Application Process
Is this program open to applicants of all nationalities?
This program is open to applicants of all nationalities. However, visa application requirements may vary for applicants from some countries.
What is the application process?
Please see the application procedure page for information on how to apply.
When is the deadline for an application?
We normally like to allow at least six weeks prior to your program start date to organize your internship placement. In addition, places in some sectors can be limited, therefore we recommend that you apply as early as possible to allow us to find the most suitable company for you.
What qualifications do I need to apply?
All applicants must have completed or be currently enrolled in a degree program. We are also looking for you to exhibit a strong academic record, and an interest in foreign travel and culture. Fluent English is essential; if you speak some Chinese and would like to practice your language skills we can find you a company where this is possible.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
Chinese language skills are not required. Some of your Chinese colleagues will be able to speak English. We ensure that you have an English-speaking supervisor who can act as your mentor and provide structure and support throughout your work experience.
Why should I arrange an internship through CRCC Asia?
It would be possible to arrive in Beijing or Shanghai and search for your own internship, but it can be extremely difficult without a good business network. By applying to CRCC Asia you are ensuring that you get a high quality internship, good quality accommodation, and that all the pre-departure preparations are taken care of by a team of experts.
We organize the paperwork for your business visa, which needs to be obtained from Beijing or Shanghai with co-operation from the relevant authorities Beijing this is something that other companies may bypass by providing a tourist visa, which is not legitimate for an internship in China. We arrange your safe arrival into the city by meeting you and your fellow interns at the airport, after which you will all be taken to your accommodation, and you will be given a full day of comprehensive training on Chinese culture and business etiquette.
You’ll be living and socializing alongside your fellow interns, who will offer significant camaraderie and companionship throughout the program. You will take part in the weekly social and professional activities that CRCC Asia organizes on your behalf including karaoke, a Chinese banquet and business networking events.
Our program takes away any hassle and allows you to focus on your ambitions for your time in China.
I’m a Chinese national, can I still apply?
Our program is primarily designed for passionate individuals with suitable education and work experience; we do not restrict applications based on the nationality or cultural background of an applicant.
We welcome applications from Chinese nationals, those both living overseas and currently in China.
Can current university students apply?
We welcome applicants from graduates and talented current university students who are able to display the ambition and drive necessary to work abroad in China.
Students on their gap-year and pre-university students are also encouraged to apply, depending on their past experience and overall suitability for the program.
What does “CRCC” stand for?
Our Directors founded the companies China Recruitment Ltd and China Consulting Ltd in London, UK in 2006. The companies provided internship opportunities and intensive Mandarin Chinese courses for students looking to gain experience in China, and offered strategic assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises looking to enter the Chinese market.
China Recruitment Ltd (CR) and China Consulting Ltd (CC) merged in December 2008, leading to the formation of CRCC Asia.
Pre-Departure
How do I obtain a visa for China?
For all visa related questions, please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see our Visa FAQ section.
Do I need to get vaccinations before I go to China?
Certain vaccinations are often advised for China including: Tetanus, Polio, and Hepatitis. We recommend that you consult your doctor prior to traveling.
What clothes and other things should I take to China?
Please ensure you have business attire for your internship: suit, shirt, tie etc. You will also need to bring a laptop. Make sure you have some casual clothes, warmer clothes from October to March and lighter clothes from April to September.
Your regional office will be able to advise you on what to bring at the time of year that you depart, and you will receive a pre-departure list that provides more detail about what to pack.
How do I book my flights to China?
Please note that the cost of your flight ticket, and travel insurance, is not included in our program prices. You will need to purchase your return flight ticket ensuring that your flight arrives in either Beijing International Airport (PEK) or Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), depending on which location you choose to apply to. Please make sure your flight arrives between the hours of 9am and 9pm in order for us to guarantee airport arrival services.
CRCC Asia partners with a number of travel agents in the UK, USA and Australia to help provide interns with flight recommendations, details of which can be provided upon request.
In China
How much money will I need to cover living costs while I’m in Beijing or Shanghai?
The cost of living in Beijing and Shanghai varies depending on how you choose to spend your money – residents earn very diverse levels of income and as a result the city offers a huge amount of choice in everything from restaurants to transport.
It is possible to live comfortably on a budget of as little as 30RMB ($4/£3/€3) per day by eating at snack stalls, taking the bus and limiting your time in bars, but if you eat at Western style restaurants, take many taxis and spend more time out and about, you could spend up to 300RMB ($40/£30/€34) per day. As a rule of thumb we recommend a budget of 50RMB ($7/£5/€6) per day during the week and 150RMB ($20/£15/€12) per day for weekends.
What happens when I land at the airport?
All participants are instructed to arrive between 9am Beijing 9pm on your program start date and members of staff from CRCC Asia will be waiting for you at the arrival gate. If you cannot see them, turn on your mobile so that they can contact you. Your pre-departure list will have the numbers of those staff members who are due to meet you.
Where will I live?
Your accommodation is included within the program fee. We place everyone in modern, comfortable, serviced apartments in the centre of Beijing and Shanghai. We ensure that all the apartments are clean, pleasant spaces to live in with TV, internet access, a lounge, a kitchen and air conditioning.
You will have your own private bedroom and share living facilities with one or two other interns of the same gender. CRCC Asia is different from other programs in that we accommodate all of our participants in the same building. This allows everyone to have the same standard of accommodation and to socialize with each other more easily.
What if I have my own accommodation?
In cases where you already have accommodation in Beijing or Shanghai and would like to take a program with CRCC Asia, please speak to your Regional Manager.
How do I prepare myself to visit China and work in a Chinese workplace?
CRCC Asia will give you comprehensive training on working in China once you arrive. This includes an introduction to Chinese business etiquette and culture, which will help you feel more comfortable working in a foreign environment.
In addition, once you join the program and before you travel to China, we will send you a pre-departure pack with advice on how to prepare yourself for your time in China.
What happens if I have any problems once I’m in China?
In the unlikely event that you encounter a problem while on your program, your first point of contact will be the CRCC Asia office in that city. Our multi-national team is made up of bilingual professionals who will be able to help you solve any issues that you might have. Program participants are always welcome to visit our offices in Beijing and Shanghai.
What are the other interns like? How many will there be?
It is likely that you will share your accommodation with at least one other intern whilst staying in China and almost all will stay in the same apartment building. The majority of interns are ambitious, high-calibre students, graduates and young professionals from across the world. One great thing about this program is the chance to meet similarly minded people who have come to China to learn more about the country, gain work experience and have fun.
Intern groups usually consist of around 40-50 people, with up to 150 interns during peak months.
Our interns are from the UK, US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries. You will get to know them very well over the course of your internship through living together and various social events.
Is there an opportunity to learn Chinese while in China?
Yes. CRCC Asia provides Chinese lessons up to twice a week for beginners. This will give you a great opportunity to learn new language skills while in China and will help you get around the city and communicate with locals.
If you can already speak Chinese and would like to brush up on your skills, CRCC Asia can help you organize your own lessons.
Are meals included in the program fee?
No, apart from the Welcome Banquet and during the Induction day, meals are not provided as part of the program. However, in Beijing and Shanghai there are many cheaper places to eat if you are on a budget.
What if I already have competency in Mandarin Chinese?
If you already have competency in Mandarin Chinese then we shall provide you with a CV Workshop during your Orientation Day on our programs, to ensure that your CV is formatted and structured correctly.
Study
Do I need to be able to speak Chinese in order to take part in this program?
No, the program is especially designed for beginners, or those with only a basic knowledge of Chinese.
How big will the Chinese classes be?
There will be no more that 10 students in the beginner classes. If you are not a beginner, you may apply for the 1-on-1 program. This will allow you to get the attention you need to progress quickly and be in a fun and dynamic environment.
How many hours of Chinese classes do I get?
Over one month, you will get 17 days of classes with 4 hours of class a day. Overall, you will get 68 hours of Chinese class.
Can I arrange 1-on-1 Chinese classes as well?
If you are interested in having more personal tuition, you may apply for the 1-on-1 program. The group program option is only open to beginners, other levels can apply to the 1-on-1 program.
If I am studying Chinese, will I be able to attend the CRCC Asia organised events?
Of course. All of our participants, whether learning Chinese or interning at companies, are welcome to attend all of the CRCC Asia events and activities.
Will I be expected to do homework?
When learning a language, reviewing your work on a regular basis and doing some independent study is the best way of improving. On this course, you will be expected to complete about 30 minutes of homework every evening. This is so that you will get the most out of your time studying Chinese with CRCC Asia.
Visas
What is the visa application process?
Your application to our program will automatically be processed through the correct CRCC Asia regional office, depending on your current location. After you have been accepted onto the program, you will receive full details of the visa application process.
Visa information for UK / EU applicants
If you are located in the UK or the EU, the CRCC Asia UK office will process your visa for you. After you apply to the program, you will receive more information about this process.
If your program application is processed through the UK office and you have a non-EU passport then we can usually process your visa if you are currently in the UK and you have a valid visa for the UK.
If your program application is processed through the UK office but you are located outside of the EU then you will have to apply for your visa yourself. This will involve visiting your nearest China Visa Application Service Center, or applying by post.
Visa information for Asia-Pacific applicants
CRCC Asia will fill out the visa application form for you and provide you with an invitation letter, which you will need to get your visa. We will send these documents to you via email in pdf format. All you need to do is check the details, print out the form and sign it at the bottom.
If you live near a China Visa Application Service Center, you should take these documents and apply for your visa in person. If you do not live near a China Visa Application Service Center, you can do a postal application, which should be sent to the Chinese embassy. We advise you to get exact details from your nearest Chinese embassy or visa centre. It normally takes 4 working days to process a visa and there are express options that you can use. If you have applied for your program before the recommended deadline, there should be no problem.
We recommend that you make an appointment at the visa center to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible. If you do not make an appointment, you can queue at the center, however this may take more time.
Visa information for applicants in Australia
If you live in SA, NT, or ACT you should apply to the Chinese Embassy in Canberra. If you live in WA you should apply to the Chinese Consulate in Perth. If you live in QLD you should apply to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Brisbane. If you live in VIC, NSW or TAS you should apply to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Sydney.
If it is not convenient to apply in person, the next best option is to apply by mail. To do this you need to place all the required documents in an (Express) Registered Post envelope addressed to the Embassy, Visa Service Centre, or your local Consulate. The required documents include: your passport, a completed Visa Application Form with photo attached, Invitation Letter, payment details (bank cheque etc), A self-addressed, pre-paid (Express) Registered Post envelope (so that the Visa Office can post your passport back to you).
Applying by post will generally take a longer time to process (approximately 8 working days), so you must be well prepared.
Visa information for applicants in New Zealand
You can lodge your application in person at the Chinese Embassy or Chinese Consulate in your region, or, you can apply by mail. To apply in person, simply compile the required documents and take them to the Visa Office of the nearest Embassy/Consulate.
Once you have lodged your forms, the Embassy/ Consulate will hand you a ‘Pick Up Form’. Follow their instructions regarding when you can collect your passport (the visa will be glued onto a page inside your passport). The day you go to collect your passport you will need to bring the ‘Pick Up Form’ and pay the processing fee (credit card or bank cheque only).
Visa information for applicants in Singapore
CRCC Asia will provide you with your visa application form and your invitation letter which you must print out in high quality. Sign the visa form, and attach your photo. You will see that we automatically put 90 days as the duration. Take them to the Chinese Visa Service Centre in Singapore – you will need to make an appointment before going (probably 24 hours in advance).
Visa information for applicants in the North American Region
If you are located in the US, Canada or Mexico the CRCC Asia US office will process your visa for you. After you apply to the program, you will receive more information about this process.
If your program application is processed through the US office and you have a non-US, CAN, MEX, passport then we can usually process your visa if you are currently in the US/Canada and you have a valid visa for the US/Canada.
If your program application is processed through the US office but you are located outside of North America then you will have to apply for your visa yourself. This will involve visiting your nearest China Visa Application Service Center, or applying by post.
Please note that certain non-US/Can/Mex passport holders currently in North America may need to appear in person to apply for their visa, the US office will be able to give further advice on this after you apply to the program.
Payment
Are there scholarships available to help fund my trip?
We understand that covering the cost of these programs can sometimes be difficult. To help you with this, we’ve done some research into possible sources of funding assistance.
We have created see a list of available resources that you could use to help fund your trip.
Are your programs free?
There is a fee for our programs. You can open the programs Price and Dates page on our website for more information. Visit our What’s Included page for more information about what would be included in the program price.