Making the jump to China HELP

I will attempt to send money by myself on Monday from Ag Bank of China. Previously, Bank of China, (despite my 'international account') explained in perfect English that it was impossible for foreigners to transfer money out of the country with Bank of China. I will update you on Monday to see how this works.

Money Gram / Western Union. Foreigners can use them no problem. Fees are high and limits vary (daily, monthly and yearly ones).

Alipay doesn't work because 99.9% of foreign teachers will never get a green card. The green card gives you an ID number just like a local. Life would be much easier with one of these. However, a Chinese friend CAN use Alipay to send money to your account. However, last time I tried it wouldn't work for me because the form requires a SWIFT code which British banks do not use and you couldn't continue without it. An American colleague using a Chinese friend has successfully sent money this way.

 Paypal works but it is pretty expensive.

@MasterTim, It is absolutely possibly to organise this on a monthly basis. I did it for years by going to the bank with a Chinese student (organised by the uni), putting the money in their account and getting them to send it is the cheapest and easiest way, from my experience. Some people don't like it, but you are with the student at all times and typically those are students in a Foreign language or English association. It is their 'job' to help foreign teachers and they like doing it.
 

I was just living in China and wired money back a couple of times, it's a pain but there are 3 options you can do (there MIGHT be a way to do it via PayPal setting up a Chinese PayPal account, friend said it worked sometimes and sometimes it didn't)

1) Western Union: Bank of China does it, without documentation its $500/day (in reality its like $484 as there is a $16 service charge), took them like 90 minutes to figure out how to do it

2) IF you can get all the proper paperwork (tax forms etc) you can wire your entire salary back by yourself, BUT this means going to like 3 different offices to get the right forms and again don't expect much English to be spoken

3) Perhaps the easiest way to do it, get a Chinese friend to wire it back from their own account, Chinese citizens can send out like $50k/year, transfer the money to their account then they can send it for you

HTH

I would be interested in China in the future if not for their retarded policy on wiring money. You're basically living hand to mouth unless you can easily transfer savings in and out of the country. Forget trusting a Chinese 'friend'.

I live in China - you can send up to $500 USD out of the country per day, but no more than 2 consecutive days. So you can send on day 1, send on day 2, day 3 nothing, send on day 4 etc...
This is with Bank of China so you can definitely send money with them but the $500 limit is from the government. It costs 200 RMB to send the money.

You can also use paypal, set up a Chinese account and send it to your US/UK/whatever account and withdraw it from there. It's super easy.

I would be interested in China in the future if not for their retarded policy on wiring money. You're basically living hand to mouth unless you can easily transfer savings in and out of the country. Forget trusting a Chinese 'friend'.

trust me thats the tip of the iceberg, getting most things that are very easy to do in Korea are an incredible pain the butt from getting cell phone service, internet hooked up, opening a bank account, going to the doctor, heck even checking into a hotel. The Chinese bureaucracy is notorious for a reason

If Shanghai wasn't in China it would be a fabulous city to live in

Well if China wants to attract more foreign teachers, they might want to hurry up and fix that stupid wiring money out rule.  It's probably off putting as most eslers go abroad to pay their student loans or whatever. 

Well if China wants to attract more foreign teachers, they might want to hurry up and fix that stupid wiring money out rule.  It's probably off putting as most eslers go abroad to pay their student loans or whatever.

I used to teach in China. I was easily as able to use one of China's biggest banks, ICBC, to wire roughly $4500 to my american bank account (Wells Fargo). Commonly what people say about China and what laws are talked about simply are not actually true in practice. I've heard sending money out of China was "shady" but when I tried I just walked right up to the teller at the bank and said what I wanted, gave the wiring information, and it was done in 24 hours. China is complex and few rules are set in stone.

I have an interactive white board, projector and a computer built in to my podiums at a public university.

I'm very happy in China. I was thinking about heading back to Korea recently.... realised that would most likely be a mistake, financially and in lifestyle. I may still leave China at the end of this semester but it'll only be for a position providing a significantly better overall package.

Salaries are low there.  But cost of living cheap and provided housing still make it possible to save in a uni job?  Sounds like a sweet package if it were.

Salaries are sometimes lower. Mine was lower (not by much) in China, but I had coworkers who made way more than EPIK teachers can make in Korea. There is a lot more mobility there for teachers if u play your cards right. Foreigners can even become vice principals if they bother to get an online degree while teaching, sometimes even if you just stay a while you can move up to some level of upper management with a big pay bump. Just depends on the school. Plus, depending on your major, you can become a subject teacher and make considerably more as well.

I used to teach in China. I was easily as able to use one of China's biggest banks, ICBC, to wire roughly $4500 to my american bank account (Wells Fargo). Commonly what people say about China and what laws are talked about simply are not actually true in practice. I've heard sending money out of China was "shady" but when I tried I just walked right up to the teller at the bank and said what I wanted, gave the wiring information, and it was done in 24 hours. China is complex and few rules are set in stone.

I just posted confirming what you said.  It is true you can send money out easily.

It possible.

Bank of China and ICBC (if I recall properly) allow you to do international transfers via online banking. You just need to provide the required tax and income documents once for them to keep on file (the first time), and then they activate the service for you on their online banking system. Once it's set up, you don't have to walk into a branch to transfer money again.

I currently use the PayPal method...it's expensive compared to other methods but it's also very useful. Will be opening an ICBC account soon-ish.

I just posted confirming what you said.  It is true you can send money out easily.

You can't confirm something that you've never done.  It doesn't matter how many times you've heard that you can do it, or have been told you can do it.  I've been told, and have read, that Portage and Main in Winnipeg is the coldest intersection in a major Canadian city.  I believe this. But, having never even set foot in Manitoba I am unable to confirm this.  You, having never lived or sent money out of China, are not in a position to confirm anything. 

You can't confirm something that you've never done.  It doesn't matter how many times you've heard that you can do it, or have been told you can do it.  I've been told, and have read, that Portage and Main in Winnipeg is the coldest intersection in a major Canadian city.  I believe this. But, having never even set foot in Manitoba I am unable to confirm this.  You, having never lived or sent money out of China, are not in a position to confirm anything. 

I don't have to do it.  I only have to take eye witness testimony and listen to those who have already done it.  (I posted numerous examples from those who have done this on another thread.)  Including a user who just replied to me what he has done as well.  Your hate and vitrol has nothing to do with this.

It possible.

Bank of China and ICBC (if I recall properly) allow you to do international transfers via online banking. You just need to provide the required tax and income documents once for them to keep on file (the first time), and then they activate the service for you on their online banking system. Once it's set up, you don't have to walk into a branch to transfer money again.

I currently use the PayPal method...it's expensive compared to other methods but it's also very useful. Will be opening an ICBC account soon-ish.

So, basically, it's almost like Korea.  A bit more paperwork to get started but almost the same.  I am sure a couple of users will be triggered by your posting of facts here however. I am glad to have done my research and find this stuff out.  It is useful to know for a long term jump.

I don't have to do it.  I only have to take eye witness testimony and listen to those who have already done it.  (I posted numerous examples from those who have done this on another thread.)  Including a user who just replied to me what he has done as well.  Your hate and vitrol has nothing to do with this.

Oh, stop being such a victim all the time. I don’t hate or like you.  Every time someone disagrees with you you take it as a personal slight.  Victim mentality. 

The simple fact is listening to someone else who has sent money out from China confirm that it can be done, does not mean you in turn can verify or confirm it. It simply doesn’t.  That’s not what confirmation means.  Argue the point and leave out the “poor me, people hate me” melodrama. 

Oh, stop being such a victim all the time. I don’t hate or like you.  Every time someone disagrees with you you take it as a personal slight.  Victim mentality. 

The simple fact is listening to someone else who has sent money out from China confirm that it can be done, does not mean you in turn can verify or confirm it. It simply doesn’t.  That’s not what confirmation means.  Argue the point and leave out the “poor me, people hate me” melodrama. 

Actually is multiple people who have said so.  If you feel this strongly about it and are so triggered perhaps you can message them all and tell them they are liars?  But go on arguing for the sake of arguing. 


I have never come across someone with such extreme negativity in my entire life. 

"You can't do this.  You can't do that.  It's impossible.  It's not real."

I'm beginning to feel sorry for you. 

I've gotta wonder if he had a head injury at some point during his time in Korea. It's the only thing that would explain his character.

I've gotta wonder if he had a head injury at some point during his time in Korea. It's the only thing that would explain his character.

Well, I wouldn't go that far about him.  That's pretty harsh.

 

Actually is multiple people who have said so.  If you feel this strongly about it and are so triggered perhaps you can message them all and tell them they are liars?  But go on arguing for the sake of arguing. 


I have never come across someone with such extreme negativity in my entire life. 

"You can't do this.  You can't do that.  It's impossible.  It's not real."

I'm beginning to feel sorry for you. 

Again, you’re making up an argument I’ve never made.  But, you know that. I’m not saying anything is impossible. I’m saying you, having never done it, are not in a position to confirm it.  It’s a very simple concept. But, notice how by simply pointing this out you started insulting me personally?  You are getting upset at me here, yet calling me triggered. You do see that your response and attacking me and trying to put comments I’ve never made in my mouth is a perfect example of someone being triggered?  But, I’m sure you’ll be able to lay the responsibility for you insulting me at my feet, somehow.  Again, just argue my points and stop making up things I’ve never said.  It’s a weird way for an adult to argue their points.  You want to be able to make false claims and not be called out on things.  When you are called out you go off on the person.  Triggered. 

No, I just don't get why you feel the need to argue on teaching in China.  If you want to teach in Korea for less then stay and teach for less.  I told you I make 3 million and you argued with me claiming it wasn't possible on another thread.  You seem rather negative and content to stay in a rut.  That's your right, but don't flame me and others for pointing out better alternatives. 

Eye witness testimony especially multiple eye witness testimonies and experiences are admissible in court as evidence.  Why is it not here?  I submitted 3 videos on another thread of folks actually in China describing their experiences.  Also, a couple of users on this thread confirimed what those other folks said in the video that you can send money home. 

Again, not sure why you are so negative and criticial of the pointing out of any alternatives.  Are you sure you're not secretely a recruiter or hakwon owner?  I can't think of any other reason.  As for me, I make okay enough for now.  But if I were any lower, I'd be gone.  There will always be a small number who stay no matter what.  Just look at Japan.  They stay through thick and thin no matter how much abuse, but most leave or don't go.  Their demand is more of a niche market anyways.  Moms don't demand native speakers for their kids like they do in Korea and China, etc.