Job Discussion Forums

[GoldnSilver]

Does a TEFL certificate need authentication for the visa process?
If so, does it fall under the category diploma from commercial institutes or university degree?
http://www.saudiembassy.net/services/document_regulations.aspx

Any help would be appreciated.

[AbeCross]

The key education doc for Americans is the college degree. Getting your college degree notarized should be enough. Good luck.

[GoldnSilver]

Thanks Abecross....

I would still like to know if anyone has been asked to authenticate a TEFL or Trinity or even CELTA to be able to have an employment visa??

[Richard62]

You need to demonstrate that you have a qualification relevant to your profession when you apply for a Saudi visa. My understanding is that if your BA or MA is not in a related field, you may need to get your CELTA attested. To get your CELTA attested, first you need to contact Cambridge, and ask for a certifying statement. This needs to be sent directly to the Saudi Cultural Mission. You can ask for a certifying statement from the link below:

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/results/lost-certificates.html

[readytotravel]

[GoldnSilver]

I have a TEFL certificate not a CELTA, what do I do since my BA isn't related. Who do I send the certificate to, and how do I notarize it if the SACM requires the certificate to be notarized. This all creates a huge expense problem for me since I am currently not back home (US), where the certificate is from.

[nomad soul]

[GoldnSilver]

I tried to contact the SACM twice by phone,but I keep getting automated menus to press 1, 2, .... . All messages, no actual person to talk to. If you know of a number that could get me an actual person on the phone, I'd really appreciate it. These phone calls are costing me a bundle!!

[shebab]

[cmp45]

If your degree is unrelated to ESL Education, then yes you should have a TEFL. cert. and have it authenticated. I believe that your cert. would need to be at least a one year program from an accredited university to be valid. I doubt they will recognize any of these one month certificates etc. You should verify with the employer to be sure.

[GoldnSilver]

Yes, my certificate is not a one month thing and it is more than 120 hours.

Does it fall under diplomas from commercial institutes that need authenticating in my State Department then sent to the Saudi Consulate?Or does it fall under university degrees that are sent to the SACM?

Anyone has any experience in authenticating a TEFL????

Please advise, I need to start on this quickly as time is running out.
Tik Tok.......

[readytotravel]

According to all the job listings for Saudi universities that I have responded to, if you don't have a related BA, they want a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours.

I couldn't find any indication from the info I received from the SACM that this document needs to be authenticated.

Please keep us updated, as I am in the same situation.

[GoldnSilver]

As soon as I know anything for sure I will post it, and you please do the same.
Thanks