Job Discussion Forums

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

I came into Ecuador with the 12 IX visa. If you want to work in schools you are going to need a RUC or a work visa. They have also changed the law about getting the work visa. I am in the process of trying to get one now by my employer and its been six months and I have been rejected twice for the visa. Now in order to get a work visa you need to have a college degree in the subject that you want to teach.

I have a degree in photography and they want a degree in education, english or pediology. I also have a CELTA and but seems that what they are looking at is just the college degree. So going the work visa route will be hard if you don't have a degree in the above fields. Hope this help. and the 12 IX visa starts from the day you enter the country. I came in july and my visa expired in dec.

latif · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 31 Location: Oakland, California

Oh well, if this is the case, then that will make my stay in Ecuador relatively short ... probably only until the 12 IX visa expires (can the 12IX be extended?)

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

I think that the 12IX can only be applied for once a year.

Well before I started applying for the work visa I managed to get a a volunteer visa and work for a company that way but then you get paid cash and it wasnt that much. I pretty much lived on my saving during that time.

I find out this week if I get the work visa or not.

latif · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 31 Location: Oakland, California

Thanx for the info. and do let us know if you get the work visa. I think that some of what you might be experiencing is a result of President Correa's education reform proposals? I think one of the proposals is that teachers need to have a degree in what they are going to teach.. However, my understanding was that this was for college/university level teaching (he has also proposed that, eventually, anyone wanting to teach at that level would be required to have a Phd).

I do think it would be unfortunate for Ecuador to end up losing international English teachers in this process... perhaps the CELTA/SIT other TESOL folks could help educate the respective ministries and get them recognized as valid certificates for work visas, for english language teaching...

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

I understand his reforms. I think they are good for the education of the country. I taught English teachers here that were teaching for 20 years and they had like very little basic English. The sad part about it is that it does seem to affect native English teachers who want to teach and help. I am not even working in a school or university, am at a language school.

I think your right the English community should inform him about the value of a cert.

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

This means that all the teachers who hold an unrelated B.A./B.S plus a CELTA/SIT/Trinity or comparable cert will no longer be able to qualify for a work visa. Seems as if that would have a serious impact on the Southern Cross CELTA and the EIL SIT course, as well as any other TEFL training programs in Ecuador. Fewer trainees are likely to do their TEFL training in Ecuador if they can't work there aferwards.

latif · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 31 Location: Oakland, California

That may be true, depends on how many of their students stay in Ecuador, or go on to other countries in the region. Also, depends on what % have an unrelated degree? But, in any case, all the more reason for them to get in touch with the ministries, and see if they can sort this out ...

idiggs · Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Posts: 47 Location: Ecuador La Costa

This does not sound good. And if they are going to do this, then I will expect that schools will pay their native English teachers a very good salary. And the natives that are qualified should demand more money.

This law is going to have terrible effect on bilingual schools or schools with english programs. Some schools may be lucky to have 1 or 2 natives teachers at their school. But with this law, a lot of schools are going to lose their native english teachers.

If anything, I think it would have been fair to wait until next year to activate such a law. At least it will give time for people like us to upgrade to a work visa.

I guarantee that this is going to hurt the progression of English for Ecuador.

Can someone provide me some documentation (on the internet..of course) about this new law being effective? I have heard only about proposals but I haven't heard anything about the law being effective.

And count me in....if this is the case...then my stay in Ecuador may be shortened as well.

latif · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 31 Location: Oakland, California

While the proposals might be at the level of proposals for Ecuadorian teachers at schools and universities, I don't think there is anything to prevent the immigration ministries from implementing the rules...

I understand and respect the spirit behind the proposals, however, I also think that those who have an industry recognized cert in English language teaching, CELTA/SIT/Trinity other recognized TESOL, should meet the intent of the proposals of teachers teaching a subject they know something about...

I've not been able to find anything specific on the web on these rules, but maybe the CELTA/SIT folks in Ecuador might have more information?

Two interesting documents that I found on the ministry of education's website:

English reform

http://educacion.gov.ec/_upload/DESCRIPCION_PROYECTO_REFORMA%20CURRICULAR_INGLES.pdf

Education reform (10 year plan)

http://www.educacion.gov.ec/_upload/TenYearEducationPlan.pdf

idiggs · Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Posts: 47 Location: Ecuador La Costa

eevanvleet · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Reno, NV, USA

Some school will offer the intercultural visa, which is for one year, but not really meant for working. Intercultural by all accounts means low pay. I'm applying for the work visa now and it's a pain. The US consulates are good, but things in Ecuador move pretty slowly. You will be in for a struggle to get the work visa. Otherwise stay for six months. In such a small country you can see a lot in six months.

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

Hey guys. I decided to just go back home and 4get the work visa.

From what the lawyer told my boss... the law has always been the law but now they are just enforcing it.

I was having it done in Quito not Guay. I don't think that it will effect the companies that offer TEFL cerrts. I need my CELTA in Ecuador and the majority of my class left to go to different countries or only stayed for 6 months. There is a way to get around needing visas and that is to come in on a 12 IX and then get a factura and a RUC so that you can be a contracted employee.

I feel the hassle isn't worth it and I would rather go home. So I am.

I really hope this doesn't affect learning English in the country.

To the person who ask about the req for the visa. it does state that you need to have a B.A. so I don't think that an Asst. degree will help. I also think that people who do have BA in Edu will most likely not come to Ecuador to teach on less pay then they would make at home.

mels88 · Joined: 26 Dec 2009 Posts: 7 Location: California

latif, I am also applying for the 12-IX visa at the San Francisco consulate. Do you have any advice after going through this process? What did you end up submitting for the "Letter from the company, business, or entrepreneur sponsoring the trip"?

If you're in Ecuador now, let us know how it has worked out for you.

latif · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 31 Location: Oakland, California

Hi Mel, I'll be going through the process probably first week of September ( I expect to go to Ecuador in October, for the November CELTA course).

But when I'd contacted the Ecuador consulate they'd said that if you are traveling as an individual (not sponsored by an employer etc.) then you need your bank statements, health certificate, and the police certificate ...

I'll PM you with my e-mail address, since we're in the same area.

latif · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 31 Location: Oakland, California

I contacted the consulate to get an appointment for the visa application. They asked about the purpose of the visit, I said that I'd be taking a course, and then look for a position as an English language teacher. And this time was told that I'd need something from the employer. I explained that I did not have a job yet, and that I'd be looking for a position after taking the course... so they asked for a letter from the institution where I'd be taking the course.

Also, they wanted to give a visa appointment only two weeks ahead of departure date, but I managed to get an appointment for them to check and see if all my documents were in order (this way if there are any more surprises - hopefully I'll have enough time to sort it out...).

So, we'll see ... it seems that each individual has a different visa experience. I'm now also developing a backup plan Smile