> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://lawrence-1.gitbook.io/south-africans-stuck-outside-china/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://lawrence-1.gitbook.io/south-africans-stuck-outside-china/teaching-legally-in-china-the-steps.md).

# Teaching (legally) in China - the steps

How do I get to China and work legally.

This is sourced from Facebook - thank you to Dawid Erasmus Smit for the info.\
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How to get to China as a TEACHER. (LEGALLY) \
What you need: \
1\. A Degree \
2\. A TEFL Certificate \
3\. A Valid Passport \
4\. NO criminal background \
5\. Time \
6\. A legal, registered school in China 

## **Step 1**

Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate at your nearest police station. \
This takes a while and could delay you, so apply with lots of time to spare. \
When you receive it in 4-6 weeks (if you're lucky), send scans of these documents to your handler in China.

## Step 2

Photocopy your Bachelors Degree in colour, and take it to a law firm, and get them to notarize the copy. It is a circular stamp in most places. \
Keep your Police Clearence safe. You don't need it just yet. 

## Step 3

Travel up to the Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria (Francious Baard Street) and get a letter verifying that the institution that you studied at is legitimate. \
The officials will stamp your Degree copy and staple a letter to it. 

## Step 4

Take your Police Clearance Original, and your Notarized Degree with letter stapled, to The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria. \
Submit your documents for legalizing. \
They take a day if you have 5 or fewer documents and you can collect them the next day. It is easier to do this in person. \
They will attach a page to the front of your Police Clearence and Degree copy, that verifies the signatures on these documents. The page they attach has a red seal on it and the documents will be bound by green cord. DO NOT DAMAGE THE SEAL OR CORD. \
This is done for free. 

## Step 5

Take your notarized, legalized documents to the Chinese Consulate/Embassy for authentication. \
They will need copies of your passport as well. You will fill in a form and submit your documents to them. They take approximately 4 days. \
There is no cost for standard service. You will receive a pink receipt. I used Durban as it was convenient for me as I live nearby. They are lovely and helpful. \
By now, your handler in China should have sent you a notification letter using the document scans you sent to them at Step 1. <br>

## Step 6

Applying for a Z Visa. \
YOU CANNOT LEGALLY WORK IN CHINA ON ANY OTHER VISA. \
You now take you NOTARIZED (LAW FIRM), LEGALIZED (DIRCO), AND AUTHENTICATED (CHINESE CONSULATE) documents to a Chinese Visa application centre, as well as the notification letter, your passport and a few copies of it, to the centre, and apply for a Z VISA. \
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Keep in mind that some schools may require you to go through a medical before you arrive in China, some don't. Do it anyway to be safe. Get your vaccinations too. Visas take about a week to process.