Job Discussion Forums

Saneya · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject: visa advice

My boyfriend and I will soon be moving to Prague. I have a job already, he is planning to take a tefl corse and then teach English. He just told his boss he is leaving and his boss told him he could keep working for them, and email the work back (engineering work). He likes this idea because he'd make much more money than an ESL teacher. We just aren't sure how he would be there legally. Since he'd be working for a US employer, I imagine a czech work visa wouldn't be an option. We are wondering if a long stay visa would work, and how to get one. I thought maybe he could legally work for an English school and just teach a few hours a week so he can have a visa, but I doubt schools would hire teachers that want less than 10 hours a week.
Does anyone have any ideas or information for this situation?

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

..get a lawyer?

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

Saneya,
I seriously doubt any employer in the CR would go through the time and money to secure a work visa for an employee only working 10 hours a week. It's not practical or cost effective for many employers (if you are a North American non-EU passport holder).

Has your employer started your visa process yet? Without it, you will be arriving as a tourist and are not legal to work either. I'm sure you are aware already how difficult it can be for U.S. citizens to find legal employment in the CR thesedays. I only bring this up because there have been quite a few posts on forums like these recently of Americans hired from abroad, whose employer didn't go through the significant effort of making the teacher legal.

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

...maybe he can volunteer? should be some kind of volunteer program in CZ...maybe check www.idealist.org

Chris Westergaard · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 215 Location: Prague

Just get a zivno

Saneya · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

whats a zivno?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Zivnotensky list is a self-employment status document. I am not sure whether you can get one without a working visa of some sort already, though.

You'd need some local assistance (probably a lawyer) to advise and assist you on this.

I think the TEFL route is easier, if he can possibly juggle two jobs. Get a visa through a school, and continue working for the US company. Meanwhile, find out the legal options for working without a school sponsor.

ITTP · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 343 Location: Prague/Worldwide

Saneya · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:13 am Post subject:

We are planning on staying longer than a year. At least 2 years, but probably more unless we really don't like Prague. Do you think its worth it in that case?

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan