Job Discussion Forums

[Danaa]

A director that has been in the industry for several years told me that starting January 1, 2010 work permits will be required and checked.

Does anyone have any additional information on this?

[BenE]

I strongly doubt that it's going to get that tough in such a short amount of time.

There was some recent talk about changing the current system but I didn't see any changes to the regulations coming about.

http://www.lookatvietnam.com/2009/05/labor-ministry-mulls-problem-of-work-permits-for-foreign-workers.html

Oh well I don't really care too much as I already have a work permit

[inky]

Work Permits are required NOW, but the system for checking them is lacking. If, as Ben notes, you meet the requirements (CELTA or equiv ESL Cert; Uni degree; clean criminal background; native English speaker) then what are you worried about? Your employer will take care of the paperwork FOR you. It's easy. There's nothing wrong with the system, look at it as an attempt to protect children, in addition to whatever else it's meant to do.

You have to keep in mind that the article that Ben links to is mainly referring to UNskilled as well as skilled workers, UNskilled workers who are taking jobs away from Vietnamese (Cambodians for example). Native English-speaking teachers do not fit into this category, they have a skill that locals don't have; however, for example, Filipino English teachers ARE competing with Vietnamese English teachers, and perhaps that list would include (rightly or wrongly) Viet Kieu as well. Legitimate English teachers are an almost non-issue in these matters because they are qualified, meet the requirements, and pay their taxes.

[Texas_blu]

Foreign workers without permits could be expelled

Here's the link for the full article:

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/?catid=3&newsid=51112

Sure, this is primarily about manual labor jobs but it's just a matter of time before that filters down to ALL jobs. This decree doesn't discriminate between one type or another so it's enforceable at all levels and the time is possibly in a week or two.

[inky]

I wonder what the guy in the photo has to do to get a Work Permit.

[Green Acres]

He has one. It's the 131 oil executives in Vung Tau that were rounded up in the last few weeks that don't seem to have their permits.

[MisterLinguistix]

hi all,

I am in the process of strongly considering returning to Saigon (from Cambodia) in around a month or two.

However, this new news is making me nervous.

As I have mentioned before in another post, I had trouble getting the work permit last time I was in Vietnam (and consequently left). I have a 120-hour online TESOL certification, an A.A. degree - but my B.A. degree is on hold with my university (as my student loans are in default). I also have a squeeky clean criminal record in the U.S. (although last time I was in Vietnam it was next to impossible to get a copy of the background check without returning to the U.S.). Upon return I did manage to get a STATE OF CALIFORNIA background check - but I don't think this will cut it.

Should I be cautious about returning?

Would it be better to wait a few months to see what the fallout will be from this new legislation?

Thanx in advance

[Green Acres]

I hear that special forces are mounted on the border checking papers and credentials. I would be very worried, especially with that squeaky clean record of yours. No one crosses that border with a squeaky clean record!! Once tipped off, you will be shackled and turned over to the appropriate authorities. Your fraudulent documents will be put on display in the remnants museum and if you don't do any jail time, then you will have to pay the costs of deportation and a huge fine. I would be very, very, very careful if I were you.

[motown]

[quote="inky"]Work Permits are required NOW, but the system for checking them is lacking. If, as Ben notes, you meet the requirements (CELTA or equiv ESL Cert; Uni degree; clean criminal background; native English speaker) then what are you worried about? Your employer will take care of the paperwork FOR you. It's easy. There's nothing wrong with the system, look at it as an attempt to protect children, in addition to whatever else it's meant to do.
------------------------------------
"CELTA or equiv ESL Cert."
Other than the CELTA what other ESL Certs are accepted?
Tefl International?
Bridge Linguatec?
American Tesol Institute?
SIT?
All these offer onsite 120 hour courses with 6 hours teaching. The first two even have courses offered in Vietnam. Is there an official list somewhere on a VN site? If not, then it's strictly on a school by school basis.

[inky]

It's not on a school-by-school basis since the government issues the Work Permits. A CELTA-equivalent course would have an observed teaching component.

[MisterLinguistix]

[mach114]

Your background check from California should work fine. However, did you get it notarized before you left? You may be able to do an affidavit at the US consulate or embassy with it. Then, it should work. Your degree on the other hand maybe a problem. If you have an original copy of the degree and you have it notarized or you can do another affidavit; same goes with your English teaching certificate. You have to have those three things to get your permit. Otherwise, you can work at schools that may be substandard or schools that don't mind taking care of authorities for you. I know many people who are working without a work permit some at decent schools.

[MisterLinguistix]

Thanks Mach,

To answer your specific questions :

1. No, the background check was not notarized. I should have thought of that. Shame on me.

2. The A.A. degree is a scanned copy of an original which is laying in a storage facility in Los Angeles. I did not want to run around the world with the original.

3. The TESOL certificate is also a copy (for the same reason as above). However, I may likely be able to get another original issued by the school.

I think it may be best to take the second route and then move onto China if things go terribly wrong.

[Green Acres]

That was my attempt, Cunning, and with great flare! The message is: don't worry about it. They have color print copiers in Vietnam, too.

Oh, and you can notarize at the embassy...both the scanned copy and the criminal check (or in your case, the lack there of )