Clarification about Z-Visa and work permit requirements

My name is Michael Kleynhans, and I reside in Gauteng, South Africa.

I want to inquire about working in China and the legal requirements.

I am 32 years old, my highest qualification is a masters degree in human physiology, I work as a senior technical assistant at the University of Pretoria and I have 9 years of experience in research, community projects, teaching, curriculum design, blended learning, and learning management, I’m also a qualified assessor. Although I enjoy the academic and research environment, I feel that the time has come for me to take on new challenges and I am considering taking my experience abroad. I checked my scoring for a Chinese Z-Visa and I score 84 (this includes the 10 points added for the location you will be working in if you move to China).

This is something me and my partner have discussed for a while now and it’s a journey we would like to take together around within the next 4 to 7 months. There is, however, one challenge which I would like to get some advice on.

As it stands I know I will satisfy the requirements to teach abroad or for other types of positions as well, but my partner might have a challenge. She will be 25 by then, but she completed a Higher Certificate in Exercise Science and followed it up with an Advanced certificate, and together equals a 2-year diploma, and she also possesses the same assessor qualification. She has been teaching at a private fitness academy for various courses for 2 years and functioned as an assessor as well. She’s also been actively involved in some of our research groups projects and presented workshops for one of our FET courses at the university’s business unit. Recently she finished a training course at the Steiner Academy and is currently working in the US on a cruise liner for a 7-month contract as a fitness instructor. When she returns in March she plans on completing a TEFL certificate (I already have a TEFL certificate) and applying together for positions. This may happen between April and July 2019. I checked her score for a Z-Visa, based on her work experience, current income and the extra credit working for a fortune 500 company she scores 56  without a 4-year degree (once again this includes the 10 points for location), next year November she will be 26, along with the extra year's experience that will add another 6 points to her score which will make it 62.

I am just concerned that her only a having a 2-year qualification and not a 4-year degree will prevent her from obtaining the required working permit. As a fitness and exercise specialist with 5 years of experience, with teaching experience and multiple years of sales rep experience as well, will she qualify as a foreign expert?

Information regarding this has been very polarising, some saying someone can not work without a degree at all, while others are saying the permit can be obtained when certain conditions are met.

I would appreciate any advice to address this concern and what correct and legal (this is very important to me) avenues can be followed before we start applying for any positions in China and apply for a Z-Visa.