Job Discussion Forums

FriendlyUser · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Ho Chi Minh

Hi,

for many year one could get away by teaching with a buiness or even tourist visa. Now,it seems that things are toughening up.

Does anyone know if an associate degree would be enough to get a work permit?

thanks

Chris

VN · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 26

For a work permit the Govt. requires a four year degree in ANYTHING!

However, there are schools here that don't require ANYTHING!

firecracker2180 · Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 12

VN · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 26

Never said one couldn't work, just can't obtain a work permit. Nonetheless, your statement is obvious! Laughing

firecracker2180 · Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 12

well, see here's the wierd part. I haven't seen anyone with one of these work permits. I pay tax, I have a multiple entry "business" visa, exactly the same as the peeps that do have degrees. What more do I need?

Just pay the money, get the stamp. Thats how this shizz works.

VN · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 26

Excellent point! Some schools pay bribes for a while. Soon the bribes increase and the school can't afford it anymore (such was my case).
Then there is a mad dash to scrounge all the requirments: at least 4year degree, health check, and criminal background check.
Trust me it is a pain, especially when the "well known" school you work for threatens your cushy job.

Keep in mind:

Non-compliance penalty A fine between 5.000.000 VND to 10.000.000 VND is applied to employers using foreign laborers who have no work permit.
Sanction of expelling foreign laborers is applied when foreigners working in Vietnam for over 3 months have no work permit or use the invalid work permits as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 133 of supplemented and amended Labor Code

The OP asked about a work permit. That's all. I never said s/he couldn't work.

mach114 · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 56

Schools that are interested in being legal will help you apply for a work permit and sponsor you for it. Schools that do not help get work permits for you after three months are cooking the books somehow. Which for the foreign teacher might not mean anything, as long as the police are happy then everyone else is happy. I have never heard of, or known of anyone getting kicked out of Vietnam for not having a work permit. I think they are after the schools and not the teachers. I would just keep in mind that if you have no work permit and you have been working at one school for more than three months, then that school is not fully complying with the law and neither are you. Despite the fact that being in this situation will probably have no consequences for you.