Job Discussion Forums

[zach_w]

Hello everyone and good day,
I am a Canadian citizen who just got a job at Libra in Bielsko-Biala, Poland. I am all ready to go with my passport info, TESOL certificate and International English Teacher License; however, it appears my employer is having difficulty with the Polish work permit office. Here is the problem:
According to the work permit office I must provide them with proof that I have taught abroad. I don't possess such as I have just completed the course and Libra would be my first job. Libra was kinda enough to hire me simply with my Foundation TESOL certificate.

What I am wondering: Has anyone ever encountered a similar problem with the Polish work permit office and what should I do to counter this problem? I have thought that possibly there is an issue regarding school credibilty (I took the ESL course through Global TESOL College in Canada), or possibly a security issue. Perhaps the Polish government is leery of foreign and non-EU passport holders wishing to teach English in their country.

To those of you who respond, please let me know the most effective way to get to Poland and begin teaching. Is it possible to follow the similar process Asian countries do and to work first on a tourist visa and apply for a work permit when I'm there? I hope you guys can help me out. Thanks.

[zippy2k]

I have never heard of that particular problem ever from any country. I first got a job in TEFL after qualifying and getting my CELTA in Spain. No questions were ever asked at the Ministerio about my previous experience of teaching English and I was issued with a social security card and number. When I was employed in Poland at first there were no questions asked at all but that was because I'm an EU passport holder. The school then did all the admin over my residence card(which I saw as rather unnecessary being an EU citizen, however...). Issues of work visa don't apply to me as in my case I am both an Irish and British citizen however I have worked with people from Canada, The US and New Zealand employed on a contract in Poland and I have never heard of their being denied access to the jobmarket from lack of previous teaching experience.

It seems an unnecessary beaureaucratic hurdle you are facing. I suggest contacting the Canadian embassy/consulate in Warsaw.

[zach_w]

Why don't I just get my employer to apply for a visa with the Polish Consulate here? I have some fellow coursemates who are going to Korea and their boss purchased their visas through the Korean Consulate in Canada. Does this make sense to you guys? Thanks.

[Alex Shulgin]

[gregoryfromcali]

Hi Zach,

This is actually a fairly common question on the Polish board I'm sure if you look around in the archives you'll be able to find even more advice.

Here's a recent thread on the same topic.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=30648

[zach_w]

Thank you guys for your input. I'll definitely let me employer know the steps I am going to take. Hopefully I can get the ball rolling by tomorrow. Take care everyone.

[zach_w]

I'm stuck... again. It seems that simply a Polish work visa will not suffice for a teaching position in Poland. I have been informed by my employer that with a work visa, I will have to apply to the same work permit office as she did, and that I may encounter the same problems. I am getting so frustrated here and have almost been considering just going to Poland and getting this dealt with in-person! My school is having a meeting on Monday to decide what to do about the problems we've been having. I wouldn't be surprised if they told me to f-off and get a job in China! I'm keeping my fingers crossed, however:

SOMEBODY HELP ME OUT AND GET ME A POLISH WORK PERMIT!!!

There, I just had to let it out. Thanks and hopefully all turns out well.

[bbb8009]

Zack, I would just aviod Libra all together. They are they screwiest company in the region. I certainly hope you found a different place to work. They are desparate all the time to get people to work for them, but one thing I can say about them is that that they tend to do things 'legally', though they don't honour your contract if they see that you want to be here... I can tell you that there are plenty of other places you can find work... and these places are much more worthwhile. There is a long line of people screwed by Libra... I hope you don't count as one. Please, beware.
Cheers.

[contact_wroclaw]

Zach - make your life easier. Launch what they call a "działaność gospodarczy"; in other words, your own small business. You will have much greater flexibility, will never have to worry about visas or work permits, and can use it as a basis to extend your stay in Poland almost indefinately. And the government has recently slashed the rates on social insurance as an incentive to small businesses. It's effectively cheaper than having a normal Polish work contract.

You will be responsible for paying your social insurance and taxes every month, but this is compensated for by the fact that you will earn more per hour of teaching, and will even have the ability to work with your own private clients thus cutting the school out of the picture and letting you earn more money. Plus, it's not a difficult process and will make any potential employer much more likely to hire you because you will essentially be a subcontracter (or "freelancer" if you like that word more). On top of that you have access to national healthcare (yeah, it's not great but better than no insurance at all).

Write if you want more details. I really think this is the best option for non-EU citizens who want to work in Poland right now, and it will make your employment situation much, much, much better.