Job Discussion Forums

[Alrichar]

Hey, so I'm hoping to get some good advice about getting a job in Peter. I don't know if it's totally possible with what we've got, maybe we'll have to settle for Kiev (also beautiful) or something, but here goes.

We both have ICAL TEFL certificates, which counts for very little depending on who's asking. I taught a class once a week for a semester this year and I also work for an ESL school in Boston doing mostly admin, but probably about 3-6 hours substituting a week on average. My girlfriend has no formal experience teaching ESL, we taught a first year Russian course last year for my college, but that's not really the same.

We are really hoping for St. Petersburg, we have friends out there and it's where we met ages ago. I doubt any schools in Russia would care much, but we both went to pretty reputable colleges (she did especially). We also both majored in Russian, so we speak reasonably well.

Help us out! Maybe it's just not possible, but it would be nice to hear some opinions, maybe someone can point us in the right direction.

[Foma87]

If you're really serious about going to SPb, get a Business Visa and look for work while you're there. You'll find it quickly. This way you can earn some money and get some experience while you find a long-term visa solution (you can't work legally on a Business Visa, though most schools don't care about this). Either a school will pick you up full time and provide you with a Work Visa (safe route) or you'll find another solution. You're Russian will be a big advantage, not so much for teaching as getting around. BTW unless your GF went to Harvard or Oxford, there's a 99.9% chance that her potential employer will NOT have ever heard of the school she attended.

[Alrichar]

You know, we've thought about doing that. It sounds kind of risky to me. We have a close friend out there we might be able to stay with for a while, but we haven't got a lot of money to risk.

She went to the University of Chicago, and I think you're probably right that they've never heard of it.

You said that either we could go for a work visa or figure out another solution. What kind of other solutions are out there?

[coledavis]

The schools are likely to be rather more bothered about your online TEFL qualification than where you did your degree. Still, as you've managed to gain some experience, you may be in with a shout. If you go to the Eslbase website and look at the schools directory, you can try to approach schools from afar, see if they are currently in need of teachers.

[Foma87]

Worse case scenario would be that neither you nor your girlfriend find work once your there, but that is VERY unlikely given the demand for natives. I'm sure more than a few schools would offer you part-time work once you're there.
If you email a bunch of schools telling them you'll be in SPb and are looking for work, you'll undoubtably get some interviews lined up, as well.
Whether you find a school willing to help with visa is another question. But like I said, you can make do on a Business Visa until that happens (I did for more than a year until I got a Study Visa). You could also apply for Temporary Residence once you're there.

[coledavis]

On what grounds would they get temporary residency? Are they related to Gerard Depardieu?

[coledavis]

And Alrichar is right: Foma's ideas are risky. You are not allowed to work on a business visa and the authorities have tightened up on this sort of thing. Also working on a study visa, which Foma apparently did, is also illegal. What is wrong with applying from home and getting a proper visa by invitation from the school? Do some research, including web searches for language schools in StP in Russian as well as in English (also use the directory I suggested). Make sure you've got a cv/resume sorted out and try to get access to good internet so the school can interview you effectively.

[Foma87]

"The authorities" are the last thing you should worry about and I don't see how Cole (who's most likely on a visa through a school - a source of constant disinformation) would know whether or not they've "tightened up" on this sort of thing, either. In fact, the visa regime between America and Russia has recently become much simpler, Magnitsky notwithstanding. I am NOT a visa expert, but many foreigners have received TRPs for work, as well, it's just a long, difficult process.
But I wouldn't argue that finding a school sponsor (for visa) beforehand is probably the best way to go about it. It just sounds as though Al tried that without much luck and was looking for an alternative course, which indeed exists: see my above post.
If you'd like details, feel free to PM me. For questions regarding the Russian authorities and the legal status of foreign expatriates, refer to Mr Davis, J.D., who is apparently an expert on such matters.

[coledavis]

You are knowingly encouraging people to break the law. My visa expertise, such as it is, comes from reading the rules and following them. I have been visiting Russia for years now, using different visas for different purposes. For the purposes of working, getting an invitation from an employer is the correct (read legal) way to do this and I do not understand your reference to constant disinformation.

Historically, teachers used business visas. However, the authorities - who you do need to worry about, as they can fine you and the school and can make sure you never return to Russia - have made it explicit that business visas are not for employment.

[Sashadroogie]

Cole does know a thing or two, about a range of subjects related to Russia. He does not disseminate disinformation.

In any case, arriving on just a business visa until you find a work visa sponsor may well result in an expensive trip home to have a proper visa processed.

[Foma87]

I meant schools (schools -- a constant source of disinformation), not you Cole. I don't disagree with anything you say, except that going on a business visa is not an option. Nor am I recommending anyone break the law

[Foma87]

I also find your strict compliance with Russian law noble

[coledavis]

Ok, compromise point: Some people do get to teach using, ahem, slightly unconventional bureaucratic methods. You have alerted people to the possibility. They must now decide on whether or not they wish to follow such a route knowing that it is not strictly legitimate.

Some schools talk nonsense - usually about the legitimacy of the business visa for their purposes - but I know others who follow the rules strictly and, whatever their other peculiarities, do not mislead people about the law. Both of the teaching jobs I had in Siberia were based on proper invites.

I now manage a school. When we were setting the school up, I travelled on a business visa - cos I was on business, innit - and now I am on an employment visa as a manager. I am not allowed to teach and I do get visits from officials trying to find out if I happen to be teaching. They have been tipped off, erroneously, by a rival school. In case you are wondering where this is leading, my point is that you might get away with it or, if there is some local politicking afoot, you might be caught in the crossfire. If you're legit, it won't matter..

[Alrichar]

Honestly, I think we would rather start working for a McSchool if we could, rather than worry about our visas and all of that. We speak acceptable Russian, but the few times I had to deal with bureaucracy myself last time I was there were (unsurprisingly) really difficult.

In your experience, what is the low end, qualification wise, that a big school in Russia accepts? Is it different in St. Petersburg than in Moscow?

[Sashadroogie]

Not sure about St Petersburg, but unless you are unlucky and are dealing with a picky McSchool administrator, you should be able to pick up a full-time position with visa support. In Moscow, that seems to be the case, at least.

Best of luck!