Job Discussion Forums

ratoncito · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Hi Folks,

I am from the UK with a recently gained CELTA cert and I'm planning to come to Quito to try and get my first teaching job. I have a number of (probably silly) questions :-)

Can you tell me if I've got this bit about visas right? Here is what I think I've worked out from my reading here and in other places:

The best way to get a job is face to face in the country in question (in this case Ecuador). So you have to enter the country on a tourist visa. If and when you find a job, you start working, presumably still with a tourist visa. Now depending on the job and the institution you work for, you may able to get a more permanent visa (work, cultural exchange, etc). It is usually not possible to convert from a tourist visa to one of these, so you have to leave the country and come back.

Where is the new visa issued? Would I have to come back to the UK or is it possible to arrange this in Lima or Bogot�?

I get the impression from some folk that working with a tourist visa is par for the course - i.e. most people do it - with trips out to get extensions.

I get the impression from other folk that working with a tourist visa is a complete no-no and is what gives English teachers a bad reputation.

And a quick mention of the "Ecuador Investors Visa" as recommended in the sticky "If your're thinking of teaching in Ecuador...." (from Feb 2003). After digging around using google I found this (Mar 2006) <http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/78/Ecuador.html>
Forget the much advertised $1,400 investors visa. It is now very much a thing of the past and to qualify for an investor�s visa you must now be prepared to put up $25,000.

So, have I understood the visa situation correctly? Any comments would be welcome. Sorry if this has been a bit long-winded.

ratoncito

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

Some places, probably schools, rather than institutes will get you visas. I know that the place where Justin Trullinger works will get you a visa, try PMing him. And I think that it's a cultural exchange visa.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 1:04 am Post subject:

Hi there,
You're right, Naturegirl- it's a cultural exchange visa. A lot of institutes use this, if they meet the requirements to be legally recognised as official cultural exchange/education organisations.

To comment on other options, OP. Working on a tourist visa is illegal, and common. There have been some recent changes in tax law, though, that will make it harder for this to happen. (It will still happen, of course- but I'm thinking that it's a habit that the more legit institutes will have to drop. We already have.)

In any case- a tourist visa is for a maximum of six months. You can extend it up to six months (180 days) without leaving the country. Border runs don't work, though- you CANNOT extend a tourist visa by crossing the border and returning. (I have known people who got stuck in Peru by trying this. I repeat, you cannot get more than 180 days out of any 360, no matter what border you cross.)

THose who got the investors visa before 05 were either smart, or lucky...too late now. (I posted something to this effect a couple of years ago...)

Slds,
justin

ratoncito · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks for the responses.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject:

ratoncito · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject:

fresas · Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 16 Location: Cuenca, Ecuador

I'm heading to Ecuador in September, hoping to find a job. My friend from Guayaquil told me, "Si vas a venir a trabajar a Guayaquil, deben hacer legalizar en donde corresponde y sellar tus titulos academicos de estudios en el consulado de Ecuador alla en Canada." Maybe my Spanish is off, but the way I translated this is that I should have my acadmic records/titles registered at the consulate here in Canada before I go (please correct me if I'm wrong).
Have you guys heard of this before? Is this necessary to do if I want to obtain a work visa after arriving in Ecuador?
Thanks!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:

Gray area. If you're near the consul, it can't hurt. Often, it isn't necessary, though...

Depends on the kind of visa the organisation you work for is able to sponsor for you.

Best,
Justin

PS- I never had to do this, but the laws change all the time.

fresas · Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 16 Location: Cuenca, Ecuador

[quote="ratoncito"]

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

Usually, just something they're supposed to say. I've had 5 visas in Ecuador up to the current moment (another in process) and only had to do one in my home country. Laws can change at any point, though, and so can luck...

Best,
Justin

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

if i remember, i think it's impossible to convert a EC Tourist visa into something different, without going home.

you'd best come on some kind of 1 year visa (Cultural Exchange 12VII?)
and then you never have to go home. but, for that you need a convenio and the foundation / organization in EC has to fill this out.

but, you also can extend your tourist visa by 3 months, equalling 6 months total by going across the border in Ipiales...?