China is a global leader in many industries. Its explosive growth over the past thirty years has positioned it as a veritable international powerhouse, attracting the attention of international students and graduates seeking new and exciting opportunities away from home. With its economy at its strongest and poised for further growth, working in China is a lucrative prospect indeed.
International students in China have a huge selection of work opportunities that will bring them out of their comfort zone and immerse them in a new culture with its unique and exclusive experiences and challenges. According to the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, the country seeks foreign professionals to work in capacities that are deemed essential for the country’s economic and social development. So, if you are an international student who seeks to work in China after graduation, read on and discover what opportunities wait for you.
Do You Need a Visa to Work in China?
Yes, international students need a visa to work in China. In an attempt to make itself a destination for study, globalize its workforce, and attract foreign talent, China made the process for foreign students and graduates more streamlined and straightforward. The Ministries of Human Resources and Social Security announced recently that foreign graduates who earned their master’s degree or higher in China may be granted work visas immediately within a year after graduation. The same is true for graduates who earned their master’s degree or higher from state-recognized overseas universities.
In order to apply for a one-year work visa, an international student or foreign graduate must be 18 years old and above, without a criminal record, and with an average grade of B (80%) or higher. They must have a guarantee of employment from the Chinese government or a state-recognized Chinese company or multinational organization that matches their degree. The employment must also meet the local demand for skills and offer a salary that reflects local market standards.
In-Demand Job Opportunities in China
1. Teaching
With China poising itself to become an educational destination for international students and with recent successful efforts to become a global leader in commerce and industry, the need for foreign teachers has become very apparent. This is especially true for language teachers who can teach English to locals in order to prepare them for the world stage.
China puts a huge premium on education, as it is considered to be an important cultural value. This value is reflected in the very competitive salary range of RMB 14,000 – 21,000 (USD 2,500 – 3,400) for entry-level English teachers. This can go significantly higher if you are highly experienced and are offered a role in a prestigious school in a major city, where you can negotiate a monthly salary of RMB 22,000 to 32,000 RMB (USD 3,500-5,000).
There is no shortage of jobs for international graduates in the teaching profession in China. Foreign graduates are always in high demand and are needed at all levels, from kindergarten to universities and specialized instructional institutions.
2. Trade and Commerce
China owes the majority of its expansion and rises to global preeminence to trade and commerce. Starting historically in the era of the ancient Silk Road, the reputation of China as a world leader in trade continues today in the New Silk Road initiative.
There is a huge demand for foreign graduates in trade and commerce, particularly in sales management and import/export management. As the international business language is English, having a colleague fluent in English and knowledgeable in international corporate cultures is a massive benefit for Chinese companies.
If you’re working in this industry, salary rates differ from city to city, but the average is RMB 31,000 (USD 4,813), with opportunities to go higher as you climb the corporate ladder. This work opportunity in China can give you high financial benefits and such.
3. Information Technology
IT is a booming industry globally and this is reflected strongly in China, where society is heavily reliant on technology for day-to-day living. IT graduates’ salaries may range from an average low of RMB 15,300 (USD 2,223) for entry-level jobs to an average high of RMB 47,900 (USD 6,959) per month. This competitive benefit is a huge advantage to those who are interested in this lucrative industry.
As a whole, China is tech-savvy, and everything from finance, communication, transport, governance, medicine, education, and other sectors are hinged on IT. As a result, their highly-competitive IT industry is always on the lookout for fresh talents from all over the world in order to establish and integrate a Chinese tech presence globally, which presents a lucrative opportunity for international graduates seeking to work in China. At present, software development is a leading career opportunity.
4. Writing and Media
With China modernizing and establishing its presence globally to attract foreign clients and investors, experts in writing and media are in high demand. Foreign graduates are sought out as writers, translators, and content creators in English for a variety of government and private-sector endeavors that range from TV, radio, websites, legal, and others.
The industry is very profitable for international graduates, with content writers earning RMB 13,600 – 39,000 (USD 1,975 – 5,665) on average per month. Journalists are paid even more at RMB 17,500 – 50,000 (USD 2,470 – 7,264) monthly. Opportunities for growth are enormous as China continues to step forward into the world, and demand for English content is at an all-time high.
5. Marketing
Relatively new in comparison to its Western counterparts, the Chinese marketing scene is aggressively seeking talents to help established companies and an endless stream of startups penetrate local markets and the international arena.
International graduates are in high demand for marketing jobs in China, particularly in advertising, brand strategy, and design. The salary for workers in the marketing industry is among the highest for international graduates. Monthly earnings range from RMB 15,300 on the low end to RMB 54,500 (USD 2,223 – 7,845) on the higher end, with many opportunities for upward growth in the industry.
China is assured of further growth in the coming years. Their demand for international graduates in the workforce is only going to grow bigger, and it is a lucrative opportunity you don’t want to miss.
We hope this article on work opportunities in China for international students was informative and helpful. Please also check out the China Scholarships Page for more details on studying in China.
