Job Discussion Forums

[kaphil]

Hello, hopefully some of you experienced teachers can shed some light on my issues. I have read through many of the posts and it seems everyone is having some visa problems in Ecuador.

So, my girlfriend and I were planning moving to Ecuador and attending the Southern Cross CELTA school. After obtaining the CELTA we want to work in Ecuador. But there are some issues like, I have been arrested one time and that shows up on my criminal history report. Will this one arrest affect me when I try to get a work visa?

My girlfriend does not have a BA, once she gets her CELTA will she be able to get employment? I was told that we would be fine even with my arrest. But then I started reading all these post about people not getting a work visa because they don' t have a BA in education and other things.

I was planning on coming over on a 90 day tourist visa attending the school and then finding an employer who will sponsor me for the work visa, my only concern is the arrest record.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[latif]

have you contacted the Ecuador consulate in your area, u might wanna try that, and even try to get a 12 IX visa (even with the one arrest record) --- this way you'll get some idea how problematic it might be ?

And have some sort of a back plan ...

[kaphil]

Yes I contacted the consulate in Los Angeles, and I was told by them that if I had an arrest on my record, any arrest, I would be denied a 12 IX visa. So, that is why I was going to try and get a work visa after I had completed the CELTA.

[BocaNY]

Hi I don't really know about having an arrest expect for this:

for the work visa you will also need a background check, for any visa you need it.

I would just say try for the 12 IX visa and see if you get it.

Good Luck.

[just_a_mirage]

I have known people who came here on a tourist visa, and then changed it in country. Because they didnt have a police check from home with them, they went to the Pejota here in Guayaquil to obtain an Ecuadorean police report. As with anything in Ecuacdor, cant say for sure it will work out for you, but it did work for three people I know, and of course an Ecuadorean police report will not reflect any arrest record you had in the states.

[TIKITEMBO]

Your best bet as far as I can tell is to get certified at Southern Cross, but then leave Ecuador. There are new laws here that make getting a work visa a nightmare to begin with and most schools won�t get one for you. Additionally, I�ve heard there are new requirements for teaching English that are the result of a new law that was put down here in Ecuador that say to teach English you have to have not only the CELTA but an English related degree as well. I�ve heard this from people who are teaching here, but I think they�re okay since they were teaching already. Another question to ask the embassy, but I wouldn�t be surprised if it�s true. However, just about every other country in S.A. doesn�t have the visa problem in the same way that EC does, it�s just that they don�t get you a visa and you work illegally. Not good, but at least you�ll have an opportunity. I would think that more countries might be relaxed about the background as well if they don�t have to get you a visa, then it�s none of their business.

[bh_daddy]

Every language institute is going to be different in regards to their requirements for prospective teachers. Having the CELTA/TEFL and at least some teaching experience in some capacity are both good qualifications. As far as the visa is concerned, a single criminal offense shouldn't be an automatic disqualification for an intercultural visa, for example, which some language institutes can help you obtain.

Generally speaking, the higher their standards, the more reputable the institution is going to be, although that isn't always going to be the case. If you do find a reputable school to work for, it may be the case that they'll be hiring, but not for a few months down the road. The sierra region of the country (including Quito and Cuenca) operates on a similar calendar as schools do in the US, so it's always worthwhile to get in touch with schools a couple of months before a semester would be starting.

My recommendation would be to try to get into contact with as many schools as possible while you're here in Ecuador, and beforehand, as well. Find out from them what their criteria are for hiring, and let them know when you hope to start working. If you're planning to get the CELTA anyway, come, enjoy the many unique places you can see all around the country, and do your best to get things lined up. A good school will usually be of at least some help to a qualified teacher in regards to visas.