Filipino

Hello Chi,
Here are my answers to your questions:
- Do you have any suggestions on what visa I should get for me and my son to stay in Shanghai for 2 years?

A:  You should have a letter from the school you accepted you as their employee and from there, you can start processing your papers, (you need a lot of patience).

- Is it true that a law has been implemented that only native speakers can only apply for a visa as a teacher in Shanghai? Its not just for Shanghai, also in major cities or provinces.

- What jobs and companies do you recommend I should look for as a Filipino in Shanghai?
A: Hard to tell.

- Is it best to apply for a job online or apply for a job in person as a tourist in Shanghai?
A: job online.. yeah
Tourist in Shanghai? Do you know any friends there that can sponsor you to come?

- Which international school can I send my 6 yr old to?
A: Shanghai? Schools are very expensive especially for kids. maybe 4-6x more expensive than in pinas. Standard of living in Shanghai is so high unless you get a job there. Once you're hired. No problem. everything is free. except for the water you  drink.

Thank you for replying duchessmaria! 😃 Its a big help.

Yes i do have a friend who lives in Shanghai who is willing to help. My goal is to really live in Shanghai for 2 years with my son for whatever kind of visa if working visa is hard to get. I hope you can give an advice.

e.g. Student Visa (me and my son will enroll to a school) or Tourist visa then just keep extending?

My goal is to really live in Shanghai for 2 years with my son for whatever kind of visa if working visa is hard to get.

A: I would suggest your friends sponsor you to come to China. By the way, Do you have a college degree? if so, then come as a tourist for a month without your kid and within that time frame, you should look for companies that will hire you, then make a deal, meaning  make them put into writing that they are going to hire you coz you need that letter to go back to the Philippines and process your work visa.  But here in China, mostly, Filipinos work as singers or teachers. When you're settled, you can bring your kid with you.

e.g. Student Visa (me and my son will enroll to a school) or Tourist visa then just keep extending?

A: I am not sure about student visa.

Thank you for taking the time to reply duchess! Will certainly look into it. 😃

I don't really understand your desire to move to Shanghai.  You do realize that it is an expensive, and crowded Chinese city.

You are not a native speaker. Your BEST best is to move to a second or third tier city and teach ESL.  If your English is good, you might be able to obtain work at a better salary.  Otherwise you will be at a disadvantage.

I would strongly urge you to reconsider your target city.  Then reevaluate your plan for obtaining residency.  There are other options available to you.  Don't go the hard way when there are so many easier options.

I don't really understand your desire to move to Shanghai.  You do realize that it is an expensive, and crowded Chinese city.

-- Yes, i am fully aware of this, i actually said the same thing to my partner who got a job contract for 2 years. We both dont agree on long distance relationship. So yes! This is all for love.. I have already been judged about this, even myself is judging my own sanity for it but without details given i can only say 'He is worth the risk'.. so let's just try and if it doesnt work then we can move somewhere else 😃.

-- I am grateful for your honest input. This expat site has helped alot 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

@michelledgc

Ah.  Now it is so clear.

I too moved to China for love.  Though, I must admit that economic conditions and other things beyond my control actually accelerated the process.

OK.  Here's the good news.  You have someone in China that can help you assimilate. You will have a place to stay and you will get help in other ways.  (If they are not willing to help you in this MOST BASIC of areas, then they are not worth the move.  Take heed.)

If they are Chinese.  Even better.  Great news! You get married, and get a ten year Q2 visa. Your child can go to school and you two can be together. (If they are not willing to marry you, then you seriously need to reconsider your situation.)

If they are not Chinese, but hold a decent job in China, then YES you need to find a way to be with them.  However, there is good news on this front as well.  If you get married, then you can get a spousal visa for a resident non-Chinese. Then you can come and live there with your spouse. (Again, the "proof is in the pudding", if they are not willing to marry you, then why waste your time with them? Marriage is more than just love, it is socially accepted living agreement.)

I will put it to you simply...

Your BEST answer and solution to your situation is to marry the object of your love.  China is a traditional nation and will support your living with your spouse.  They will not break up a family.  You can do this if they are Chinese, or not.

The truth is that co-habituating lovers are not recognized as a legal entity in China.  (Are they in you nation?)  Therefor, you would expect to have problems with an International relationship. International relationships are only possible by following traditional social behaviors.

Indeed, I tried to get my (then) girlfriend to the United States.  I paid off the tickets, and made all the arrangements, and the fat black woman in the consulate refused to offer her a fiance visa.  She told her "you are too pretty".  The nerve! Ugggghhhhh!!!!!

Now... think long and hard about this.  (This is something that women seem to have a better ability to do then men.)  Are you willing to give up your plans to move with the object of your love, if they will not marry you?

Yes.  - Move on and come up with a different plan.
No. - Expect difficulties, and once you do arrive in China, expect a high risk level to lose all that you have arranged.

Good luck.

Vannrox you are an angel!

You didnt just answer my queries but you also unfolded what are considered privately hidden in my head.

I get all the convenience of marriage but aside for the fact that this is not an option for now because i am not legally separated yet from my ex-husband (annullment in the philippines only) it will also truly measure the faith i have for two people working together out of convenience, living, choosing to go through it for that human feeling called love.

If all else fail, it only means we didnt fail to try.

Thank you Vannrox 😃
Wishing you all the best,

Chi