Job Discussion Forums

[fladude]

I've been told that Southern Cross has a policy against hiring Americans. Which is why I would not take a CELTA from them. I wasn't saying that I even wanted to work there, but it was just the principle.

[daniel_hayes]

Ecuador seems to be a great place, and I am also interested in the S.Cross Celta, and then getting a job in Quito or elsewhere.

I am British and have an MA and BA in English Literature. Would I be able to get a job that pays my rent and general living expenses (nothing extravagant or wild!).

Ecuador might be the place for me!!

[HLJHLJ]

You shouldn't have any problem finding a job with a liveable wage. Just be aware that the timing of the CELTA is important too, try to arrange not to finish it just before a major holiday, as many places wind down then. But even if you do, you should still be able to find work, it just might take a little longer. With your qualifications you probably want to look at University work as well, which usually pays better.

[daniel_hayes]

Thanks HLJ(x2),

The visas for Ecuador seem very complex, and this is one of my ONLY issues with Ecuador -- especially if finding decent jobs is possible.

Would I get a x12 visa and then try and get a Work Visa? Basically, how long could I stay in Ecuador without a work visa. But if schools sort out work visas, then there will be no problem I guess.

[HLJHLJ]

You would get a 12-IX visa in the UK, it's not that hard to get, but there are a few hoops to jump through. If you intend to work in Ecuador get used to endless and time consuming bureaucracy. There's no point getting stressed about it, it's a way of life here, you just have to get on with it.

The 12-IX is valid for ~ 6 months from arrival. It's a tourist visa, but it allows you to work, and gives you plenty of time to find a job and apply for a new visa. Most schools will do that for you, though usually it's a cultural exchange visa rather than a work visa. Which is fine, as long as the school is set-up for a cultural exchange programme. Some schools also use student visas, which is a little more dodgy unless you really are taking Spanish lessons with them as well. Be very wary of anywhere that tries to give you a volunteer visa, if you aren't volunteering.

If you are going to go straight on to the CELTA try and arrange to stay in Quito for a week first so you can get your visa registered. It's easier to do it here than in Guayaquil. If you are doing the course in Quito it's not a problem, you can just do it while you are here.

If you come in on a regular tourist visa you will get a 3 month stamp. You cannot legally work on it, and the better employers won't want to employ you, as it's a hassle for them. There are schools that would still take you on, but they don't pay as much, and it'll be a case of taking what you can get, rather than being able to find a job you actually want. Also, if you do find a good school to take you on, they will want to do the visa conversion properly, which means converting your tourist visa into a 12-IX and then converting that into a work/cultural exchange visa later on. You will probably be expected to pay for at least the 12-IX conversion, and it will still only be valid for 6 months, including the time already spent here on a normal tourist visa.

Search through the posts here for info about the 12-IX and visas, there's lots of useful posts about it. But if you want to chat about the specifics of getting the 12-IX in UK PM me for my email address, I'll be happy to help if I can.

[just_a_mirage]

As usual HLJHLJ you are right on with your information, except for one small thing. I am a teacher, and I also have a small business where I help people register and obtain visas. I work out of Guayaquil, and it is extremely easy to register your visa in Guayaquil. At the moment it is easier than registering in Quito because of the re-orginazation in the Quito office. Things continue to process smoothly in Guayaquil.

[daniel_hayes]

Is it an easy, and legal process to change onto a Volunteer Visa, and continue working?

How many hours of volunteering would I have to do? And is there any way to use learning Spanish to extend the x12 visa after 6 months have expired.

Gracias,

Tu amigo, Daniel

[HLJHLJ]

That's interesting Just-A-Mirage, could you perhaps post a guide on getting a visa registered and getting a Censo in Guayaquil? I don't know anyone who's managed to to do it yet. Generally what happens is that people get sent to various offices only to be told everytime that they need to go elsewhere first, or that places are closed, or only process a few registrations a day, or on certain days, etc etc. Until eventually they give up and come up to Quito and do it.

If it's straightforward, and it's just a case of knowing when and where to go, that would be great, and the info would save people a lot of hassle.

As far as I know, the problems in Quito were only in the downtown office, Edificio Katrina wasn't affected. I've not heard of anyone having difficulties registering there, and know 2 people who have it all processed recently, one last month and one this week. I don't know if things have improved any downtown though. It was a mess down there for a while.

[HLJHLJ]

[just_a_mirage]

It is very easy to register in Guayaquil...I usually do several a week. You need to go to the office in the basement of the Registro Civil, near the Malecon downtown. This may be where the confusion was, because they changed locations not too long ago. Anyway, you need to arrive before 11am. You must have the original visa page (make sure you make copies for yourself, as they will take the original), a letter in Spanish requesting that they register your visa, a color copy of your passport picture page, and a copy of the visa stamp from your arrival in your passport. All of these must be put into a manilla folder and placed in a number five gold colored envelope. They will look over the material, and if everything is in order, you will be given an invoice to go to the bank to pay your regstrtion fee of $10. When you give them the bank receipt (make a copy for yourself) they will take your passport. You then come back either that afternoon or the next morning, and you get your passport with the visa stamp, and you sign the registration book. If you use a facilitator like myself, you dont need to appear at all. Then you go with your passport and proof of where you will be living in Ecuador to the Migracion office across from the Terminal Terrestre. You again make copies of your passport picture page, your visa stamps, and you put them into a number five envelope (which you can buy there) and give them to the officer on duty in the Censo section. Your picture will be taken, you pay $4 and you get your Censo immediately.

[HLJHLJ]

That's great! I think you are right and that it is the office move that has caused the problems. Is it OK if copy this over into the other thread so it doesn't get lost?

[just_a_mirage]

Of course. Feel free to copy away.

[daniel_hayes]

The more I learn about Ecuador, the more I like it! So what advice would anyone give for a prospective newbise to Ecuador? I might get the Celta, do a Spanish course (maybe the language course first?), and then look for work in Quito or wherever.

What places, in Ecuador, would people recommed for teacher to work and live?

[HLJHLJ]

Knowing a little Spanish will definitely help, but plenty of people turn up not knowing a word of it, also you will pick it up quickly once you are here. Especially if you take lessons as well.

Doing a CELTA in Ecuador won't particularly help you get a job here, (over doing it in the UK). But IMHO doing it in a developing country will help prepare you for the practicalities of teaching here.

You get a job in Ecuador by knocking on doors and asking. I know it sounds odd, but that's really how it's done. It doesn't hurt to send a CV in advance if you can get an email address, but you are unlikely to be hired until you turn up in person.

As far as I have seen, there are still plenty of jobs available for qualified teachers in Quito. I don't know anyone who's been unable to find work. There is also plenty of work in Guayaquil, which is on the coast. Plus there are jobs in smaller cities all over the country and on the coast. These are harder to find, just because of the smaller numbers of them, and they usually pay less, but it's cheaper to live outside the big cities as well.

If you don't want to be in Quito or Guayaquil, have a good wodge of savings behind you to see you through while you wait for something to come up. Otherwise take something in a big city, with a view to moving on later when you've found your feet.

[daniel_hayes]

Out of Quito and Guayaquil, which is the better place to live? I'd love to be near the coast, but Quito seems like a great place.