Job Discussion Forums

Scarlet_UK · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 19 Location: UK

I'm aware this is a very stupid question Embarassed

But the employers I'm in talks with want my degree certificate before they sort out my visa. Now I only finished my degree this year and haven't had the graduation ceremony yet; all I have is the transcript of my results. My university sent out a letter with them, saying that it may take up to 3 months to get the certificate. But obviously I can't wait that long - I need it within the next 3 weeks! I'm sure plenty of new graduates had this problem, what did you do?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject:

Your employer (or failing that, you yourself) should check if Immigration in the country you're applying for will accept the letter and transcript in the meantime. It might help if you supplied more details here, or better, posted on the approrpiate country or region forum. I am not sure about China (a place you seem to be interested in, judging from your previous posts), but I recall a few posts on the Japan forum recently that answered just such a question, and positively (i.e. that said it is possible to submit other documents in place of a pending certificate).

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

They might be able to accept the letter and then process the visa once you get your degree. BUt you should have asked that before signing the contract.

Scarlet_UK · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 19 Location: UK

^ I haven't signed a contract.
Thanks fluffy, it's for a job in S.Korea so I can't post on their forums as it's not accepting new registrations until September. Do you know how I would go about checking with immigration there?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject:

Search the Korean forums, and the net generally. Sometimes (often?) you can find the info you require, so you might not actually need to register and post any questions (duplicate ~? - people can get flamed if they do that). Or maybe some kind and more knowledgeable soul could send you a PM reasonably shortly and help fill you in on stuff that your searches haven't solved (or you could try and find such a person who's active not only on the Korean forums but the non-Korean ones too - I'm assuming you'd need again to be a member of the Korean to PM somebody who's only a member there - and PM them instead). I know that I for one don't mind responding to the politer requests by PM for info that I sometimes receive. Idea

Scarlet_UK · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 19 Location: UK

Thank you for the suggestions. I'd tried searching and got alot of info on certificates in general but not really anything specific to my situation. However I did eventually find one thread that suggests I am completely out of luck until nearly Christmas time basically. Sad

Graduates must have this problem a lot, so I find it very strange that I had not been warned previously! By recruiters, forum posters, tutors on my TESOL course.. no one hinted that going the year after graduation could be a bad choice. Bleh, it looks as though I will have to give up on teaching altogether and just get a regular job in the UK instead.
Cheers again anyway.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You're giving up on a whole teaching career just because at this precise moment in time, one country has rules which you can't get past?

Think about it.

Scarlet_UK · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 19 Location: UK

I should perhaps have specified that it's only teaching abroad I'd be giving up, I still plan to start a PGCE next year either way Razz

It's a financial thing unfortunately - I can't afford to wait around for more months before leaving; if I can't go within the next few weeks I need to find somewhere to live and a way to pay for it! I'd hoped to move earlier this summer, but my original China plans were scuppered due to visa problems (too young) and with more visa problems here too it's just intensely frustrating - I don't want to move to a country I'm not interested in at all instead, just for the sake of it. It seems silly because I am actually qualified; I wish they accepted things like transcripts of results with letters from the uni.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

http://www.onlinetefl.com/docs/Korea.pdf

7. I haven't finished my degree yet, can I still apply?
As long as you have completed your degree and have got your
certificate prior to departure, you are still eligible to apply. Please
include a letter from your University supervisor / academic advisor
with your application to confirm this.

Scarlet_UK · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 19 Location: UK

Thanks, but that is the opposite problem to mine - I have finished my degree, but I won't have my certificate prior to departure.
Incidentally - there is no way I'm committing fraud and spending money on a fake certificate. Smile

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Here in Asia including South Korea and China the government employment agencies that employ for public schools etc, tend to bend the rules when they want staff. For instance here in China they will want foreign teachers to start on the first of September in eight days time. The EPIK program in Korea employs in groups now as they give a two week unpaid but free induction course prior to starting you at a school. Just try with such agencies as now is when they employ.

Tell them about your circumstances and that you will need an advance on your first pay after a couple of weeks.

Also stick your details on the Dave's here and see what happens:

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/wanted/#PostMessage

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