For questions about the application process that may not be covered here or on the Academics in Asia website, please contact the Coordinator of International Operations at the Office of International Affairs (OIA) - siasuniversityois@gmail.com

The general application process is as follows:

- The applicant sends their résumé and a cover letter and fills in a questionnaire on the Academics in Asia website - http://www.academicsinasia.com/apply-now/

- Applicants are contacted for a preliminary interview. This phase usually begins in January.

- A second interview is held that will involve an academic team member or team leader.

- If hired, the applicant will be contacted by late March (if the application was submitted between November and February) with:
    - an Offer Letter and a Contract
    - List of documents required for the Invitation Letter and the PU Letter
[these are required for processing the application (handled by OIA in China) for the applicant’s visa approval by the Chinese government and, later on, their visa application].

- The applicant will be sent documentation and instructions on how to apply for the Work Visa (Z Visa) at their nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. If the applicant has dependents that they hope to bring with them to China, instructions for the Dependent Visa (S1 Visa) will also be provided.

- If/when the applicant is granted a visa by the Chinese embassy or consulate, only then will Sias book their flight to China. This is because most flights are non-refundable.

The ideal time for sending in applications is between November, and February of the next year. Applications can be sent to Sias throughout the spring, and even in the summer (June and July), however, the sooner an application is sent, the sooner it can be processed, and if the applicant is hired, the sooner the visa process can be started. This might take some time, so it is strongly recommended that the application to Sias be sent between November and February.

Covid-19

With restrictions on travel, entry, and the issuance of work visas since the Covid-19 Pandemic began, many of the scenarios listed above may be delayed or might be more complicated than in previous years. The Chinese government has not been issuing many visas since 2020. The border is not fully open, and it is unlikely that Sias will be able to bring teachers to China until the current policies change.

OIA will inform applicants of the restrictions and regulations instituted by the Chinese government concerning the granting of visas, and mandatory quarantines upon entry to China.