Check two things separately: whether you meet a school's hiring criteria, and whether your qualifications and circumstances meet the applicable work-permit requirements. An invitation to interview does not resolve the second question.
Use official guidance as a starting point, then ask the employer's work-permit contact to confirm the route that applies to your case before you pay for document preparation or make travel commitments.
What does Shanghai's official guidance say?
Shanghai's published Category B criteria say foreign-language teachers should generally teach their native language and hold at least a bachelor's degree with two years of language-teaching experience. The guidance also identifies exemptions from the experience requirement for relevant degrees, home-country teaching qualifications or recognized international language-teaching certificates. Read the official criteria for the complete wording.
That is a general description of the published category, not confirmation that a particular certificate, job or applicant will be approved. The source was checked on 20 October 2026.
Can a new teacher apply?
Ask how the role's selection criteria and the applicable permit route treat your qualifications. The official experience exemptions mean that “no prior teaching job” and “automatically ineligible” are not interchangeable. They also do not mean every beginner or every TEFL certificate qualifies.
Give the employer accurate information about your degree, completed qualifications and relevant experience. If a course is still in progress, say so and ask what must be completed before each stage.
What should you ask before buying a course?
Ask which qualification the employer expects, how it is checked and whether it addresses your particular application route. A provider's marketing claim is not a decision by the authority processing your application.
Also consider practical preparation. Ask about lesson planning, teaching practice and feedback so that a course decision addresses the work you want to do, as well as documentation.
What documents should you prepare?
Request a case-specific checklist before ordering translations, certification or other paid services. It should explain:
- Which documents and originals are needed.
- Required formats and any timing constraints.
- Who checks the documents before submission.
- Who pays each preparation and application cost.
- What must be confirmed before travel and before starting work.
Keep sensitive documents within the agreed secure recruitment process. There is no need to put passport or background-check details into a public enquiry or website comment.
What should the school explain?
Ask who the hiring employer is, who handles the application, which role and workplace it covers and what happens if documents or approvals are delayed. General statements about “visa support” do not answer those operational questions.
For Flying English, start with the advertised role and request confirmation for your circumstances. Use the interview guide to discuss duties and support, then the moving checklist once the necessary arrangements are confirmed.