Job Discussion Forums

wasted_ace19 · Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Posts: 41

Dear all,

I'm coming to Vietnam (HCMC) in early march 2010, and -like most people, I gather- I'm becoming very worried about the work permit situation.

I think, like a lot of people my age going to teach EFL in Vietnam these days, I actually have pretty good (but not 'brilliant') credentials; I have written them below. However, I'm still worrying that my work permit application will be turned down.

I have no teaching masters etc., and very little EFL experience. I'm surely a very bog-standard case all things considered.

Here's a rough CV. Does anyone (who has knowldege/experience in this regard) have the roughest of ideas as to what my "chances" are?

Like I say, my CV is one that is fairly typical of the average CELTA graduate moving over from UK just now, so I think this thread could prove helpful to many others besides myself. I have a small amount of experience, but as its not an official school I'm sceptical of it having any concrete merit.

Take a look - "Will I get a work permit"?

my CV...

- Cambridge CELTA (Pass), attained November 2009.

- M.A. (First Class Honours) in Sociology, from Univeristy of Glasgow. Attained 2009. (This M.A. was a 4-year undergrad. course)

- Clean Police clearance ("UK Basic Disclosure") attained December 2009.

- experience in teaching a small group of Pre-Intermediate Spanish students for two months; private tuition in students' flat. November-December 2009.

-No debts besides student loan (I don't imagine this matters)

inky · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 283 Location: Hanoi

You shouldn't have any trouble getting a Work Permit based on your CV, but keep in mind that the key to getting the WP is getting a contract with a reputable school, one that wants teachers to have WPs and will facilitate (and in some cases cover all of the costs of and do all of the paperwork for) the process.

As you know, you need the original documents and they should be notarized.

half moon · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 49

doublea71 · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 23 Location: The 'Nam

You'll be fine. Just make sure your academic documents are properly notarized and authenticated before you bring them here, as well as your police background check. I'm not sure what the process is for U.K. (or does it fall under E.U. auspices now?) citizens but as long as you have these documents properly notarized, authenticated, and approved by the Vietnamese consulate in the U.K., the process will be easy. A good school will help you with the rest (health check, translation of your documents, the actual work permit application). But, as a previous poster wrote, nobody knows what the process will be in March when you arrive. Just assume nothing will change and you'll be prepared.

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

doublea71 · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 23 Location: The 'Nam

As long as the copies are notarized and authenticated, they should be fine. If you really want to teach here for awhile, you should go through the trouble and added expense while you're in the states (that's where you are, right?)

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Yes, I'm here now. I have put this in motion with my undergraduate degree and am doing so with my graduate degrees tomorrow.

I really am considering a way that we an share information more rapidly and with more confidence, given a number of responses, in uncertain times and places such as Vietnam now. The semester just ended, so perhaps I can have something online in the next couple of weeks.