Job Discussion Forums

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

hi there, i was wondering what the latest talk is about all the new regs regarding work visas/work permits for NON EU teachers since PL joined the Schengen Zone.

The Czech forum hs lots of good info, but its pertaining to CZ Rep.

How tightly are the PL officials clamping down on NON EU teachers??

How difficult/long was it getting a work visa from the PL Embassy in your country?? Did they disect your application?

thanks
TNG

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

I came to Poland in Dec of '06 to teach on a tourist visa (i.e. a stamp at the Gdansk airport). My school then helped me in obtaining a residency card and working visa.

Everything went pretty smoothly, although the process took a long time. I didnt get my residency card until May of '07.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

2008/2009 is different from 2006, I think - lots of changes in the laws of affected countries... I think tng is seeking this year's info.

I'm curious myself how it's going in Poland, though since the teaching year starts in September, I think it's going to be a few months before we have any real stories from non-EU newbies telling us how it went in actuality.

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

Yeah, I'm curious too. I've been here for a year and have a residency card which I'll start to renew next month. When I came here last year it was to do the CELTA in Warsaw and when I found a job in Gdansk I had just a little over 45 days left on my tourist visa and since you have to have 45+ days left when you apply for a card, my school advised me to make a border run to get another 90 days of grace. Good advice.

But those days are gone now and I don't know what non EU citizens who come here for the CELTA and then start job hunting will do.

BTW, Master Shake, I've still got your Absinthe card. You can have it back when you return to Poland!

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

I was teaching in PL during 2006- 2007. I was going to Germany for a daytrip every 85 days or so. I got my stamps showing out and in to PL.

I was never questioned until Nov 07. I was told i will have problems trying to do this again after Dec 21 when Schengen came into effect.

I've been out of PL since early December 07 and am waiting for a work offer to be completed from a new school.

Now with tougher regs, I wonder how screwed i will be with my 2007 in/outs. I have nothing to hide as the stamps are in my passport.

I wonder how much the PL embassy in my country will disect my past history when i apply for a work visa.

Any thoughts on this??

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

What country are you in? Regardless, you shouldn't have any problem as what you did was legal under pre Schengen laws.

I suggest asking your school if they'll help with this. Master Shake and I taught at the same school and their support was great. I think that's even more important these days.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I agree - the stamps showing border runs in your passport are ok, because that was a legal way to do it at the time. In fact, it proves that your intention was to stay legal!

Will be interested in how things go this year, though.

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

Ok, things are getting more confusing for my situation. I've been talking with my school.

It's not a public school, but a private language only school. No govt accreditations.

They suggest that I get a job in a public school- to have ZUS and other stuff done. But I need to have a certificate in teaching English. I only have my TESOL certs and License no BA or other. Then they could ask for permission to employ me as well.

They are not sure if I can be registered as a sole proprietor when I don�t have Polish citizenship.

What does anyone know about sp�łka komandytowa? Is that a sole proprietor business?

According to the regulations my future bosses have found, they need a special permission as they are not a private school working on the basis of Education System Act or something like that.

I've been in contact with the PL Embassy here in Canada, and have received info on the forms my employer would need to complete.

But the school says that those forms are no good.

I'm sure I'm not the only non-EU teacher to deal with this.

There is too much he said/she said between the school, the PL Embassy, the PL Govt.. It seems that no one is on the same page.

Thanks

Richfilth · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Warszawa

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

well.... i filled out the Schengen Visa application, got the work offer faxed to the embassy, supplied all documents and fulfilled all requirements, and got my visa in 5 business days.

I'm very happy!!!!

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

1)....how long is the visa and is it tied to the original school you were talking about?

2) did they ask any more questions about you lacking the K-12 or 9-12 B.A. English Education certificates?

thanks, any info appreciated --

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

the visa is as long as you want it, to a maximum of 1 year. I think mine is 368 days. Also choose "multiple entry". There is no mention of my school on the visa, but it is all tied together in the eyes of the Gov'ts.

nothing asked by the PL Embassy about my credentials or anything. The school has my TESOL certificates.

chromium · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 69 Location: Dalian, China

Hey new guy,

What your school is suggesting to you (working for a state school, sole proprietorship, etc) is utterly ridiculous. I've been in Poland 4 years now and just last Friday started to process to renew my visa for another year.

I would seriously reconsider the school you are working for. My school takes care of and pays for everything about getting the visa. There is A LOT of paperwork to take care of. It would be virtually impossible to get this done without the help of the school. At least for me - others may disagree, but it really is a pain in the ass and it takes forever. But, I have noticed no chances in the last 3 years as far as them being more restrictive. But, your school should take of all that, and if they don't, I would seriously talk to other schools that do.

Hope this helps

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

my inital visa from the PL embassy in Canada was a whole whopping $89. nearly broke my bank.

i dont work for a state run school, but a private school.

how much is it to renew your visa here IN PL before/after the first year runs out?

I'm just using the teaching as a means to get a retail business started here in PL.

chromium · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 69 Location: Dalian, China

I cannot tell from your connotation if $89 Canadian was a lot, and Scottie1113 can give you more accurate info if mine is not, but I think it's around 800 zl for the whole process of non-EU citizens to renew or obtain a Polish visa for a year. Like I said, my school pays for that, so I'm not sure of the exact number.

However, if you are planning to set up your own business, that it out of my scope. I'm just stating from my experience what it costs for non-EU citizens to work for a private language school to teach English for a 1 yr visa to legally work in Poland.