Budget-Friendly Student Visa Options in Shanghai

Budget-Friendly Student Visa Options in Shanghai
Jun 29, 2013 16:00
guestFart in the Wind	For the past few years, I've been studying at Jiaotong University and other schools in Shanghai in order to acquire visas, and I've been working as a tutor and document translator during this period to support myself. I'd like to continue with this relatively free lifestyle, so I'm once again looking for a school at which I can register to obtain a visa. Here I run into two problems. One problem is that I don't really feel like sitting through classes for 20 hours per week for another semester and would like to spend that time doing other things. Unfortunately, new rules have recently been passed (at Jiaotong University, at least) that stipulate that students must attend at least 2/3 of their classes or have their visa canceled. The other problem is that if I register at the one semi-private, university-affiliated school that I know of that is able to provide me with a six-month student visa, the cost after tuition and other fees is over 50% higher than studying at most universities. If it weren't for the cost, it would be ideal. They don't care about my attendance, and I can take a small number of one-on-one lessons instead of group lessons (have to register for group lessons but then can privately make alternative arrangements). Does anyone know of any schools that meet my criteria: (1) can take a small number of one-on-one lessons or not attend lessons at all and (2) don't have to pay any more than the tuition at Jiaotong University (9,100 RMB last semester)? (This visa stuff used to be so simple and cheap before the 2008 Olympics. All I had to do then was hand over 1,000 RMB or so to a "visa consulting" company, and a week later I'd have a new six-month F-visa.)

Jun 29, 2013 16:00

guestFart in the Wind

For the past few years, I've been studying at Jiaotong University and other schools in Shanghai in order to acquire visas, and I've been working as a tutor and document translator during this period to support myself. I'd like to continue with this relatively free lifestyle, so I'm once again looking for a school at which I can register to obtain a visa. Here I run into two problems.

One problem is that I don't really feel like sitting through classes for 20 hours per week for another semester and would like to spend that time doing other things. Unfortunately, new rules have recently been passed (at Jiaotong University, at least) that stipulate that students must attend at least 2/3 of their classes or have their visa canceled.

The other problem is that if I register at the one semi-private, university-affiliated school that I know of that is able to provide me with a six-month student visa, the cost after tuition and other fees is over 50% higher than studying at most universities. If it weren't for the cost, it would be ideal. They don't care about my attendance, and I can take a small number of one-on-one lessons instead of group lessons (have to register for group lessons but then can privately make alternative arrangements).

Does anyone know of any schools that meet my criteria: (1) can take a small number of one-on-one lessons or not attend lessons at all and (2) don't have to pay any more than the tuition at Jiaotong University (9,100 RMB last semester)?

(This visa stuff used to be so simple and cheap before the 2008 Olympics. All I had to do then was hand over 1,000 RMB or so to a "visa consulting" company, and a week later I'd have a new six-month F-visa.)

Jul 1, 2013 21:33	#1
GUEST5353	What about teaching English in China? You can earn some money and have some spare time to do your own things.

Aug 13, 2013 00:32	#2
GUEST36856	did you ever find a good solution to your problem? im sort of in the same boat now. looking.for options. thanks!

Aug 13, 2013 02:03	#3
GUEST34249	I'm a bit burned out with teaching English in a classroom setting. I eventually did end up taking a job teaching a non-English subject, though. This isn't exactly what I wanted to do, either, but it'll just have to work for the next year, I guess.

Sep 15, 2013 07:43	#4
GUEST14123	Hey, I'm wondering if you've found the solution to your problem? I am currently in the same dilemma. :(

Oct 21, 2013 11:08	#5
GUESTLUV	I'm having the same problem, after my 1st semester jiaotong visa expires I may apply for the same chinese course in another university, but the cheaper one.that seems like the best way now. The visa rules are a lot more strict nowadays, such a pain...

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