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Q: Is it possible to get a teaching job if I am over 65?
I would like to find an English teaching job in Shenzhen but I understand there is an age limit of 65 for teachers. Is this true for all teaching jobs? Would it be different for adult education?
2 years 40 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - Shenzhen
I just turned 60. I foolishly left a job two years ago (at the age of 58) who offered me a 3rd year contract. But I had obligations at home. I've been applying non-stop for the past several months without even a nibble (strike that, the two or three that responded first asked me how old I was. Upon answering, no other responses). I have a 15 year history of teaching in China with great success, but the CV highlights seem unworthy. It's too bad, because I'd really like to go back for a few more years. :(
No, you are too old for the most schools around the world.
It is an insurance requirement, i.e. after 60-years old insurance for such a worker is steep and employer must cover it.
I'd say, your best bet is to try to get a job as walk-in. I wouldn't recommend though to look for job this way in China because later you'll have a visa issues ...
Other, most reliable answer on your employment in China you'll get by applying for listed jobs and see the feedback you'll get.
Chinese employers won't reply with "Thank you for your application ..." notice, if for this or that reason cannot employ the applicant, i.e. you won't receive replies!.
Good luck!
icnif77:
https://www.goabroad.com/articles/teach-abroad/seniors-teaching-english-abroad-best-countries
1. Mexico 2. Ecuador 3. Malaysia 4. South Korea 5. Thailand 6. Czech Republic
Surprisingly, China and N. Horea aren't listed in the best 6 ... 
I encourage you to try it, especially if you are a native English person. Yu will be surprized to find out that there are teaching jobs unlike the age. If your experience background is outstanding, chances are greater even more.
I know plenty of post-65 teachers who have been hired at good, reputable schools in China and other parts of Asia.
charleskerr1960:
How? I am 60 and find School HR and Agents do not want to know!
PulSartre:
Keep looking, for the love of yourself. China is a huge country to not be able to find that which you seek. Seriously. When you make it, let us know too. It may take a little more than just patience, but keep searching.
octavo:
Experience and qualification will often mitigate the age factor.
icnif77:
Did you look at passports of so many over 65-y old employees and you saw a Residence permit stamp?
You didn't, I know ..., so you can't be certain under which circumstances (visa) such foreign workers were employed.
I have doubts about yer "plenty ...", too!
Anyhow, your statement is very misleading bordering on lying! Stick "I give hope ..." into the place where the sun doesn't shine!
LYING on public thread!
octavo:
Reputation and "pull" of the school also seems to be a factor, as well as the province/city. Also, if you are well qualified for admin position, there does not seem to be any type of age limit on those, for many provinces. .
icnif77:
Pull of the school or 'guanxi' as we use to call it doesn't exist anymore since all WP application system was moved online. Provincial or city's Foreign Expert Bureau doesn't have a word anymore at selecting of right laowai for Working permit.
Since June, 2017 there is a new online system in place and only after WP is confirmed, RP sponsor applies at provincial or city's level, but issuing of WP is the key to further RP ... or in other words YOU ASSUMED ...
I've known older teachers working in China, it used to be doable, possibly not strictly legal but still doable.
Since then they've tightened up the system though, I don't know what the new rules are and how they're enforced but I'd guess it's harder than it was. Possibly still doable though.
If you're in China and they're able to employ you (or there's some room for them to bend the rules) I'm sure you'll find something, the borders are closed, nobody can enter China so it's a bit of a job seekers market at the moment. If you're not in China it doesn't matter what your age is, you can't get there to work so I doubt they'd even read your letter past where it says 'currently living in....'
icnif77:
Only possible way to work legally as older than 60-y before June, 2017 (new Law) was to bend the knee of Foreign Expert Bureau, which granted Working permit.
The other (not legal !) way was one could be employed with F (Business) visa.
I worked with F at my start in China and a week before 6-m expiration, School's rep. took my passport and came back in the afternoon with new 6-m F. No exit China or anything like that. No Working permit or Release letter, either.
Very comfy for the employer. City was Hangzhou and employer name was Helen Group. They had a hand over city's FEB ...
Stiggs:
One of the people I know has been there for years, working in the same city. He would have been well under 60 when he started there, definitely much older than 60 now and I think still working. He hasn't been on anything sketchy like a tourist visa this whole time, he has always been legal.
A couple of others I knew back in the day when rules were more flexible than now and like I said, I assume the rules are tighter now but really don't know.
OP should call, or check the website of the local Chinese embassy.
https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-work-permits-are-you-a-b-c-tie...
China Work Permit point system, i.e. tier A, B or C ...
Pay attention to "Age" part of the questionaire as "56 - 60 years old = 5 points" and last one "Older than 60 = 0 points" ....
This part is c&p from the weblink at search for
"Can you legally work in China after 65-years of age?"
"It is difficult to obtain a work permit for China if you are age 65 or older, but it can be done in some circumstances. For advisory on your situation, please contact ..."
I am unable to find whole post/reply at the weblink ...
They could be employed as PR in the teaching recruiting companies. Their expeience is outstanding, unlike the age. Their commitment comes in line with the awareness that at their age be employed is not that simple, yet not impossible. Thus, they will do their best to prove they are competent. I insist, it is not impossible to be employed at this age, in China.
Very difficult unless you hold a category-A work permit. Even if you hold a Chinese Green Card, this is past the retirement age.
To teach beyond the age of 60 there are two mechanisms which are possible. The first is to work at a university or college ... these institutions usually allow past age 60 teaching. The other mechanism is regionally-based ... there are some cities/regions which have no upper age limits, so do a little research yourself on where you'd like to go. And talk to agents or people who have a bunch of experience workiing in China (often not an agent I'm sorry to say) who know the story for your prospective area.
I just turned 60. I foolishly left a job two years ago (at the age of 58) who offered me a 3rd year contract. But I had obligations at home. I've been applying non-stop for the past several months without even a nibble (strike that, the two or three that responded first asked me how old I was. Upon answering, no other responses). I have a 15 year history of teaching in China with great success, but the CV highlights seem unworthy. It's too bad, because I'd really like to go back for a few more years. :(
