Job Discussion Forums

[TeacherFromNZ]

Hi

I am a fully registered primary teacher from New Zealand. I am interested in teaching English in Italy but keep hitting brick walls. I am looking at both public Italian schools and private International schools but keep finding the same problem regarding visas. Since I am on a NZ passport, it seems it will be very difficult to get a permit and visa to live and work in Italy.

I have lived in Italy in the past on a student exchange and speak fluent Italian but this doesn't seem to help my cause.

Are there any other people in my situation? How have you gone about getting a work visa and work permit to stay in Italy?

NB It is not the same as having a EU passport that would have me in in the blink of an eye, nor can I claim to have family in Italy. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[spiral78]

I have a friend in a similar sitution (except she's from the US). Previous study in Italy, fluent Italian (MA Italian and works as a translator for the drugs industry). She tried for four years to somehow find a way to get legal papers. Three of those four years she spent in Italy, working under the table, making contacts, constantly trying to find a company to support her visa application.

There was just no way to do it. Far too much competition from well-qualified UK teachers.

She worked legally very briefly for a US company's branch in Rome, but they put Italian staff first, and when the economic crisis started, my friend was the first on the street - again.

All this happened before January 2009, when the laws changed to allow non-EU citizens only 90 days in the Schengen zone, then 90 days OUT - my friend kept herself marginally legal with border runs, which are no longer possible.

I know this sounds really bleak - but honestly, the reality is pretty bleak.

You are obviously qualified to work legally at the international schools - but, the problem will be that openings are rare and usually snapped up by people already in Italy with local contacts and reputation.

You may get lucky - and I hope you will! But it's important to have a realistic idea of the liklihood of things working out when you're trying to make plans. Do let us know if something opens up for you - it would be nice to hear a success story! They're unfortunately pretty rare...

[TeacherFromNZ]

Not really what I wanted to hear but thanks anyway. It kind of annoys me as I've lived there before and have lots of friends there. I'm not a dreamer who wants to go to Italy but a realist who has lived there and knows the lifestyle and language.

I've approached some International Schools and the dilemma is this. They require me to have a visa before they can give me a job. To get the visa, I need a permit that I can only get by having a job. It's like a vicious cycle that I can't get into!

I'm still interested to know if there are any other ways around this, while still working legally. Alternatively I'm going to Italy in a few weeks for a holiday and if my last trips are anything to go by, there will be marriage proposals by hunky Italian men. Maybe this time I will have to take them up on it!!!

[Glenlivet]

If it's any consolation the reverse is also true. We tried without success to get work in New Zealand but came up against visa problems. We got positive responses from a few schools but the general message was "when you get here with your visa, come and see us". We would need to be sposored by a school to get visas. Catch 22.

[spiral78]

It kind of annoys me as I've lived there before and have lots of friends there. I'm not a dreamer who wants to go to Italy but a realist who has lived there and knows the lifestyle and language.

I understand the frustration. My friend was in the same boat.
Get married!

[Glenlivet]

[SueH]