Job Discussion Forums

[windowlicker]

I apologize if this question has been asked before...I did a search and didn't come up with anything specifically addressing this question. I realize this may vary by school and country, but in general if you're on a tourist visa will the school pay you in cash or is it possible to get direct deposit into a bank account? Also, for whatever country you are currently in, is it possible to open a bank account with a tourist visa?

The longer story behind my situation is this: I was offered a position at a school in Venezuela and they told me to apply for a student visa. I was just denied the student visa, apparently because they've caught on that people affiliated with this school applying for student visas are working, not studying. At this point, I feel completely lost...I put my entire life on hold to take this position in Venezuela, quit my job, etc. and I'm supposed to leave in a week and my plane ticket is nonrefundable (and cost $1000). When I've talked to the school before, I've asked if it was okay to come with a tourist visa, and they said definitely not...I need a student visa (presumably for no other reason than that I can stay longer, but we didn't go into specifics). So I'd like to even avoid telling the school that I'm not on a student visa if possible. The only thing I know is that the school pays by direct deposit and helps you open up a bank account in Venezuela where you can recieve the deposit...my only worry is that with only a tourist visa, opening an account will not be possible. Banking laws obviously differ by country, but if you have any experience with this, please share!!

[john_n_carolina]

....send me a postcard no, really - don't know what you should do except just go and see what happens. you can probably get a 3 month extension once you're down there...that will give you 6 months to check out the scene and make contacts and how to get a "Multicultural" visa.

have you checked out Naturegirl's list of VZ schools and tried to apply through them? I realize it's too late now, but maybe next time?

[john_n_carolina]

here's 229 institutes, that should keep you busy the first week

http://db.paginasamarillascantv.com.ve/Empresas/KeyResult.jsp

i think you have to put in Idiomas or something in the search box. for example: i put "Idiomas", and then choose "Caracas"

[Justin Trullinger]

The schools that DO pay you on a tourist visa usually do it by handing you an envelope full of cash.

Or sometimes a check. (You can cash it without an account.)

But if the school hasn't said they'll hire you on a tourist visa, they may not be willing to. If you want to work for them, you'll need to talk to them.

But, if the ticket's non-refundable...go anyway. There are plenty of schools.

Best,
justin

[kingkristopher]

I second the idea that you should still go whether you can work out this particular situation or not. That being said, you can't open a bank account in Vzla on a tourist visa. In fact, I had problems opening one even on a student visa and was only able to do so because the school sponsored me. As a side note, it seems a little strange that the school won't take you on a tourist visa. Since they were willing to break the law to have you on a student visa what's the big deal?

P.S. Is the school inlingua by any chance?

[Evanzinho]

When I taught in Brasil on a tourist visa, one school I worked for paid me with wads of cash, and another school paid me with a personal check that I had to cash at the bank that the account was located at. I could not open up a bank account to do direct deposit. I have a feeling it is the same in Venezuela.

�Buena Suerte!

[naturegirl321]

Usually cash and expect about 5 to 10 an hour.

Here in Peru, you can open an account with a passport.

Funny you were rejected for a student visa, I got one easily, maybe that's because it was in 2002 and there were mass evacuations of missionaries and embassies, guess they wanted all the people they could get.

Just show up, you'll have your pick of schools when you do�

[windowlicker]

[john_n_carolina]

....the "not taking you on a tourist visa" part, probably has to do with new policies put in place in the last few years. i'm sure they're watching anyone who comes into the country now. they even accuse the US of "manipulating" the last election that Chavez lost.

[john_n_carolina]

...sorry, not election. it was more of a referendum to change the entire constitution, farming laws, land laws, unlimited terms for President, etc.

[kingkristopher]

Hmmm, CVA is a legit school. Maybe they do have the contacts that they say they do. I know everyone does the student visa thing in vzla because unless you are Cuban, it's impossible for a foreigner to get a work visa there. If they do work out the student visa for you, don't sweat the details, I'm sure it'll be on the up and up (as much as it can be anyway). But like johninmaine said, the government may have put the squeeze on tourists working illegally, I know they did here in Panama...

[kingkristopher]

BTW, you will have a great time if you do sort things out with CVA. I never worked there, but others spoke highly of it. It's a great way to get to know venezuelans (there are lots of social opportunities). Pays next to nothing though...

[john_n_carolina]

...good input, KK - thanks for the reply.

like you said, they probably are watching anyone with blue eyes these days. i also believe they kicked out every missionary in the country and replaced them with some Iranian Sheikhs...

[windowlicker]

yeah...they definitely seem legit, sorry if what i posted made me sound skeptical of that. and the program they having going on for americans to come teach there seems like its going to be really sweet. as far as the pay issue goes, i'm not sure what it was before but someone told me they significantly increased what they pay the "interns" coming on student visas...while i don't have any first hand experience with what the cost of living in caracas is, it seems like what they're paying should cover it. i'm just hoping i get to do this!

[MO39]