Expats: Indian yoga instructor in Chengdu deported after earning 180,000 RMB illegally on Business visa. Lesson: M-visa work leads to fines, deportation, re-entry ban.
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Foreign Employee Faces Deportation After Being Reported by Boss for Illegal Employment
A recent legal case in Chengdu serves as a stark warning for any expat being told that a Business (M) visa is "enough" to start working. What began as a successful partnership between an Indian yoga instructor and a local agency ended in a police report, a heavy fine, and a permanent exit from the country.
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The story began in 2024 when an agency founder, identified as "A," invited a talented instructor named Raj to join her training center. Despite knowing Raj lacked the documents for a proper Work (Z) visa, A convinced him to enter on a Business (M) visa. She reportedly assured him it was merely a "cultural exchange" and a common practice that wouldn't cause trouble as long as it wasn't reported.
The Rise to Fame
The partnership was initially a massive success. Raj's classes were constantly sold out, and the agency built a massive social media presence around him. Within months, his short videos on platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu garnered millions of views and 200,000 followers. However, as his market value grew, the relationship soured over money. Raj requested his per-class fee be raised from 600 RMB to 1,500 RMB, while the agency was only willing to offer 800 RMB.
The Falling Out
When the negotiations collapsed and Raj threatened to leave, the agency founder took a drastic step: she reported her own instructor to the Chengdu Exit-Entry Administration for illegal employment.
The police investigation confirmed that between June 2024 and April 2025, Raj had taught over 300 classes and earned 180,000 RMB while on a business visa. Under Chinese law, this constitutes illegal employment, regardless of whether the employer promised it was "fine."
The Consequences
The legal fallout was severe for everyone involved. For Raj, it resulted in a 10,000 RMB fine and a 10-day deadline to leave China, followed by a ban on re-entry. The agency was also fined 10,000 RMB, and all profits earned from Raj's classes were confiscated. Before his departure, Raj sent a final message to the founder: "Yoga teaches us balance, but neither of us achieved it."
For expats in China, the lesson is clear: an M-visa is strictly for business visits and meetings. Any recurring activity for which you receive a salary or fee—whether it's teaching, coaching, or consulting—requires a Z-visa and a valid Work Permit. As this case proves, an employer's verbal "guarantee" of safety offers no protection when a dispute arises or the authorities step in.
Source: Law-City 法治成都号
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