Job Discussion Forums

[Threequalseven]

I've been looking online for information on teaching in Saigon for a while now, but most of it is quite out of date. Even the "Here's what you need..." sticky on this page goes back eight years. From what I can tell, there are two groups of people: The first says, "Just come over and find a job. 99% of people work on tourist visas anyway." The second says, "You need a dozen different documents, and they all need to be signed, sealed, notarized, authenticated, and apostilled." Basically, the second group says you need everything that you'd need to work in Korea (where I teach now).

I don't have anything to hide. I have a TEFL, a BA, teaching experience, and no criminal record. I just want to know if it's redundant to get all that paperwork if most jobs don't even ask for it. It gets expensive and I'd like to avoid the stress if possible - especially since I'll be bouncing between four different mailing addresses in the next few months.

So what's the reality here? Do most people work on tourist visas? If not, will the "No Arrest Record-FBI" document suffice for the background check? Or is it necessary to get that thing apostilled? Also, how long is it valid? 6-months, 12-months, indefinitely? Same questions with the other documents. Do I really need to get my degree notarized and apostilled? What about my TEFL? Transcripts? OR, if I shouldn't even worry since everybody works on a tourist visa, is it easy to take care of all the formal stuff like setting up a bank account, etc?

Basically, I'm wondering what documents, if any, that you needed to work in Saigon. Thank you!

[kurtz]

You'll be lucky to get 20 responses; people don't come to this branch too often.

Don't worry about that sticky, what a tedious read that is.

No, you don't need documents and such to work in Vietnam, a tourist visa is possible. Seen the cost of a 3-month multiple entry these days? Hope you don't mind coughing up that cost every 3 months on a visa run. You might get a 6 month visa if you're lucky. Hope that reduces your stress and doesn't seem expensive to you.

Took me 10 seconds to find this which might help.

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/teaching-english/187975-teaching-english-vietnam.html

Make sure you've got cash for an escape.

Good luck.

[ExpatLuke]

Here's my take on it. Your main reason for not wanting to get your documents now is because it would be a bit of a headache to get it all sorted. While there are many teachers who teach here illegally on tourist visas, no work permit, no residents card, it can and does cause problems from time to time. Specifically if your school decides they don't want to pay on time, you have no options, no one to help you.

So you can deal with a headache now, or potentially deal with a much bigger headache later. Your choice, mate.

[deadlift]

I came here, and worked for a time, on a tourist visa. I know have a 2 year temporary resident card.

Some schools, the better ones, will help you get a work permit (and along with that, the temporary resident card which is basically a 2 year multiple entry visa). Some schools will expect you to get a work permit, and your ability to do so could be considered in the hiring process.

If you're planning on making a run at these places, you may as well have your docs in order when you come, to save headaches later.

If you're just coming to knock around a few mills for a while, I wouldn't worry as much about it, but you will be enjoying (and paying for) regular holidays in Cambodia.

[LettersAthruZ]

You know have a residence permit?

[LettersAthruZ]

In all seriousness, however, it depends on how long you intend to stay in Viet Nam (less then 18 months?? Why bother with that rubbish! Longer?? Obtain and submit the correct docs immediately) and, most importantly, the quality and reputation of the school/centre that you're looking to teach at.

[deadlift]

Are you asking whether I have a residence card or pointing out that I made a typo?

[Threequalseven]

Thanks for clearing this up. I was under the impression that only the top-notch employers were willing to deal with work visas. But deadlift's original comment makes a lot more sense. Also, the link kurtz posted was quite helpful. Don't know how I missed that one.