Internship in China? This article is not only interesting for students seeking for internship in China, but also companies operating in China and willing to offer students the opportunity to work in their China office and probably also expatriates living in Beijing, as their child studying abroad may be interested to come over China for internship while his parents are working in Beijing.
Nowadays, doing an internship abroad is a must, not only for a matter of improving CV but also to receive exposure to a different culture, improve language skills (Chinese and English)… Getting a job experience in China will definitely improve thestudentwork experience in a competitive job market.China, whose economy is still growing, looks like an attractive option.
There is a but: students will need a visa to come over China … and it seems that regulations are extremely vague regarding the type of visa you need to do an internship in China. Indeed, students seeking for internship in China can’t get a work visa (Z) as they don’t fulfill – at least – the “minimum 2 years working experience abroad” and eventually the license level. Since there is not yet an official regulation about visa for foreign students doing internship in China, we will only share some insights about possible options !
Insights about visa options for an internship in China
Since there is not yet an official regulation for visa for foreign internship in China, we are sharing the possible options to stay within the law.
M Visa for business and work internships:Until 2013, the F Visa was THEoption for those coming to China on a business-related internship.However, the M visais targeting at foreigners who will spend less than six months in China during any one calendar year + be frequently entering and leaving China (usually 1 month entry then need to exit) + not hold a formal senior position at an entity based in China + not receive payment from a company incorporated in China. In addition, the government has deleted reference to internship in M or F visa.
X Visa for internships while studying:for thosestudying in China and holdingan X Visa, they will beallowed to perform internships or paid work but they mustfirst submit an internship application to theirschool and obtain their approval. Once done, the student shouldthen go to the Entry and Exit Office thecity’s main Public Security Bureau to update hisresidence permit with details on the place he will beworking or interning at and the period of time that hewill be employed for. This option is valid both forpart-time job or internship with pay or internship without pay.
Not valid for students with X2 visa.
Don’t go for the illegal option:Itis absolutely illegal to perform internships on a Tourist Visa, aka L Visa.The risk: fines for sure, but most likely also deportation and forbidden to enter China at least for a period of time. Again,manyChina internships are now illegal, better to check twice if your internship will be legal than to run into trouble!
More information: check this link! Regulation may differ from province to province.
Third-party companies providing internship programs in China
Those companies are charging fees for helping students to find internship in China and solve visa issues. In most cases, those companies offer both language training and internship program, together with visa and accommodation services. The competition to get an internship in China is fierce and third-party internship organizers report a rising number of applicants and interns, and have to select the candidate that best match the internships offered byChinese companies.
We are only sharing a list of companies offering this kind of services;we didn’t work with any of them and can’t share any feedback or comment:
It also depends on the country of origin!
Regulation for visa may also depend on the country of origin… and may also vary on year-to-year basis!
Internship opportunities in NGO and Governmental Organizations (Foreign embassies…)
Some examples of institutions (Non-governmental Organizations and Governmental Organizations) offering internship options in China. Actually most embassies and consulates offer internship opportunities and we recommend you check the website of your own country to find out more.
Of course, students with Mandarin skills will be given priority…
Note: some job searchwebsites also show internship offers.
Hiring local interns
This section offers an alternative for companies who can’t offer internship to foreign students andareseeking to hire Chinese interns.
Regulations:
– only for students who have not yet obtained their graduation certificate or diploma.
– a part-time work-study arrangement is not considered employment.
– no employment relationship is constituted: the Labor Contract Lawdoesn’t apply: theemployer doesn’t need to sign a labor contract with the student. However, signingan internship agreement with their Chinese interns will definitely help toclarify issues such as confidentiality, the intern’s obligations and terms of payment.
– the company is not an employer and will not be required to pay social welfare contributions or severance payment at the termination of the internship. Company may purchase commercial insurance for interns, as itshall assume full liability for their work-related injuries.
– minimum wage standards are not applicable to interns.Employers can give an internship allowance.
Once the student is graduated, the relationship will be considered an employment.The company has one month to provide with labor contract.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/28/world/asia/foreign-students-seek-internships-in-china.html?_r=0
http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2013-04-01/the-china-internship-business-is-booming
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/795213.shtml
http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2015/01/14/employing-foreign-nationals-china-visa-procedures.html
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=324d1b36-4e90-4172-9b73-bdf478ada55a
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/student.htm