Job Discussion Forums

[elliot_spencer]

Hey guys,

Am in talks with a school in Quito and I really fancy working there and for said school. One problem is , they offer only the Cultural Visa and not a Work Visa. Is this common? What's the best way of getting a work visa? Are teachers not entitled to social security?

Also, I read that after 5 years of a work visa a person can apply for permanent residency, is this the case with the cultural visa?

Thanks

[just_a_mirage]

It is very difficult to get a work visa these days. Most teachers who do work here, do so on Cultural Exchange visas. The problem with the work visa is that to get one you must have a c ontract. That is the rule under the Ministerio del Exterior which issues visas. But to get a contract, you must have a cedula, which you cannot get unless you have a resident visa. It�s a catch 22 situation, made by two different government agencies with little cooperation between the two. Thre are a few instances of universities being able to obtain them, but these are drying up, especially as many universities will not hire unless you have a masters degree.
No, you cannot get a resident visa after five years on a work or other visa. You must apply under another type of approved visa, such as investors (requiring $25k) in a CD or in property, a retirement visa, if you receive Social Security or other benefits of more than $800 monthly. There are several other types, including the business visa, which involves setting up a corporation and then actually operating it, with all of the tax requirements, and hiring guidelines called for under the law.
Visa laws have changed quite a bit in the last year. I am a visa facilitator, with my own business, and also for the university where I work, obtaining visas for students on exchange programs. Ten years ago, it was much easier to get visas for long term stays. Now, it is basically the cultural exchange visa for teachers. You may also apply for a professional visa which is a permanant visa but has several requirements, including a degree from an approved university.
Also, to get Social Security or IESS, you must have a cedula so that you can have a number to pay into the system.