Job Discussion Forums

jrrobbins · Joined: 31 May 2012 Posts: 1

I've been offered a job with Leeds Academy through the British recruiter "Teach to Travel". They want me to arrive on a tourist visa, then they will help obtain the appropriate documents after the start date in my contract. Is it possible to get a work permit while in Turkey? Or will I probably have to make a visa run to a consulate in Greece or Bulgaria in order to obtain the appropriate documents? Since I won't have a work permit, is the contract even enforceable?

Also, Teach to Travel requires a $250 deposit for processing fees associated with the work permit, to be returned to me one month after arriving in Turkey. I've never had to pay a deposit for an EFL job before. The contract I'm signing with Leeds doesn't mention this, but the Leeds HR manager who interviewed me mentioned it. Seems a little fishy, but I'm a skeptical person. Is this standard practice?

overworkedandunderpaid · Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 17 Location: somewhere on earth

No, you can't get a work permit while inside Turkey. You usually have to return to your country of citizenship, though it might be possible to obtain one in a country where you have legal residency. It sounds more like this company would be helping you to obtain only a residency permit, which itself does not authorize one to work legally.
I've never been asked for a deposit for permit fees. I don't believe it to be "standard practice". Then again, I've never utilized the services of a recruiter.

Eagle Eyes · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Istanbul

They are just one of the thousands of recruiters you will find in the EFL field offering low paying jobs in Turkey. My advice is bypass them as they are not your employer but only a recruiter...unless of course...you want to work in Turkey illegally on a tourist visa and without a work permit! Good luck in your search! Smile

lucia79 · Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 156

Don't work before you have your work permit stamped and jotted down in your residence permit booklet. If you work before you have clearance to do so the police can hand over to you a hefty fine and your employer will get one too. I know a girl who started working at a school although her work permit hadn't been issued yet. She got a fine, but she's all legal now. Make sure you make them do things in the appropriate way or else trouble will follow you. Watch your back and be careful.

cartago · Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 283 Location: Iraq

In my experience in three years in Turkey it's pretty common for people to work awhile before they get a work permit. I think it would be hard to find a company to hire you sight unseen and pay the money for a work permit unless you have impeccable qualifications and they're a really prestigious place and I think those are few and far between.

Don't pay money to a recruiter, just get a ticket to Turkey and start with Leeds if you want or someone else. I think they're pretty desperate for people now although I think you could honestly do better than them. If a place knows you and wants to get you a work permit then you can go back to the UK and get it later but I don't think many places will help you to get a work permit if they've had no relationship with you before.

lucia79 · Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 156

Shalana · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 150 Location: Istanbul

I have had three employers provide me with a work permit. The first one was my first year here and I got the job while in another country (not my home country) and this employer was a language school. I'm not sure why people keep saying you have to go to your home country to get a work permit. Maybe it depends on which country you're from? I'm from America.

I'm not sure if I would recommend Leeds. A friend of mine was hired for a summer school position by them and then they never got back to her about time and location for the first day.