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Q: Opening a school to freelance legally?
So here is my question.I don't really want to work for any school and I dont want to work illegally. So my idea is why not just get the business license for a school and rent a small shop.(i've seen these for less than 1000 RMB a month) And basically use that as a front and just teach freelance where you want. i.e apartment,cafe, bar ect. And just use the shop as an office or clubhouse or something. And I'll be the only worker so I should be able to do my own visa and other legal things easier.
So I would have the license and the shop, So the teaching I do should be legal correct? I dont plan on growing and hiring teachers or anything.ill be the only worker. I have the resource and guanxi to get the license quite easily. I'm just curious if anyone has done this?
The reason for me doing this is because I don't like dealing with schools and visas. I'd rather do it myself and I have enough students to keep me busy.
1 more question, Would it be better to register as a training center or label the company as something else like "Language consultant professional" or something like that?
6 years 48 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
Before anybody else get all coats, I'll go with Yahoo-gle:
- How To Dodge The Bullets Of Opening A School In China | China ...www.chinalawblog.com/2008/09/opening_a_school_in_china_can.html
Sep 7, 2008 ... ... wife, owns and manages a very successful private English language school. ... Many people, Chinese and foreign alike, look at owning an English training ... Starting a foreign language school is the new Mexican joint venture. ... My observation is that if you start as a shoestring school, you'll end up ...
- I am in the process of opening a private English school in China...www.quora.com/I-am-in-the-process-of-opening-a-private-English-school-in-China-to-teach-3-to-7-year-olds-Does-anyone-have-any-advice
Hello Wayne, I am also in Zhejiang province and have opened a private English Training ... Don't say "your kid will be speaking fluent English in one to two years! ... What do I need to start a training school for teaching kids English in China?
- What do I need to start a training school for teaching kids ...www.quora.com/What-do-I-need-to-start-a-training-school-for-teaching-kids-English-in-China
Some good answers so far. I would add a couple of points however. Nobody seems to have ... Opening a school in China (or anywhere for that matter) is a huge undertaking. There are ... I am in the process of opening a private English school in China to teach 3 to 7 year olds. ... Hire all native English-speaking teachers. 5.
- China : How to start a language school in Chinawww.chinaorbit.com/china-economy/how-to-in-china/start-a-language-school.html
Why did you decide to start a language school for foreign students in China? ... some Chinese before or are at an advance level, we organize private classes, ...
- Starting an English School in China - Teaching English in China ...www.chinese-forums.com/forums/topic/21841-starting-an-english-school-in-china/
Jul 17, 2009 ... I grew up speaking Mandarin chinese and considered myself very fluent in ... and get a few foreigner(possibly even as business partners) start from there. .... To open an English school that employers foreigners in China you need to .... English in a school, then started to get private students on the side, ...
- Start-Up Costs and Procedures For English Teaching School? -...www.shanghaiexpat.com/phpbbforum/start-up-costs-and-procedures-for-english-teaching-school-t122053.html
Mar 10, 2017 ... To start a legitimate business teaching English, are the legalities the same as for any other ... There maybe thousands of english schools in China. ... I'm also interested in setting up a language school for other language.
- So You Want to Open a Language School? by David Will « IH Journalihjournal.com/so-you-want-to-open-a-language-school-by-david-will
Let's grasp the nettle at the start and sort out finance, for without a proper ... territory (teaching English in Vancouver, or Mandarin in China) then your markets are ...
- Your Own School - Genki Englishgenkienglish.net/teaching/tips-for-starting-your-own-school/
As a great Genki English teacher you certainly deserve the freedom to teach ... Start your own School Tip 7: How to get more students then you'll ever need ...
- How the ESL Industry in China is Changing | Go Overseaswww.gooverseas.com/blog/how-the-esl-industry-in-china-is-changing
Feb 1, 2016 ... In this case, it's a native-speaking English teacher starting in ... that in 2005 Chinaalready contained 50,000 private language schools, ... nine, and some schools in China's larger cities start teaching English as young as six.
- Charter Operator BASIS Opening Private School in China - Market...marketbrief.edweek.org/marketplace-k-12/charter_operator_basis_opening_private_school_in_china/
Aug 7, 2015 ... Charter Operator BASIS Opening Private School in China ... e-mail, said BASIS will comply with Chinese government regulations, meaning it ... international schools in China, meaning schools where English is the language ...
Another reason why this would be way easier is because I stay in china 1 or 2 years and stay in my country for 1 or 2 years at a time and back and forth. So to legally work every time I go back I have to find this school online and Skype interview, sending documents and all this shit without even seeing the school. Its always a gamble. If I had my own business in china I could get myself a visa when I come back to china and could possibly still work legally.
This maybe not work but its cool to brainstorm ideas.
Before anybody else get all coats, I'll go with Yahoo-gle:
- How To Dodge The Bullets Of Opening A School In China | China ...www.chinalawblog.com/2008/09/opening_a_school_in_china_can.html
Sep 7, 2008 ... ... wife, owns and manages a very successful private English language school. ... Many people, Chinese and foreign alike, look at owning an English training ... Starting a foreign language school is the new Mexican joint venture. ... My observation is that if you start as a shoestring school, you'll end up ...
- I am in the process of opening a private English school in China...www.quora.com/I-am-in-the-process-of-opening-a-private-English-school-in-China-to-teach-3-to-7-year-olds-Does-anyone-have-any-advice
Hello Wayne, I am also in Zhejiang province and have opened a private English Training ... Don't say "your kid will be speaking fluent English in one to two years! ... What do I need to start a training school for teaching kids English in China?
- What do I need to start a training school for teaching kids ...www.quora.com/What-do-I-need-to-start-a-training-school-for-teaching-kids-English-in-China
Some good answers so far. I would add a couple of points however. Nobody seems to have ... Opening a school in China (or anywhere for that matter) is a huge undertaking. There are ... I am in the process of opening a private English school in China to teach 3 to 7 year olds. ... Hire all native English-speaking teachers. 5.
- China : How to start a language school in Chinawww.chinaorbit.com/china-economy/how-to-in-china/start-a-language-school.html
Why did you decide to start a language school for foreign students in China? ... some Chinese before or are at an advance level, we organize private classes, ...
- Starting an English School in China - Teaching English in China ...www.chinese-forums.com/forums/topic/21841-starting-an-english-school-in-china/
Jul 17, 2009 ... I grew up speaking Mandarin chinese and considered myself very fluent in ... and get a few foreigner(possibly even as business partners) start from there. .... To open an English school that employers foreigners in China you need to .... English in a school, then started to get private students on the side, ...
- Start-Up Costs and Procedures For English Teaching School? -...www.shanghaiexpat.com/phpbbforum/start-up-costs-and-procedures-for-english-teaching-school-t122053.html
Mar 10, 2017 ... To start a legitimate business teaching English, are the legalities the same as for any other ... There maybe thousands of english schools in China. ... I'm also interested in setting up a language school for other language.
- So You Want to Open a Language School? by David Will « IH Journalihjournal.com/so-you-want-to-open-a-language-school-by-david-will
Let's grasp the nettle at the start and sort out finance, for without a proper ... territory (teaching English in Vancouver, or Mandarin in China) then your markets are ...
- Your Own School - Genki Englishgenkienglish.net/teaching/tips-for-starting-your-own-school/
As a great Genki English teacher you certainly deserve the freedom to teach ... Start your own School Tip 7: How to get more students then you'll ever need ...
- How the ESL Industry in China is Changing | Go Overseaswww.gooverseas.com/blog/how-the-esl-industry-in-china-is-changing
Feb 1, 2016 ... In this case, it's a native-speaking English teacher starting in ... that in 2005 Chinaalready contained 50,000 private language schools, ... nine, and some schools in China's larger cities start teaching English as young as six.
- Charter Operator BASIS Opening Private School in China - Market...marketbrief.edweek.org/marketplace-k-12/charter_operator_basis_opening_private_school_in_china/
Aug 7, 2015 ... Charter Operator BASIS Opening Private School in China ... e-mail, said BASIS will comply with Chinese government regulations, meaning it ... international schools in China, meaning schools where English is the language ...
Are you sure you have the resources and guanxi to get a school licence?
It's not an easy thing to do, lots of red tape and obstacles and knowing China it's probably different everywhere you go but I suppose if you knew the right people it might make things easier. It would still be a nightmare though.
biggj123:
Yeah i quite sure I can get it no problem but another question I had since it's not really a "school" I could label the business as something else like and basically just "consult" people on English. Like use a technical loophole or something. So if you are ever ask by the police or whoever, I want my ass to be technically covered without having to bribe them.
Hotwater:
"So if you are ever ask by the police or whoever, I want my ass to be technically covered without having to bribe them."
If you're planning to own any sort of business in China as a foreigner you need your ass FULLY covered!
RandomGuy:
You can't get your ass legally covered for that, Foreigners are simply not allowed to fully operate educational institutions in China, your only option is to register a consulting WFOE with a vague description of your operational scope and pray that no one investigates your business in details (though they usually don't care unless you piss off the wrong person). I know fully-foreign-owned training centers that have been operating for years and years under that scheme.
If you provide services based and invoiced in China you need the proper Z Visa. Check http://www.chinalawblog.com/?s=Opening+a+business for some alternatives. By owning a business you can get a Z Visa and potentially a Residence permit.
Just to give you an idea:
As you want to start the business by yourself (only yourself) we are speaking of a wfoe.
To open up a wfoe in the education industry requires 1 million RMB cash deposit in a bank account. The process takes up to 6 month or even longer.
If you are the legal rep. of the company, you can supply yourself with a visa.
Of course you can teach then under your own school, but at the same time it also means you have to deal with tax, tax audits, account bookings etc. (I doubt you can handle it without help)
I guess if it would be easy, most people would have done it already. Cover it up as consultant or whatever, you didn't exactly cover your ass and are technically still illegal
RandomGuy:
The only school that Foreigners are allowed to operate is a school for children of other Foreigners, in no way are Foreigners allowed to start a school to teach children of Chinese. And yes, starting and maintaining a school for children of expats is horribly expensive and not worth the effort. OP's better option is to start a consulting WFOE with a relatively vague description of the scope of services he wants to provide, then pray that no one investigates his activities. But he should be alright for as long he doesn't piss off the wrong person, the government usually don't care for as long tax money comes in and they can pocket it.
dom87:
guess would also depending on the city...
wouldn't try this in shanghai or beijing.
But since his whole purpose was to work "legally", taking the consulting route won't make it better. So he could just freelance on business or yet better, marriage visa
biggj123:
Money is not the issue. I have more than enough in the bank and could do a JV or a WfOE either or does not matter. I can do the licence though my step uncles legal "team". My question is really what is the best bet to go with the purpose I want it for.
When you start doing your applications, you have to include a detailed 'business scope'. If you're going to be a consulting company, then that must be what the scope is all about. For consulting, it specifically is not teaching!
So, if you then go teaching, you'd still be operating illegally...
As Dom said above, you need a minimum of capital (how much may vary - but it isn't going to be cheap!) This, really, is the biggest drawback of your idea!
If you're going to open as a training centre, then it gets sticky... the government isn't too fond of foreigners having control of education here...
RandomGuy:
Actually, consulting is what you want to start for a school or a training center. WFOEs come in 3 categories, consulting, trading and manufacturing. Only manufacturing WFOEs require a starting capital. For consulting WFOEs it doesn't require any capital, but you must be renting a commercial office before applying for the license.
Foreigners are simply not allowed to operate educational companies so start a consulting WFOE, no need to partner with a Chinese, rent a commercial office, register your business scope as something relatively wide and vague "offering global consulting to Chinese people", pray that no one decides to investigate your business in details. There are 3 types of WFOE, consulting, trading and manufacturing. Unlike what was said in this thread, there is no minimum liable capital required for a consulting WFOE, the only type of WFOE that requires RMB 1 million investment is manufacturing.
Shining_brow:
Your information differs to the information given to me.... in regards to capital.
Yes, there are 3 overarching categories, but I was referring to specific business scope - so 'consulting' =/= 'teaching'.
RandomGuy:
Shining -> Foreigners are not allowed to own educational companies in China, for obvious reasons that the CCP wants to control thought, with the very exception of schools solely aimed at kids of other Foreigners. For this particular type of school, a RMB 1 million liable capital is required from the start.
Otherwise there is simply no way for Foreigners to legally own a training center or a school aimed at Chinese kids. The closest one can get to is to register a consulting WFOE with a vague business scope and run your school/center under it while hoping that no one in the government gets too suspicious about your company.
For a consulting WFOE, no starting capital is required as of January 1st 2016 with a few exceptions such as the aforementioned 'school aimed at foreign kids', same thing for a trading WFOE, a manufacturing WFOE still require a starting capital. Basically, businesses that will require a specific and costly infrastructure from the beginning still require a starting capital, while businesses where you can just rent a tiny office and hopefully grow from it, do not require a starting capital anymore.
Any Foreigner who claims to you that they are fully owning a 100% legal training center is lying, they most likely own a consulting office and use it as a training center. There is a sharp difference because registering a consulting WFOE and using it to teach is not very legal at all and you will have no recourse if caught (unlikely to happen).
dom87:
so now I can start an internet based service business (whatever if you name it consulting or toilet scrubbing) I do not need any capital for this?
But I still assume that getting the license still cost quite some money?
Shining_brow:
RG - If you read what I wrote more carefully, I don't actually contradict you or your idea (other than where I specifically said so). Having a consulting company and teaching under it would be illegal. (I do need, however, to fully confirm that a WOFE can't have a specific type of training centre... eg TOEFL, SAT, GRE, etc etc)
You are also only referring to WOFEs... a JV can get away with having a training centre and be teaching - so if OP has a Chinese partner, s/he could do that (if they have the money!)
I also need to check on the zero capital bit... my business formation guy is telling me I need about 25K in a bank account for a minimum of 3 months (although, that may be if I do it through my HK company...)
RandomGuy:
You need to pay the administrative fees and you need to be renting a physical office, you can't register a WFOE using a virtual office.
RandomGuy:
Shining -> Yes, a JV can provide educational services, but I would advise against it unless the Chinese part is someone like your wife, there has been too many cases of the Chinese part booting the Foreigner out once they didn't need him anymore. There are many legit and shady ways for them to do so and for the shady ones they don't need your agreement, many many cases of Foreign parts in JV being jailed and deported on false pretenses after being backstabbed by their Chinese partner.
Shining_brow:
=> RandomGuy... TBH, I'd be very cautious about setting up with one's spouse as well! Logically, they should be the person you trust most... however, 30% and climbing of married people may disagree after a few years!
Ultimately a waste of your time.
It is far less profitable and far more stressful to be dealing with the locals face to face every day and teaching their children.
There are other avenues of income for you to take, I advise you research them instead.
Why wouldn't OP just work at a university for 10 hours a week to secure a visa lmao
dom87:
maybe because he wanna be visa independent?
It sucks to be bound to an employer, they have the control over your resident status and always will use it against you
biggj123:
This whole issue is because I don't want to deal with a school to work legally. And now you have to apply for z visa from your own country. I don't want to get a job (expecially in china) without actually meeting the staff and seeing the school in person. And I come to china every other year and don't want to have to deal with that bullshit over and over again. Once is fine, not every year.
