Jobs in China for foreigners without a degree: Where to look, how visas work, what to expect

Thinking about moving to China but worried that it's impossible to find jobs in China for foreigners without a degree? While having a degree can make things easier, it's not the only path to a successful career in the country. The key is understanding where to look, how to navigate the work visa process, and what challenges to prepare for.

This guide will walk you through the most important things you need to know. We'll cover realistic job options, how to find work, visa requirements, salary expectations, and how to manage your finances abroad with a modern solution like Wise. Let's get started

Can foreigners really work in China without a degree?

Yes, foreigners can work in China without a degree, but the opportunities will be realistically limited.

As the Chinese business landscape is pretty big, there’s indeed demand for entry foreign talent to enter roles that require irreplaceable skills in language, cultural understanding, and foreign customer service.

More important than a degree is the laws about work visas and permits in China. Working without a proper work visa or permit can result in severe penalties.

Entry-level opportunities to work in China with no degree

With a booming economy, job opportunities for foreigners in China are vast and varied. And of course there are still demands for some job sectors in China that let you work without a degree. Let’s explore some of these jobs in China:

One of the most common paths for expats in China is teaching English, because there’s a huge number of English learners across the country and ongoing demand for qualified teachers. While most formal teaching jobs officially require a bachelor’s degree for a work visa, many language schools will still show interest in native English speakers or people with strong English skills, even if they don’t have a 4-year degree. Still, to stand out from other applicants, it’s a great idea to complete those ESL teacher training programs (like TEFL or TESOL certification).

If education is not your calling, take a look at the hospitality and tourism industry. China is vast with an ever-increasing number of foreigners visiting every year, the demand for English-native speakers in hotels, resorts, and travel agencies also rises. So many companies in this industry might be willing to sponsor you even if you don’t have a professional degree in this field.

For those who have passion in customer service, China’s busy trading hubs and international businesses present you with enormous opportunities. Many companies that work with international clients or serve expat communities are open to hiring foreigners in communication-focused roles like customer support or front-desk work.

Another route you might consider is factory or manual labor work. While less common for foreigners compared with service or language-based roles, these jobs do exist, especially in regions with high demand for labor. Some positions may only require a high school diploma and on-the-job training, giving you the chance to earn while you learn.

Where to find jobs in China without a degree

Let’s get into the details of a few popular job channel for foreigners to work in China without a degree:

• Online Job Boards: Popular job boards include LinkedIn, GoAbroad, TeachAway, HiredChina, Laowai Career, EChinaCities, and so many more
• Recruitment Agencies: Can connect you with roles that aren’t posted online. Make sure you vet them thoroughly by checking their licenses such as Human Resources Service License (人力资源服务许可证) or business license.
• Social Media & Expat Groups: There are many expat groups in WeChat that might recommend you a suitable job in China without a degree.

Navigating the China Work Visa Process Without a Degree

To work legally in China you need a work‑type visa — typically a Z visa; there is also an R visa for high‑level or urgently needed talent.

But, what exactly is a Z visa?

Well, a Z visa is a working visa in China. And Z visa is the non-negotiable eligibility to rightfully work in China, with or without a degree.

Technically, you don’t need a degree to apply for a Z visa. What you actually need is an employer who is willing to sponsor for the work visa. If you are offered the job, the employer will provide you with a Job Offer Letter and Work Permit Notification. Then, collect all the common documents needed for a Z visa such as passport, health checks, and police clearance certificates¹.

The Z visa process can be complex and sometimes confusing. Without a degree, it might get more complicated during the interview.

So if the offers seem too good to be true, you should always take a step back and research carefully.

There is another type of working visa, which is visa R. But this visa is mainly for those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed by the government of China.

Salary expectations and cost of living in China

Moving to work abroad is a big decision, so it is important to set realistic expectations about your finances in China - especially if you’re targeting no degree jobs for foreigners in first-tier cities like Shanghai or Beijing.

Salaries in bigger cities tend to be higher. For example, many English teaching jobs in those cities can range from 18,000 CNY to 35,000 CNY per month. But the living expense might also be much higher as well. Smaller cities' salaries are generally lower than first-tier cities, but your living cost can be lower as well.

Beyond the job: cultural nuances & workplace etiquette

The Chinese workplace and everyday life can feel pretty different from what you’re used to back home. If you’re planning to live and work in China, it’s good to know a few cultural and work culture basics first.

One thing many expats notice is that long hours and a strong hustle mentality are common in China, especially in big first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. In many workplaces, it’s normal for people to work late, sometimes even nights and weekends, and some employers expect you to be reachable outside regular hours.

Another everyday reality is communication and tools: instead of the messaging apps you might use in the West, WeChat is basically everyone’s go-to platform here, from daily chats to work messages and group communication. Being comfortable with WeChat makes life and work a lot easier.

Tips: Before moving to China, find out everything you need to know about WeChat

Chinese culture places a lot of importance on guanxi (关系) – basically the network of relationships and connections that help business and personal opportunities flow more smoothly. In China, people tend to do business and make hiring decisions through trust and social bonds rather than just formal credentials, so if you’re willing to meet people, make connections, and build good guanxi, some employers might feel more comfortable sponsoring your work visa even if you don’t have a degree.

Workplaces in China also often have clear hierarchies and more formality than what you might be used to in the West. That doesn’t mean everyone is unfriendly – far from it! Many local colleagues are welcoming and genuinely curious about people from other countries, and they’ll happily chat with you about cultural differences and share experiences.

One practical difference you might notice is vacation and annual leave. In China, annual leave is generally tied to how long you’ve worked in the country: if you’ve worked less than a year, you might not have paid annual leave yet, and the amount of time off increases with your tenure. In addition to annual leave, there are several national holidays throughout the year, but many companies don’t recognize Western holidays like Christmas as official days off.

How to avoid employment scams in China

It is quite common for some shady companies to take advantage of foreigners who are excited to start a new life in China. So ensure you are keeping your eye out if any company show any red flags below:

• Require you to pay any upfront payments for visa/work permit processing or job placement
• Vague job descriptions and unrealistic salary promises
• No official company registrations or contract
• Communication solely via informal messaging apps without formal contract

Some recruitment agencies will reach out to you for job opportunities in China. Before making a decision, you should carefully vet your recruitment agencies through online search and ask for reviews from other expats in China. When they send out the contract, make sure that you review your contracts thoroughly.

Some agencies or companies might invite you to come to work in China with only a tourist visa. Be aware that this is completely illegal, and it can result in severe penalties. So, you should always prioritize legal employment!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I find a job in China if I only speak English but don't have a degree?

You can find a job in China even when you don’t have a degree. Without a degree, it realistically might be tougher. But if you possess a very specific skill that is in high demand – like English skills, you might still be able to find some companies to sponsor your visa.

Is it safe to work in China without a degree if I have a legitimate job offer and visa?

It is safe to work in China without a degree, provided that you have a legitimate job offer and visa. However, make sure to check the legitimacy of the companies or agencies you want to work with!

What are the biggest financial challenges for foreigners working in China without a degree?

If you don’t have a degree, your salary might be lower than those who do, especially in major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, or Shenzhen where living costs are high. In these first-tier cities, rent, food, and other expenses can be comparable to Western cities, meaning a modest income can be eaten up quickly by day-to-day costs. However, this is less of an issue if you have extensive work experience or qualify under a talent-based visa category, which can make you eligible for higher pay or better benefits even without a traditional degree.

Moreover, managing finances when working abroad might be complicated as well. A common practice in China is that companies will transfer your salary to your Chinese bank account. If you want to transfer this salary to support your loved ones at home, you might find that traditional banks for international remittances can be confusing or costly!

This is where Wise becomes handy. Ready to experience a simple and effective way to send money from China to your home country?

Send money from China with Wise at the mid-market rate. We'll show your conversion fees upfront, so you always know what you're paying to send CNY out.

Open your Wise account quickly and easily to send CNY from your Chinese bank account or Alipay app. All you'll need is your ID and a mobile device.

With Wise you can

• Send CNY from China to your own bank account outside of China or your Wise Account.
• Eligible to send if you're not mainland Chinese (e.g., from Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau), have worked in China, and possess a valid tax record from the last 3 years. (This service is for personal accounts only.)
• Pay for your transfer using your Chinese bank account or Alipay app.
• Benefit from our collaboration with a licensed third-party payment provider in China, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Set up Auto Conversions based on your desired rate in the Wise app or use our Wise Rate Tracker to request exchange rate notifications directly to your email.
• Have supporting, English-speaking customer service to guide you through the process, including verification for your first transfer.

Open your Wise account

Sources last checked on 31-Jan-2026