Job Discussion Forums

Riding One · Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 63

The visa renewing/extending business in Hanoi have just told me that as of yesterday, no visa extension are being given.

How long this will last is anyone's guess.

We really are a necessary evil.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

The choice is simple. Stay, whine and be a victim. Or, leave.

If people start refusing to"jump through hoops" and leave en masse, the authorities might take notice. Until then, expect more of the same.

TRH · Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Posts: 340 Location: Hawaii

Although I have a work permit, I opted to forgo a residency card as I have a 5 year visa "exemption." However, the last time my wife went downtown for my eighth quarterly extension, the officer asked her if I was working or still just visiting after two years. My wife wisely gave the "correct" answer but perhaps the question is also reflective of a general tightening. A "fixer" once told me that visa exemption stamps are limited to four quarters. I dismissed his statement as simply an attempt to drum up business, but perhaps I may regret not having gotten the residency card especially since it has dropped from two years to one.

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

So far my process for getting a new work permit has gone like this:

DoL: You need a criminal background check and medical check.
Me: Here's a criminal check from Vietnam and a medical check.
DoL: You need 5 years experience and a relevant degree.
Me: Here's my degree and I've taught ESL for 6 years.
DoL: Your degree doesn't have your major clearly shown on it, we need a copy of your transcripts.
Me: Here's my transcripts.
DoL: We need letters of confirmation from your previous employers for the past few years.
Me: Here's the letters of confirmation.
DoL: You need a criminal check from America to show the time you've lived there even though it was over 3 years ago. If you have an old check from America, that will suffice.
Me: My employer from 3 years ago still had my check in their files. Here it is.
DoL: This needs to be authenticated and notarized.
Me: Please just kill me now.

The process is still on-going. The guy at the Department of Labor asked the Vietnamese women doing the go-between "Why are you trying so hard to keep these foreigners in Vietnam? They're all crazy. Why don't you just let them leave?"

ieltsteacher102 · Joined: 24 Jun 2014 Posts: 37

I guess peoPle have diffrresnt experiences my school just got me a two year residence permit 208 usd took about 2 weeks no hassles oh well i cant complain life is good

I'm With Stupid · Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 432

I've heard rumours that they've changed the rules back again so that this 5 year thing no longer applies.

I'm With Stupid · Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 432

Story

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 1:34 am Post subject:

Okie from Muskogee · Joined: 31 Jan 2014 Posts: 55

Hee-haaw! Flood of more americans are comin'. I'm bringin' 5 of my friends and they're brinin' 5 of their friends,......

Greg444201 · Joined: 17 May 2014 Posts: 11

I came to Vietnam in January of this year and I agree with some of the other posts here about the nit-picking of every little tiny detail...After 6 months I finally received my Work Permit that is good for 2 years and any province of Vietnam...Too bad I told my employer a month before I got it finalized I'm taking a couple months break to get away lol...but the good thing is I'll have it for at least 2 years so if I decide to come back and teach..I don't have to go through the BS. Also just a side note I was able to get my WP not having a Uni degree and with an online TEFL/TESOL cert I got a couple years ago Very Happy