Job Discussion Forums

[marg252]

I am 2 distance classes away from mine, which I would like to complete during the spring semester while already working in Vietnam. Is it a visa requirement?

I have 2 years of experience teaching in China and India and a 60 hour in-class TESOL.

Thanks

[inky]

It's not a requirement for a visa, just about anyone can get a visa and get it renewed a few times; it IS a requirement for a Work Permit, which you would eventually need if you were staying for an extended period (more than 3 months) and needed ongoing visa renewals. With a 3-year WP, you get one-year visas, easily renewed.

[Phinaes Gage]

For those who already have a work permit, and Inky is correct in saying that a University degree is a requirement for a work permit, you can also get a temporary residence card. This is nice because it acts in place of a visa, and is good for as long as your WP is valid. Meaning, you no longer need to use up pages in your passport to get visas. Just make sure you remember to bring the card when you travel as you no longer have a valid visa in your passport. I don't know exactly what the process is for getting one (my employer got it for me), but I just filled out a form and gave them 4 passport photos. I assume (and I know it's a big assumption) that it is fairly simple to get a temporary residence card if you already have a work permit.

[marg252]

Thanks a lot for the quick replies.

After the first 3 month stay, it is possible to leave the country for a week or so and then come back in for 3 months?

[inky]

Sorry, I wrote 3 months as an arbitrary example, not knowing how long your enrty visa is for; my understanding of the law is that your school can renew your 1-month visa to a 3-month visa twice, which should allow you 6 months total. Also, it's my understanding that, after that, you can leave the country and get a new 3-month (maybe longer) visa, and return. So if you complete your degree in that first 6 months, you should be good to go for a WP.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

I just deleted two inappropriate postings. If they continue, sanctions will be issued. This will happen before any consideration is given to locking or removing the thread.

[Green Acres]

No, it is not necessary. You must have a visa, however, and this can be procured, especially in hcmc.

[mark_in_saigon]

Hello folks. I am Mark, and have just joined the site. I would like to continue this conversation, as it is quite relevant to my situation. I intend to teach English in VN in the future, and do not have a bachelor�s degree. I have a two year degree, and will be taking the CELTA when I arrive in VN. I taught at a university in the north earlier this year, and was quite pleased with the progress the students made, and enjoyed the experience immensely. I am able to live in VN without need for an income, as I have incomes from the states, so I am not pressed to work for any particular kind of operation (language schools versus universities, for example), and it is not terribly important what rate of pay I get. The main issue to me is to be able to stay in the country on a long term basis. Okay, I am now going to insert some quotes from some westerners in HCMC who are professionals in the field of employing westerners for teaching English. When necessary, I will leave in the relevant parts of my questions so you can see what questions they are answering. Not that it matters, but these are two different people, so I will call them R1 and R2 (recruiter 1 or 2) if you want to know who is answering what.

R1: Mark
Yes the **** has hit the fan here they are only giving one month visas to foreigners the reason being the credit crunch has arrived in vn unemployment has rocketed and the vietnamese want the chinese and indians out of vn so the vietnamese can take there jobs and unfortunately we have been caught in the net SO you now need a B/A to assure you a work permit
Regards



ME: I am reading that VN is going to enforce the requirement of a bachelors for anyone teaching English.

R2: This has been in force since 2002 from the department of labour and social affairs and invalids.
ME: Can you confirm this, or tell me what is going on?
R2: see above. The goal posts change daily in Vietnam and I can only tell you what is happening today. There are teachers coming in without degrees, some with diplomas some studying diplomas while working, some with years of teaching experience overseas..

R1: SO you now need a B/A to assure you a work permit [repeated in an email sent to R2]

ME: When he says "assure" that implies that without a bachelors it is still possible, just not assured.
R2: You cant get a work permit now without a degree but it does not mean that you cant teach here. There are teachers or foreigners who are getting 6 month visas.

ME: You stated that there are teachers coming in without degrees, in addition to some coming in under other circumstances. Does this mean some are still getting hired without degrees?

R2: yes.

I asked a question about teaching in universities versus language centers:
R2: The university set up is a bit different. I believe that if the uni is gov owned they can employ who they want. The authorities are very strict with the foreign owned schools.




Okay, I am not sure what all of this means, but as I have cultivated these contacts a bit, and met personally with one of them while in HCMC, I thought I would add this information to the thread. My personal feeling is that if I needed the income and was in tight financial straits, going to teach in VN would not be a good bet, especially if one does not have a bachelors. My situation is that I am going for various reasons, have no pressing need for income, and am willing to teach free classes for the experience. Oh, here is what the VN embassy said also, they have form letters that attempt to answer questions, so I will include this as well.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN VISITING VIETNAM AND FOR WRITING TO THE EMBASSY.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE APPROVAL NUMBER, YOU MAY SEND THE REQUEST TO THE EMBASSY TO APPLY FOR VISA AND APPROVAL NUMBER AT THE SAME TIME. THE EMBASSY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE VISA APPROVAL NUMBER FOR YOU AND
VISA FEE WITHOUT A PRIOR AUTHORIZATION/APPROVAL WILL BE :

[they proceed to list the time frames and fees for various visas]



Note: THE MAXIMUM MULTI ENTRY VISA THAT THE EMBASSY CAN arrange IS 03 MONTHS. UP-TO-ONE YEAR VISA IS GIVEN TO ANY ONE WHO HAS PRE-APPROVAL AND WILL GO TO WORK IN VIETNAM FOR MORE THAN 03 MONTHS.


Hope this adds some value to this thread. I am really afraid though, the more one looks at, the more uncertain one becomes. That is why I feel it is best for a new arrival to do this only if he can afford it, and not depend on it as an income.

[inky]

"That is why I feel it is best for a new arrival to do this only if he can afford it, and not depend on it as an income."
Unless, of course, the foreigner has a BA and an ESL certification. You are referring, I assume, to those who, like you, don't meet the requirements.