Job Discussion Forums

[BELS]

No I dont beleive this subject is exhausted , I wish there was a lot more of this specific subject covered. There must be hundreds of EFL teachers interested in working in Moscow on a self empoyed basis, without the need of depending on an invitation from a language school. You stated that you applied for a license as a private entrepeneur, can this be done in Moscow, I would really appreciate your advise on this. I have been to a russian lady in Moscow, and we both wish to work as EFL teachers on a self employed basis. We have no problem in getting the students and the classes, the only problem is me, the foreigner working legally.

Would appreciate experience hearing from other teachers working privately, or doing freelance work. I see there are plenty on the site,, but how do you do it.Please let me know.

[Confederate]

I myself work on my own mostly, and work with other schools on a part time bases. There are several options open to you to work legally. One you can do as I do, work part time for a school that is willing to hire you officially since they will not have to provide lodging, airfare, insurance and other goodies that they have to provide full time teachers that they have to bring over and work under contract. You would be surprised at the number of schools willing to hire you officially just to have you teach maybe one class per day at the school or two orthree classes per week.

Getting a business visa is another option and one that most independant teachers use here in Moscow. You can get a multi entry business visa good for an year and you can set up and run your classes as you see fit. Serveral honest agencies both in the US and here in Russia will get you a business visa at a reasonable cost, just be careful that it is the complete deal, some just get you a visa, then leave it up to you to register with the police and what not. If you buy a business visa, make sure you get the complete package, visa support, return visas, and most important, the company has an office here in Moscow or the city you want to go to.

Third option, some teachers, only a few choose to make the so-called visa run every three months to get a new visa. I personally think that is the last option, but to each their own. But no matter which way you choose, you can do it legally, thought it may be one big pain in the butt to do it legally, that is the best way. Make contacts which can help you before coming, finding people who can help, or know people who can help are a fact of life here in Russia.

I think finding a school that will hire you offically in exchange for maybe two or three hours of teaching at the school per week is an option to consider. I bought my own business visa, paid $120 for a year long visa, not bad considering a three month personal invitation visa costs $85.00. As a matter of fact, I will be buying a new business visa in August.. But these are just suggestions, nothing more really.

GA Confederate

[bobs12]

Just a note - I don't think a business visa gives you the right to work, nor does working with a school legitimise you in any way unless you have a work permit. I believe there is such a thing as a 'work visa', which still doesn't give you the right to work unless you have an accompanying permit.

[Confederate]

http://www.russiajournal.com/news/cnews-article.shtml?nd=39688
http://www.sptimesrussia.com/archive/times/1054/top/t_15214.htm
http://www.outsourcing-russia.com/kb/docs/russia/r07083-01.html
http://earn-money.secret-niche.com/russia-jobs.html
http://www.amcham.ru/page.php?offset=0&pageid=320687726858509&newsid=951887859637894

Visa, work permits Q&A. Part II

By Jon Hellivig, The Russia Journal

I am currently in Russia on a business visa. I would like to find permanent employment in Russia, and I am using my time here to investigate the opportunities to live and work. I recently read an article regarding work visas and would appreciate it if you could clarify if I need a work visa to look for employment in Russia.

A work permit is only needed for a foreigner to carry out labor activity in Russia, and a work visa can be issued only after a work permit is received. When you are looking for a job, you don't need a work permit and work visa. It is actually quite normal if you have a business visa during this time.

Under which circumstances does one require a work permit, and when is a business visa sufficient?

Work and Residents' Permits

* Foreign residents who are interested in working in Russia must obtain a work permit.
* A work permit is issued, subject to an investigation to ensure that the case concerns a skilled worker with no criminal record.
* The employer in Russia must obtain the work permit before the employee arrives in Russia.
* Some employees are exempt from having to obtain a work permit. These include journalists, lecturers in institutes of higher learning and employees of foreign companies who are brought to Russia to install new equipment that has been supplied by foreign companies.

Foreign nationals coming to work to the Russian Federation are typically required to obtain a work permit. The above general rule is not applicable to the following categories of persons, provided, however, with respect to each category, certain further requirements are satisfied: foreigners permanently residing or permanently staying on the territory of the Russian Federation, refugees, diplomats, crewmembers, scientists, religious leaders, students, journalists, and lecturers.

[BELS]

Yes Lecturers are exempt, including EFL teachers. But it will need to be a properly liscensed school, A school that has the permission from the immigration authorities to invite foreign teachers to work. Amazing but true , there are only a few schools with this facility. So does this mean that most teachers in Russia are working illegally?. I think that all prospective teachers should check their invitations,of which they will receive in there own country, to see if the name and address on the invitation is of there prospective employer. Another way if you know you are legal, Are you paying taxes in Moscow?

In regards to other types of employment requiring work visas. Not much point investigating, the employer is the one who gets invitation, and you get issued the work permit. Its best to find jobs with companies who are already experienced in employing expats, who have past the hurdle of employing the first foreigner. Best to look in the employment sections of places such as expat.ru or the moscow times for example. Its too much trouble for a company to employ a foreigner for the first time.

Another way is to apply for temporary residential visa, which after three year can become residential visa. you will then have the right to work or register as self employed. Not easy, alot to do, and the application can be slow, up to six months.

My wife and I are now planning to establish a Russian company, I didnt want to go down that road, but if we want to be self employed teachers legally, it seems the only way, a lot of legal fees, using accountants even if we dont do well and profit, we still have complex financial reports to be written. But who knows, maybe we will be a major school in Moscow in a few years time.