6 Reasons Why Foreigners Get Deported from China

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s a foreigner living in China in modern times, you should expect to be under scrutiny. And if you break the rules and laws, authorities could make an example of you.

 
Here are the six reasons why foreigners face deportation from China.

1. Break the COVID rules

The easiest way to get yourself deported in the current climate is for you to break the rules implemented to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Chinese government announced that it would deport foreigners and ban them for up to 10 years if they break COVID-related rules and laws.

2. Illegal work

Illegal work is one of the main reasons for foreigners’ deportation. In a recent article, we read about Canadian English teacher Laurel, whose employer promised a Z- visa (needed to work legally in China) on her arrival in 2015. When she was about to start a class one morning while still with a tourist visa, police arrived at the school and told her she would have to fly back to Canada immediately or face time in jail.

And even if you have a Z visa, that doesn’t mean that you can work anywhere in China. Your work visa is tied to a specific employer (a school or a company).

Two things are worth noting here:

[box type=”info” align=”” class=”” width=””]First, if you are in China with a Z-visa for a specific workplace and you think you can get away with a part-time job to earn some extra money somewhere else, consider whether it’s worth the risk.

Second, you must research your employer before accepting a job offer and carefully review the details of your work visa.[/box]

Long story short, it takes a Z-visa to work legally in China.
Indeed, there are some exceptions. You can work on a “talent visa” or part-time as a student. NEVER trust employers who say that you can work on any other type of visa.

3. Drug Use

A recent offensive has brought the sale, possession, and use of illicit substances by foreigners in China into the media spotlight.

If you are a foreigner living in China or even just visiting, note that the authorities may carry out drug testing as and when they want.

Cannabis is detectable in hair samples for up to 90 days. Say you smoke weed in a country where it is legal and will reach China within 90 days. You get tested in China. If the result is positive, you have officially broken the law, although you have never taken drugs in China.

The advice here is simple. Avoid any possession, sale, purchase, or use of illicit substances before you arrive in China and during your stay in China.

4. Racism

Racism, specifically anti-Chinese racism, can be obtained by being deported from China.

5. Violence

Violence and confrontation, especially among locals, is another easy way to find yourself in trouble.

6. Violation of Cybersecurity national security laws

The cyber security of China and national security laws cover everything from insulting China and Chinese citizens on social networks to espionage.

[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””]Ensure that both your life offline and online in China are clean. When in China, it is more likely that you will be using WeChat every day.

You may also want to keep up with the latest news and views via Sina Weibo, QQ, Ping Duo Duo.

Just remember that all Chinese social media sites operate under Chinese law.

Messages you send or information you post online can be monitored and used against you. With this in mind, avoid “sensitive” topics on the Chinese Internet.

Before you get in trouble for something silly, think about the opportunities you’ll lose out on if you get deported[/box]

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