Job Discussion Forums

[Mattingly]

OK,

Is anyone getting first-hand, credible reports about the current visa uncertainty at the moment.

I know 2 people personally who submitted their 3 month visas as usual only to have them returned with only 30 days.

They have to do a visa run via an airport, just for an extension.

Another teacher I know submitted his passport for a 3 month and only got 1 week for $100.

No, I'm not kidding. One week, for $100.

He has to book a plane ticket pronto.

Any other first hand accounts of this happening to anyone else?

Is this a temporary "change" once again, or a new rule?

[[email protected]]

Had to renew my visa for another 3 months and it cost me $150 USD. Does that seem expensive. This is the first time I had to renew it after making a trip to Bangkok. Haven't got it back yet, but hopefully I'll get 3 months. I keep everyone updated.

[spycatcher reincarnated]

Not sure if this has anything to do with it:

http://www.pwc.com/vn/en/publications/2011/assets/290611-NB-decree-46-on-foreigners-working-in-vietnam-en.pdf

These PWC briefs are usually just a summary of the decrees, where they pick out the bits that may be more important to their corporate clients, so the actual decree could contain more info.

[[email protected]]

@Slanted and Enchanted

Sorry, but not everyone who doesn't have a work visa means that they're a rift-raft or backpacker. I've been here for pretty much two years and have dedicated myself to teaching and am doing quite well at the moment. Also remember that I think to get a work visa you need a university degree which I have, but some people don't. That may not be their fault due to financial reasons. Also take in mind that only a few schools in Vietnam really offer a work visa. Not everyone may be as fortunate as you to work for one of these schools. Don't want to get this thread killed but I just thought your assumption went a bit too far.

[sigmoid]

[LettersAthruZ]

I see Choung's point....that's a bit of an arrogant statement....


I know a few teachers up here who are excellent, qualified instructors, but for a whole HOST OF REASONS, ranging from a centre/school NOT dealing out any sort of assistance on work permits/residence permits to experienced instructors really not knowing of they want to stay here after trying it for three months.

INTERESTING decree, Spycatcher.....but they CAN AND WILL institute this new clampdown because, as the Economic Depression gets worse and worse in America (which friends of mine who have been back there tell me it is) and The U.K. and Ireland are in even bigger trouble than The States are economically, the days of high demand and low supply for English language instruction are DONE in Viet Nam!

Therefore, with supply (of newly-minted ESL instructors) now almost to the point (in a couple Vietnamese cities) of surpassing demand, the Government can do this because there is no reason to allow these people to stay here!

However, if this new crackdown IS in fact, true - one WILL STILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A THREE-MONTH VISA.....

...it's just that the Hối Lộ ("bribe") required for said three-month visa is now going to go up exponentially.

I mean, come on - this is just yet another corrupt money grab from the Powers That Be here......

....problem is, if you refuse to be extorted like that and you don't get a visa renewal and you leave.....they will NOT come chasing after you begging you to stay like they used to, 'cause they'll be several other Paddies, Yankees and Limeys lined up to take your place.....

[spycatcher reincarnated]

I have seen at least 4 decrees about this subject over the years and all of them have been relatively toothless in the mid to long term, but most would have resulted in some kind of short term crackdown.

One can see that the government is slowly enforcing the necessity for work permits here, but the reality of the situation is that this has taken a long time and probably will continue to take much longer.

The above decree may just be to catch out certain undesirables. Vietnam has recently had a spat with the Chinese and there are hundreds of thousands (don't think this is an exageration) of Chinese working illegally in Vietnam. So maybe this is just targeted at them.

I wouldn't be overly worried about the above decree. Even if certain sectors of the EFL market get shaken down I still think work permit requirements at low end schools and working privately will not be an issue for many years to come.

I remember the crash helmet law/decree was issued at least 6 times over a 10 year period before it was enforced.

[bobpen]

[mark_in_saigon]

Except for the red haired boys, I think someone says they are called "hero drivers", who by virtue of their willingness to die before being pulled over, are given a free pass on the helmet law, as well as any other driving laws, if they have any laws about driving, do they? I hadn't noticed any besides the helmet law. Actually, I kinda don't like that one, it was nice when we were more like a rolling party on the streets and could see each other face to face, I think the helmet law took something away from the motorbike culture.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

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[mark_in_saigon]

mine is up in a week or so, and the folks who help me assure me that we will be fine. They checked back on it after I alerted them on the news from this thread. My deal is a little different, as I work for an American company managed by VK, who are well connected, but they do not have to get deeply involved in the visa battles, the visas seem to come along nicely. Last year at about this same time it seemed more uncertain.

Members, please post any current info you have on this, if you are getting yours without problems or getting them with problems, or not getting them renewed. Whatever, let's hear the details.

[LettersAthruZ]

[DNK]

Got turned down a few weeks ago for a renewal on a 3-mo. Got a 1-mo extension on it for $35, and that was it. Now I have to make a visa run. Will be talking to another agency tomorrow to see what's up, but I was due for a vacation anyway. Hopefully it's not longer than intended...

[LettersAthruZ]

[DNK]

Talked to the agency today. Deal I was given is this:

You're limited to 1 year before having to leave.

Need to return by plane in order to get a 3mo visa.

You can get a 3mo single entry, but it can't be extended.

You can get a 3mo multiple entry, and it can be extended twice.

You can get a 3mo multi, extend twice, then a 3mo single, then a 1mo, and then you have to leave again. So, basically that's like 34mo total after doing a run (I'm not a math teacher!).

You can also leave and come back and get a 1mo if you don't arrive by plane.

You don't have to leave by plane in any case (although, as you will see, it's cheaper unless you want to spend 24 hours on buses and trains).

Tickets from (one-way) Phnom are like $220 via Vietnam Airlines (huge ripoff, but that's another matter). Tickets to/from Bangkok are about $170 through Air Asia (round trip). I got this after extensive searching, but then I'm looking for a flight 1 week out, so it's cheaper a bit further out.

You can grab a bus to the border and back for like $15, of course.

You also should get a letter of somethingorother before leaving that assures a visa upon arrival at the airport. The letter is $35 and then there's a $50 stamp fee upon arrival. That's for 3mo multiple. I believe renewals are $50 or so.

A new 3mo single is $55.

The 1mo is $35 when in-country, and I'm not sure about the border 1mo entry visa cost.

This was from an agency that is used by my school, so they had less reason to rip me off than the typical tourist agency, and as such I'm generally trusting their word on the matter (and their prices seem in line with the cheaper side of other places).

This is solely for HCM. Good luck in Hanoi.

Will update as I get more info and do the run (hopefully the final update will be from inside VN )