa-center information for entry-visa questions.
Compare the employer and job information used in the authorization process with the contract and the work you will actually do. A promised title such as “English teacher” does not settle whether a second campus, tutoring for another company, online lessons, or non-teaching duties are permitted. Before taking on work outside the school arrangement, ask the employer and the appropriate local authority whether your authorization covers it. Keep copies of your application documents, approvals, and messages confirming who is handling each step.
Define duties, schedule, and working hours
The contract or a written schedule should explain teaching hours and other required work: preparation, meetings, training, office hours, events, and weekend duties. Clarify whether the stated weekly hours mean classroom time only or all required time at school. “Up to 20 classes” can be ambiguous if a class period is shorter than an hour or if unpaid meetings are added.
Ask how the timetable is set, how much notice you get for changes, and what happens during school holidays or exam periods. If the recruiter promised a Monday-to-Friday schedule but the school expects Saturday events in Guangzhou, get the exception and any compensation in writing. For questions about overtime, rest days, or statutory entitlements, check current local labor guidance or speak with a qualified local adviser; do not assume a rule is identical in every situation.
Check pay, deductions, and leaving terms
Write down the monthly gross salary, expected payment date, payment method, tax handling, and every possible deduction. Ask whether salary continues during school holidays, whether missed classes affect pay, and how housing or utilities are charged. If pay is delayed, a clear contract and bank records are more useful than a verbal promise. Keep payslips, transfer records, and any tax documents you receive.
Read the termination and notice clauses carefully. Look for terms about probation, early departure, flight reimbursement, training costs, penalties, and return of school property. Ask for the exact conditions behind any repayment clause before signing; do not rely on a recruiter’s summary. Keep your passport and personal documents accessible, and do not hand over originals for routine storage without a clear, legitimate reason and a safe way to retrieve them.
What People Usually Miss
The contract, the work authorization, and the day-to-day job can each describe a different arrangement. A teacher may sign with one entity, be told to report to another campus, and discover that promised tutoring or event duties were never discussed in the authorization process. Confirm who employs you, where you may work, what duties you may perform, and who handles each permit step—in writing, before you begin.
Also preserve a calm, dated record if a problem develops. Save the signed contract, schedules, payslips, permit-related messages, and relevant WeChat conversations; make a private timeline of meetings or changes. If you need help, contact the appropriate local labor or work-permit authority, or seek qualified local advice. The correct complaint route may depend on the city and the issue, so verify it rather than relying on a generic address or deadline.
A careful review now is easier than trying to resolve a mismatch after classes begin. Which contract or work-permit detail has been hardest to confirm in your city recently?
Quick Takeaways:
- Match the employer’s legal name across the contract, payroll, and work-permit process.
- Get salary, deductions, housing terms, schedule, and duties in signed writing.
- Confirm your authorization covers the employer, location, and work you will actually do.
- Save contracts, payslips, schedules, permit messages, and dated records of changes.
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