19y/o South African Woman Jailed for Teaching English in China Without Visa

19y/o South African Woman Jailed for Teaching English in China Without Visa
Dec 13, 2018 By eChinacities.com

A 19-year-old South African woman has apparently been jailed in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, because she came to teach English in China on the wrong visa. According to reports, Tristan-Lee Niemand from East London has been held since November 16 after a recruitment agency told her to come to China without a work permit on the promise of getting her the necessary documents on arrival.

 
Photo: torange.biz

Niemand’s mother, Stacey-Lee, who told EWN she has had no contact with her daughter, has been pleading with South African officials and the Chinese consulate to secure her release. "She's a South African citizen. When she's there she has a consulate or embassy that's supposed to look after her when she faces trouble, but they have totally blindsided her. They haven't even visited her," she said.

Earlier this year, 50 South Africans were released by China after being detained for months in Changchun, Jilin province, when they were found to be teaching without the correct visas. The Chinese government, however, acknowledged that the group had been scammed by a representative for Youth International. The rep apparently lured the South Africans to the country on the promise of work visas, and the group was detained in order to testify against the offender.

Similarly, it is thought Niemand is also being held so she can give evidence against the recruitment agency she was dealing with.

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Keywords: teaching English in China South African woman jailed in China

4 Comments

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seechrns

I've heard all what the poster is saying! I am new to China and only came because I was approached by major company in New York. Since being here I hear many education professionals talking about the buffer of the middle man, ie the agency. It's good that the bar has been raised so fake degree jokers from Pizza Hut can't just roll up in here and teach, so the next step could be regulation adjustment so schools don't have to go through an agency, a return to 5-10 years ago. I'd likely stay if that happens soon.

Jan 05, 2019 18:21 Report Abuse

Guest15051816

I am getting sick and tired of the hiring process now. 5-10 years ago, I used to be able to meet with schools and get hired without recruiters being too involved. They would match me with a school, but it was much quicker and much more sensible to have me talk with the school. Now, there is bait and switch, bait and switch. They have you interview with them, even with all the paperwork and documents ready, they then tell you about other jobs after the interview. If you don't take it, they never talk to you, and you never had a chance to speak with the school. Things have greatly changed for the worst here in China.

Dec 14, 2018 07:18 Report Abuse