Chance of getting employment (and thus a work permit)

I've been reading up on the threads on the forum and really starting to hesitate about the possibility of locally getting a job (and work permit). In my case the "Local job application/searching" or "on spec" situation would apply. Since I'm planning to go for a maximum period of 1 year a work permit (Visa) would be necessary. I got a bachelor degree in facility management and 5 years of relevant (full-time) job experience. I'm not picky at all of the work field or job position as long as I can financially get around and get a work permit.


Are there any people here that can share some experience or insights acquiring a "on spec" job (and work permit ofcourse..)?

(is it really that difficult? Should I be worried of not getting a job? )


Thanks for the replies in advance!

There are a couple of things, when you are considering to do this in China.

1 You don't speak Chinese

2 From your name I kind of figure you are Dutch and hence not a Native speaker of English.

3 Facility management is not really a job that is open to foreigners in China (supposing you want to continue broadening your expertise in this field)

These are the difficulties, what are the opportunities? In the big cities your opportunities lie with your countries' chamber of commerce and perhaps your embassy, talk to them in advance.

In the small(er) cities your life will be hard if you have not secured a job in advance.

You consider only going for 1 year, what employer except for english-teaching schools will find it attractive to hire someone who is going to be gone 1 year???

With your degree and experience in facility management I would try to secure a job in the real-estate industry catering to foreigners, they are always looking for people who speak multiple languages and Chinese is not always a prerequisite.

It is not really hard securing a job on site, the question is how much are you willing to get paid??? or better how much do you think you need??

Since this seems to be your first time over to China, I would suggest you to be able to fall back onto your savings if things don't work out, second I would just try for 3 months to get something done if there are no clear results after three months you will have to evaluate wether you still have enough money left to continue. That is how I started out and now I am involved in China for over 5 years.

Do not underestimate the power of luck, but don't count on it.

This is not a legal question.

If you can't answer the query just say so.


In case one hasn't noticed, there is no longer a forum for visa/employment issues. One that purports to be an attorney should know that visa can be, by definition, a legal issue.