Job Discussion Forums

[CP13]

Guess I should have been more specific, sorry! I want to teach English in Europe because I have a lot of friends there. As an American, I know Western Europe is off limits for the most part, so I was looking at the Czech Republic or possibly Poland. I was also checking out Asia, but it seems they are very strict when it comes to background checks, is this true? I looked at the requirements for a work visa in the Czech Republic and I didn't see anything about a criminal record as being an issue. I guess I am more worried about potential employers not hiring me. Do schools in Eastern Europe look at background checks and weigh them heavily when considering candidates? When looking at visa requirements for the Czech Republic did I miss anything?

Thanks for the help; the info on this website is wonderful...

[naturegirl321]

Depends. if the country where you want to work requires a background check, then it could mean that you don't get the job. SOme countries require it. Others don't.

[CP13]

Guess I should have been more specific, sorry! I want to teach English in Europe because I have a lot of friends there. As an American, I know Western Europe is off limits for the most part, so I was looking at the Czech Republic or possibly Poland. I was also checking out Asia, but it seems they are very strict when it comes to background checks, is this true? I looked at the requirements for a work visa in the Czech Republic and I didn't see anything about a criminal record as being an issue. I guess I am more worried about potential employers not hiring me. Do schools in Eastern Europe look at background checks and weigh them heavily when considering candidates? When looking at visa requirements for the Czech Republic did I miss anything?

Thanks for the help; the info on this website is wonderful...

[spiral78]

so I was looking at the Czech Republic or possibly Poland. I was also checking out Asia, but it seems they are very strict when it comes to background checks, is this true? I looked at the requirements for a work visa in the Czech Republic and I didn't see anything about a criminal record as being an issue. I guess I am more worried about potential employers not hiring me. Do schools in Eastern Europe look at background checks and weigh them heavily when considering candidates? When looking at visa requirements for the Czech Republic did I miss anything?

The Czech Rep requires a document from you last home state's central police department stating that you have commited no crimes. Contact this office and ask them what would appear on your letter. It's SOP for them to issue these - I know people from many states who have had no trouble getting one.

A criminal record IS an issue in the CR - but a DWI may not really 'count.' It's not employers who will care, but the Foreign Police may well do so.

[khmerhit]

Criminal record??

Criminy!!!



No Problem!!. Come to





































C A M B O D I A



try it and see

[johnslat]

Dear khmerhit,
Having a criminal record is actually a requirement for Cambodia, isn't it?
Regards,
John

[CP13]

Alright, well it sounds like I may have some issues when it comes to getting a visa in the Czech Republic, is there anywhere in Europe where having some minor crimes on my record won't hurt me? I can see I accidentally replaced my first post on this page, but to go over it again, three years ago I received a ticket for OWI and disorderly conduct/resisting an officer. Aside from that my experience and qualifications are very good. Aside from Cambodia does anyone else have any suggestions on where I would be able to get a job and obtain a visa? I did check with my local police department and they said these offenses would show up on a document from them, but they are not criminal offenses (ie Felony/Misdemeanor) which simply means I had to pay a fine and it was done with. I have tore through the internet looking for answers, but all I can find is that I need to show up with a copy of my police records for the Czech Police, but nothing saying they wouldn't allow me to gain a visa in my situation. Can anyone answer this for sure? Thanks.

[spiral78]

I don't know if the Czech Foreign Police would deny you a visa because of these small crimes. Quite honestly, there is probably no black-and-white answer to this. The regulations in this part of the world can be interpreted somewhat flexibly depending who you're dealing with when, exactly. I doubt anyone can answer you for sure until you're there (frustrating, I realise, but I'm pretty sure this is the reality of the situation).

It is probably worth a try, but you would need to be aware that it is possible the F.P. might turn you away.

I don't know of any European country with looser regulations on these matters. It would need to be somewhere with a real lack of teachers - it doesn't really exist in this region, where teachers are relatively thick on the ground.

[desultude]

[desultude]

[jdl]

Have you explored the option of a pardon? Has your criminal record caused you any problems in getting your passport? Perhaps you should seek advice from legal aid or a law firm or State Department. You don't want to make a relocation/career decision based on hearsay?

[hope3809]

I was, originally, going to teach in the Czech Republic (I did my TEFL course there this past April-May) and due to a DUI on my record I did the research on the Visa thing. Check the Czech embassy website out. That's where I discovered that it is a 'felony' that they are looking for when it comes to your criminal check. "You can not have a felony of any kind" and since, in most States anyway, a DUI/DWI is a misdemeanor you will be ok.

The Czech Republic is great but the pay is not so great. However, I do plan on making it there eventually...just want to have more money in my savings so the low pay won't matter. But you will love the country and if you have money saved up the low pay won't be too bad because the cost of living is very low and the public transportation is amazing.

Cheers!