Job Discussion Forums

[pwlivingstone2706]

Hi,

On another of my threads there was talk of the new VISA regulations.

I am teaching here on a 6 month Business Visa ... which expires in January, and I was planning on getting an extension and working until August ... before moving on...

I have a Cambridge CELTA, but no university degree....

Should I be worried about getting my Visa extended in January?

Surely they don't think those dozens (hundreds) of schools that employ people like myself are going to be able to survive without people like me?

thanks for any thoughts, suggestions, or opinions...

Philip

[Danaa]

I think it's a bit too early to be asking now, as you have a few months.

But good luck.

[Dave_1]

I

[lucreziaborgia]

The party's over.

[shanewarne]

The immigration department has stopped giving out Business Visas (B3) so easily. To get a business Visa you must have a work permit or a work contract (Business License, stamp certificate, tax cert, signature of employer and visa form). With a work permit you can get a 6-12 months visa and with a work contract you can get a 3 month multiple visa only. If you dont have either you can get a 1 month visa extension only and then you have to leave the country and come back to get a 3 month mulitple visa on arrival. Hope this helps.

[snollygoster]

I usually find ESL employers reluctant to go through the messy procedure and expense of getting a work permit when they have been able to get away without it in the past.
This is not a good situation for the teacher, but the employers usually say that its no problem-will fix.
Seems this may not be as easy as it was - New brooms sweeping clean and making good (?) impressions.
I have some friends who have now applied for extensions and been granted a one month tourist visa instead, surely a little note to say "get out-we dont need you round eyes here".
Sad for the teachers who have married Viets and have children born here.
So mummy or daddy has to leave the family? That is surely NOT a compassionate way to deal with this issue, especially when the teacher has attempted to secure a work permit by encouraging his/her employer to gain one and met with the "She'll be apples mate" response.
Personally, I am a long term campaigner, been here over 9 years with Viet spouse and child- Will the government send "daddy" away?

Wonder how many will pay to keep extending month by month, and how many will leave?
Surely the Schools have some influence in the economy, as ESL is a really large employer sector-Current students are learning to say "my mother is a house wife" quite well, maybe we will go back now to the old "Moi mud or ee or how why" which took a generation to correct.
Good luck.
Lets get rid of all the foreigners and watch the prediction come true as Vietnam's economy goes to hell in a basket.

[inky]

The rules haven't changed. There is no concerted effort to get rid of "round eyes," only to enforce the law. If you've been here for 9 years without a Work Permit, then the onus is on you. And if you're married to a Vietnamese, can't they sponsor you? No families are being torn apart as you describe.

Your demeaning comment ("my mother is a housewife") serves no purpose in this discussion. Most of the parents of my students are professionals (engineers, doctors, accountants, etc.). Some work at home, and some work at cleaning foreigners' homes. This is something to make fun of? Same goes for your rude mockery of pronunciation errors, any decent professional can easily correct those mistakes, in a much shorter time frame than a generation.

[just noel]

[BenE]

I was very quick to insist on a work permit at my current workplace. Everyone back when I was doing it told me it was a hellish process and that the document has no use.

Now in a few days my VISA is up for renewal but I know there will be no issue.

Getting a work permit isn't as difficult as everyone makes out. It just involves going to a few offices and making sure you have all your documents. It took me maybe 2 months to sort out but it's certainly paid off in this current crisis.

[inky]

"Directors and administrators cannot answer questions about visa renewals right now because they don't know..."
That's only true for some; there are plenty of serious professionals who can answer these questions clearly and succinctly. I think maybe what you mean is there are some who can't help with visa renewals, that's a different story. If they've been employing teachers who don't qualify for WP's, then they can't help with a visa renewal.

[ajc19810]

[snollygoster]

Firstly, to put the record straight, let me point out that I was proudly the first foreigner in Vietnam to have a Work Permit- that was many years ago- Now employers try to cut costs and administrative effort by NOT getting work permits. 3 month contracts which are renewed constantly, have served to circumvent this problem.

Secondly, there used to be an ingrained pronunciation problem amongst Vietnamese English speakers that was the result of students being taught pronunciation from Vietnamese teachers, who learnt it from Vietnamese teachers, therefore compounding the pronunciation problems, and whilst some foreign teachers have professional students only who dont "clean foreigners homes", (what a "colonial" remark by another poster), most teachers are not as fortunate, and have students who DO have lower status jobs. This is life and is not a mockery of a well known and recognized pronunciation problem- Why do schools employ foreigners?
95% will clearly state "pronunciation".
Why do students seek foreign teachers? Pronunciation- So to deny there is a pronunciation problem is to negate the prime reason Vietnamese ESL establishments employ foreigners.

Advice from an agent who renews visas indicates that (in the agents opinion), the current enforcement of the law is a commercial matter that is intended to bring in more money. As quoted by the agent, A one year b3 costs about $100 + some fees, but a one month tourist visa costs $65 + fees.
Maths indicate that 12X$65 is more than 1x$100. Simple greed.
I have asked some employers about the ability to extend a 1 month visa to 3 months twice, and although a few even contacted the department about this, they say this does not seem likely.

Spouse sponsorship- Made enquiry about this about 18 months ago- Its onerous to say the least, and I was led to believe in no way a "bankable" solution.

If you have a Work Permit, it seems all is fine-but getting that WP seems the sticking point. Employers are loathe to do it, and although I have tried to get my own, it has not been possible to date. If anyone has any CONSTRUCTIVE advice about this instead of denigrating remarks, I am all ears, and I am sure so are some others.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

The topic of this thread is a real-life sensitive matter for many members and readers. Constructive and sensitive comments are appreciated. Inapprorpriate, insensitive and gloating responses will be deleted and sanctions issued. Sanctions have been known to include permanent bans along with iSPs.

There will be no additional warnings.

[inky]

This conflicting information must be so confusing to people looking for clear answers. All I can do is to relate my own experience, that my employer encourages one-year contracts and aggressively requires teachers to get Work Permits, not only assisting with the process but, apart from document notarization, taking care of all of the paperwork and costs, including the annual visa renewals. I guess it's a benefit of working for a solid, established school that follows the rules and appreciates its good teachers and cares about the students as well.

Again, if you have the Big Three documents (ESL certificate, uni degree, and criminal background check), you should have no problems getting a WP. If the admins at a school are reluctant to assist with this as snolly suggests, that's a sign of trouble in other departments as well.

MOD EDIT

[just noel]