Tutoring English 1-on-1 on the side without a working-visa...

[LinZhenPu]

This is an issue that has come up in various threads on this forum, but I've not yet seen a thread specific to this issue.

 

What are the legal implications/risks or lack thereof when it comes to tutoring English 1-on-1 on the side to earn some extra money while staying in China without a working-permit, such as a tourist visa or studying.

 

This issue came up when I was having a skype video call with Alexander K. from LTL about their Chinese program. I asked what are the ways to make it cheaper. He said that one of the things that a lot of their school's students do while in Beijing is earn money by tutoring English 1-on-1 on the side for like 5-10 hours a week, making their time in China more affordable. I probed him about this, saying "Isn't that illegal since they're not on a working permit?" And he said that you can't get into trouble doing this because it's not really considered 'a job', not even part-time.

 

And then there's the recent discussion about how it's possible to get real legal part-time working rights while studying at university with an amendment of your residence permit by your local PSB.

 

What are people's thoughts, considerations and experiences around this issue? Has anyone ever gotten into trouble and fined or even deported for tutoring English 1-on-1 for a few hours a week?

[ChTTay]

I'm fairly sure I read you can work part time on an X visa now, since those changes a while back. You're supposed to get permission from your school and I think I read it was no more than 15 hours a week. Worth looking into.

Realistically, doing 1on1 tutoring is fairly low risk which is why many choose to do it. If you go to the students home, you would just be a foreigner going into an apartment building. No one knows why you're there or whether you live there or not. It would be difficult to police such work.

[LinZhenPu]

It would depend on the school and their relationship with the local PSB office whether or not you can get official permission. I don't think it could happen with a student of a private Mandarin institution but I guess I could be wrong?

[ChTTay]

I really wouldn't worry about it. I don't think anyone gets official permission really. If you do 1on1 tutoring the risk is minimal.

Working in a school is more exposed so maybe consider that more carefully.

Any language school or institution isn't going to tell you "it'll be fine" because they wouldn't want the scenario where you to do it, something happens, then they get blamed by you. If you can't do it 100% legally then they'll never tell you straight up you can do it. If you aren't comfortable just doing it anyway then I'd plan not to do it. It's likely when you arrive you'll meet many students who do it on the side then maybe reconsider.

[roddy]

There are now provisions for working on a student visa, but you need approval from your university and the local PSB. I don't recall seeing anyone saying 'Yes, I have been able to do this, 100% legit' so far. 

 

As for the risks - there's basically no way of knowing. Law enforcement in China is not consistent. It could be anything from a talking to and signing a 'I will never break the law again' letter to being kicked out with a five year ban on returning, depending on how severe they think your offense was (two hours a week to support your studies will probably look better than 40 hours a week and you were never going to class) and if they want some nice 'foreigners kicked out' headlines that week. You decide what risks you want to take. I'd recommend not working at physical schools though, as you're more likely to be caught up in police visits. Word of mouth and classified ads for private tutoring work is more sensible.

[vellocet]

The X visa allows "internships", which are supposed to be related to your major.  Get a work visa for tutoring?  Don't be absurd.  It's under the table income, cash only.  Not a word to the taxman, know what I'm saying?  To teach legally you have to be employed by a school, which as you're not qualified, is impossible.  Nobody really expects you to follow the law in China, the Chinese certainly don't.  Just don't make a spectacle of yourself, keep it quiet, don't screw over the parents or molest your students or anything, and you'll be fine.