Job Discussion Forums

fpshangzhou · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 280

Hello,

My girlfriend and I are currently working & living in China, where we're both doing the tefl gig. She is from the Philippines & I'm from the States. Is it possible that when we get married and she gets a US passport, there will be more job opportunities? Technically she isn't a native English speaker, but since many Asian countries concentrate mostly on which passport you hold, can she throw herself into the deep end and claim native speaker with the passport change?
My main reason for inquiring is because if she can make more money, I can plan to do this tefling for awhile longer as opposed to going back and slaving away at a 8-5 job. Looking forward to any and all feedback.

Cheers,

Aaron

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

fpshangzhou · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 280

Hi Nomad,

Throughout Asia....China (current location), Thailand, other Southeast Asian countries.
The thing is we just had a baby and would like to raise her abroad. In order to do so, we both need to be able to work. Since she carries a Philippine passport, most employers don't give her a chance or if they do, she receives a lower salary. Will changing country passports make a difference when applying for a job or salary offerings?

Cheers,

Aaron

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

It probably will make a positive difference to potential employers in the SEA region. However, it's not an instant process to get a US passport for the spouse of a US citizen. You might want to check out what's required (I looked into this a few years back and decided not to bother).

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

It's hard to say. Since you're asking about Asia, I suggest you post on the General Asia forum to get more exposure to your questions. Perhaps one or more of the posters on the Asia forums have dealt with a similar situation.

jtea · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 69

You'll have to look at the requirements of the job. I haven't looked at jobs in most countries in Asia but the ones that I have looked at mostly require that you live in a native speaking country for x amount of years and went to school there for 12. I know some jobs don't have as strict requirements as long as you speak English but since a lot of companies want their students to pick up native accents, they want people who are native speakers.

As for whether or not she'll get more job opportunities with a US passport, it's highly possible but I can't say how much more she'll get. Look around in the countries you two are interested in and see what the job requirements are.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Future spouse & TEFLing

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

And don't forget that the process of getting TO the States is long, expensive and convoluted.
It could take 2-3 years before she gets landed and gets her status adjusted (gets her green card) before the "citizenship" process clock even starts.

(It took my sister-in-law >10 years and many thousands of dollars for that journey - Filipina g/f to US citizen).

Look up " fil am marriages " (Facebook is a good start) for other Fil/Am marriages and their road to the States, green cards and US passports.

And to answer your original question - maybe.

- No for Korea: she doesn't have the requisite degree from one of the approved "7" countries.

- No (but) for Thailand: same issue - so even with a US passport she doesn't have a "western" degree. She might get more based on the passport but won't be a "native speaker". (an IELTS band 8.5 might work better than a US passport).

- No, but for the rest of the ASEAN clock (same reasons).

If her degree isn't in "education" then there are other hurdles to pass after 2015 AEC.

- No for north American or other "native speaking countries". She will always be recognized as an immigrant because of her voice.

IF she gains her US passport and IF she also gains a legitimate US degree then the answer changes to Yes for virtually all of Asia but that road may very well not be worth it in terms of time and money.

.

MuscatGary · Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 11:56 am Post subject:

As far as I'm aware even when she does get a US passport it will still state the place of birth so a cursory glance will confirm that she's not a naive speaker. I've come across this problem before with Indians who have obtained Canadian passports.

However I also know of Filipinas working in the tertiary sector in Oman with Filipino passports and nationality. It's their qualifications that got them the job (and the fact that many Filipinas have very good English indeed).

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I know for where I am there are ways around things

Your passport says that you were born abroad. Meh. Might not matter. Many people immigrate when they're young

You didn't spend X number of years in an English speaking country for school. Meh again. There are international schools abroad.

Your degree is from a foreign country. Loopholes. There are American unis abroad for example. Or foreign unis that conduct degrees in English

Obviously reqs differ country to country but I personally know people who have gained work visas due to these issues.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world