Job Discussion Forums

[shamblaram]

Hi all,

I've just passed my CELTA and was hoping to teach in Vietnam. But I've read that in order to get a work permit, I would need a criminal record check. I have a drink driving conviction in the uk (from two years ago; ban finished a year ago)...

When I first saw the stipulation of a 'clean criminal record' on school requirements, I asked on a few Vietnam/Teaching forums... All the replies clearly said that I had nothing to worry about; that although my record was not 'clean', the authorities would distinguish between driving convictions and serious offenses (murder, drug dealing, sex offending etc...)

But after a tentative inquiry about working at a school at HMC, when I mentioned my conviction (I thought I'd test the waters), I was told that they wouldn't accept an application from me, because my conviction could cause a big problem for them trying to get me a permit.

I'm trying to work out if there is a definitive answer re this: were the school right? or were they rejecting me, not because of the permit issues, but because it suggested some kind of immorality on my part? is there even a definitive answer on this subject?

I apologise if this topic has been covered before on this forum, but I cant seem to find any info on it. If anyone out there has experience of this and can put my mind at rest (positive or negative) it greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[shamblaram]

HELLO,

Can anyone give me advice on this? Is the silence because no can help? Or because the answer is obvious (to all of you out there)? I'm trying to work out if I should be forgetting about Vietnam as a TEFL destination...

PLEASE let me know your opinions

[BenE]

If you sit around in Vietnam for 6 months then you can apply for a CR check there instead and avoid that requirement. You'll have to work without a permit and do the visa runs etc. depending on how strict the current visa situation is at the moment.
I'm not there right now so I can't really comment on the situation.

[shamblaram]

Thank you for that tip. That could be an option...

So, you're saying that my conviction WILL be a problem?

[BenE]

Well if you apply for a CR check in Vietnam they won't care what you did anywhere else in the world.

I'd say stick it out then go to the local Cong An office and ask for a police check. You'll need one of your vietnamese friends to help you.

[Jbhughes]

In Vietnam there are fortune tellers that people visit for all manner of reasons - deciding the day of a marriage, when to build a new house are examples that I know of.

Visiting such a person will probably give you as definitive an answer as those of us that live in VN (and have submitted criminal checks, have work permits etc) can give.

Sorry Shamblaram, but any kind of definitive answer when it comes to officialdom here is a contradiction in terms. I can understanding you wanting one - and who wouldn't/doesn't(!) - but successfully getting a work permit is a strange combination of luck, people you or your employer know and maybe 'look-after', and maybe the right paperwork.

For example, if one checks the work permit regulations (available with a quick google and in English), one will see that a degree or 5 years experience is necessary. I know people with neither that still have the hallowed blue document.

Good luck!

[snollygoster]

Vietnam authorities rejecting a work permit application because the applicant is a drink driver is quite an anomoly isnt it?
I have seen so many Vietnamese policemen driving whilst absolutely blind, and also been at numerous government functions where the "authorities" drive after the event despite the fact they can hardly scratch themselves.

Yet they dare to deny a work permit because some poor sod (foreigner) was caught 2 years ago- Hmmm sounds very Vietnamese-doesnt it- Like the railway guard who sits under the "No smoking " sign and lights up, with the explanation "but I work for the railway-so the sign doesnt apply to me".

[bobpen]

Drinking and driving is just an average night out on the town in Vietnam.

[shamblaram]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Guess I'm going to have to either:

a) claim to the schools that I have a 'clean' criminal record, to get a job, and then hope that when I get hold of my CRB check my conviction is ignored by the vietnamese officials

or

b) forget about teaching in vietnam, and for that matter Korea, China, and Thailand... Apparently, most of Asia now requires 'clean' criminal records for work permits

[shamblaram]

ps I realise that drink driving is incredibly irresponsible/dangerous and I deeply regret my offense. But... I'm disappointed all the same.

[Mattingly]

[shamblaram]

sorry, yes, option 'c' is to go to vietnam and work under the radar for 6 months, then get a CR check there, as you guys have said. And having thought about this today, this seems like the nest option for me. Thanks for the advice.

(my conviction is from the UK, where they have one main CRB, so no way to jump around state checks, sadly; but thanks anyway for the suggestion)

[JPF611]

You can obtain a work permit to teach in Vietnam with a drink driving conviction on your CRB check without problem. I know this from recent personal experience.

[shamblaram]

that is the best news I've had in.. well, in a long time. thank you!

[davehb34]

You don't even need a work permit to teach in Vietnam... I taught there for 8 months until April 2011 and never had a problem. Just had to get my 3 month visa extended for $35. I only met a few people that had work permits and they worked at international schools. Unless the school requires it and is willing to pay for it I wouldn't bother.