Job Discussion Forums

[ferryc2]

Thanks for the message!

[darcypog]

Hi Ryno,

Can you tell me where I can get a copy of the laws on the work permits in VN and English.

I have had my papers in with my school for over 3 months and they informed me last week that the Ministry of Labour wil not approve my application because I don't have a degree even though I have a TESOL.

The amusing part though is the person at the school said but its ok you can still work here (then why do I need a permit?)

Reason I want to get the permit is that the police came to my house a year ago (landlord didn't register us) and the first things they asked for were passport, visa and work permit. All I could show them was my contract from the school which they accepted.

I just don't want to be in that situation again and have to pay off some angry copper at 1am.

[mrfate]

Ok guys... to say only 80 people in HCMC have work permits is not true...

Presently all the larger schools HAVE to have work permits for their teachers to work. I think there is a 3 month grace period so that u can get these documents.

If you are not from Australia, I you MUST get the police clearance certificate before you leave your country. It is basically impossible to get it from Vietnam.

I know for a fact that at my school (80+ teachers) most people have got work permits now or have submitted them. So to say that my school is the only one to submit is just not true... I know of many other schools which have already organised their teacher's work permits.

Unfortunetly, you must have a degree and you must have a TEFL/CELTA certificate and you must have a police clearance certificate and a medical.

They have already started deporting and sacking teachers from school. I may be possible to keep working, but your job security at a school is not definate unless you get the permit. I guess it is possible to keep changing schools every 3 months, or try and stay undetected, but I guess it's up to you what is most important for you. (Also expect lower pay if u change schools alot)

Anyways, I hope that helps. That is the current situation, it may change but for now the Ministry of Education is bent on this new ruling.

Enjoy!

[mrfate]

...

[Snaff]

Thanks for the update, Countdown.

You've been quite a help:

[VC]

I noticed an advertisement for Expat Paper Works which helps Americans obtain a work permit.

"If you�re an American living in Vietnam, you probably know how irritating it is to get your working papers authenticated. Expat-Paper-Works offers a full service of getting your credential certificates processed fast. Through this service you�ll be able to get your papers notarized, state sealed and authenticated for a reasonable fee. Don�t worry about getting the papers done yourself. Just present us with your documents and we�ll do the full authentication process for you hassle free."

Call in Vietnam: 090 956 8824 or 090 836 2825

Call in USA: +1 888 484 7230
Fax in USA: +1 888 484 7230

email: [email protected]
http://expatpaperworks.blogspot.com/

[yakuzaphil]

Does anyone know the specifics of what the Vietnamese are asking for as far as the Police Backgoround Check for Americans? Is it just a local police check of the last place lived in the US, or do they want a full FBI background check? Replies by anyone who has had experience with this in regards to the work permit are greatly appreciated.

[ESL_Professional]

From what I gather, for a US citizen who wants to work in Vietnam, they will need a complete FBI background check. This is really not as bad as you may think. All you have to do is get printed at a local police station and then send in that fingerprint card with an $18 fee to the FBI in Virginia and in about a month, if you have no record, they will send back to you your fingerprint card with a stamp that says "No record" or something like that which means you have no criminal record with the FBI. This serves as the police clearance certificate that the Vietnamese government requires. It would be better to get the national check rather than just a local or state check as the national check is all encompassing (and in California, believe it or not, is actually cheaper!) The national check costs $18 plus $10 to be fingerprinted at a local police station, but the Califonia check costs $32 plus about $50 to be fingerprinted because the California Department of Justice only accepts Live Scan for fingerprinting which is much more expensive. You can get more information from the FBI by visiting www.fbi.gov and clicking on the "more services" link on the bottom left-hand side.

[ESL_Professional]

Here is a copy of a reply that was sent to me from the FBI:

Mr. xxxxxxxx:

You can use the live-scan prints if they can print them out on an actual card.

There are also fingerprint cards which may be downloaded and printed (on regular paper) from our website. Please visit our website, www. FBI.gov. Once you are on this website, click on �more services� on left side of the page, scroll down to �get information I need� and click on �request an FBI identification record or rap sheet�. This will provide all the information you need to request a copy of your record, provide the opportunity to download and print an FD-258 fingerprint card, and provide the procedure for challenging and/or making corrections to your record.

If you would prefer to have us mail you cards, we can do so as no charge to you - just let me know!

If you have any further questions, please feel free contact me.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Monetary Instruments Handling
FBI CJIS Division
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

[email protected] or [email protected]


You can just e-mail the FBI at "[email protected]" or "[email protected]" and they will answer any questions you may have about FBI background checks. You can also call them at (304) 625-5590 or (304) 625-3878.