Job Discussion Forums

cjlommen · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 5

I want to teach English but I am wondering if any countries in Asia would grant my spouse a visa while I teach.

BOBBYSUE · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 100

Hey

in Brunei there are lots of wives-and a fair few husbands-whose partners teach. The wives have a dependant visa and I'm not sure what the husbands get..maybe someone else teaching in Brunei would be able to let you know. Good luck!

nomad22 · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 71 Location: Auckland, NZ

usually it's up to the individual school as to whether theyll supply a spousal visa, not the country per se.

gajackson1 · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210

BS got here before I did, but yes - I can say that Brunei does supply both spousal and dependent visas (in fact, Brunei also makes it easy to bring in domestic help, if you have a particular someone from say the Philippines you'd want to come work for you). Husbands & wives are granted spousal visas here.

I can also say it 'depends' in regard to South Korea (on how much your school supports your request, and the whims of which govt. official you talk to on that day. Japan also grants spousal visas.

Do be aware that a spousal visa, in virtually any country, generally forbids any legal work or study opportunities - and a violation could well result in both being canceled and/or a deportation. Will your spouse be happy basically doing nothing? That is an additional consideration.

cjlommen · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 5

Thank you for the responses. Does Brunei require teaching experience?

celtica · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137

Yes. Fully qualified teacher status and minumum 3 years teaching experience ....

cjlommen · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 5

Thank you

gajackson1 · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210

cj, if you will let us know a little more about your background/experience/situation, we may be able to point you to the 'right' threads on the board or resources to peruse/pursue . . .

Glen

cjlommen · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 5

I recieved my 4 year degree 12 years ago and almost went to Taiwan to try teaching at that time. Instead, I have been running a house painting business in the US. I am getting tired of chasing dollar bills, breathing paint fumes and the economic slowdown is pointing me in a new direction.

My wife is Thai/ Lao nationality, we met in Minneapolis 20 years ago. She could get her Thai citizenship if she were to return home after 30 years. She doesn't have a degree but really wants to work at an orphanage. She painted houses with me for 12 years but now, can't handle the fumes anymore and can't stand doing nothing. The move would be just as much for her to start working from the heart as me.

We moved to Hawaii three years ago and now money is getting tight and we are feeling aimless so we have to do something soon. I have been reading post about Laos and it looks attractive as a place to start, maybe TESOL certification in Thailand first.

Hope this wasn't too long, thank you

gajackson1 · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210

CJ, maybe this will be some sort of guidance/direction?

I would look into doing one of the TEFL International 120-hour courses in Thailand. Phuket, Ban Phe & Chang Mai are all options there.

My girlfriend and I did the course together in 2005, but opted not to take the provided housing; instead, we stayed at a small boutique hotel just a short scooter ride away from the school. The hotel - with breakfast included - was only $500 for the month, but we had received a discount off of our packages for not taking the TEFL housing. Renting a scooter was another $100 for 1 month.

Our hotel was nice, quiet, had a small swimming pool, and a small, legit, oh-so-nice massage studio. We did a study-vacation.

The quality of the course really can be what you make of it, and we had some really dedicated, exceptional people taking the course with us (and teaching us), so there was a great synergy.

There is certainly no lack of work in Thailand & southeast asia; if your wife does decide to take up her Thai citizenship, you all will find a number of other opportunities open up, as well - including orphanage/charity work.

It would be downshifting in many senses, but it could prove very rewarding in your case. I think that the 1-month course may give you a chance to see if it is something you all might really want to consider doing for the longer term.

I wish you all the best of luck!

Glen

ps - we almost chose Ban Phe, which is close to Koh Samet, an island I used to love to visit when I was younger - not sure how developed it is now. And Chang Mai is where I do my muy thai camps, and is gorgeous in its own right. I think you all could probably be happy at any of the 3.

gajackson1 · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210

oh - as for Laos - I have traveled pretty extensively in both Cambodia and Laos (and have good friends in both still); you will, from a simple search, find more info about people living & working in Laos currently. Not sure it there are TEFL courses (good ones) offered there yet or not? If so, it would likely be in Vientienne.

Regards!

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

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

Yes, Singapore will allow for a dependent visa for married couples.

Very common practice.

China also.