Job Discussion Forums

teacherfromca · Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 47

I am interested to hear from those with experience as a backpacker, funding their trip with short-term gigs. Of course the most important question is in which countries can this endeavor be carried out (working legally) without the need to get the proper visa? Or in which countries is it easy and fast to become a legal worker for short-term jobs, teaching or anything else?

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

You're a couple of decades too late.
The Age of Backpackers in EFL has been over for a while.

Countries tightened up on
1. qualifications necessary to get legal work as a teacher
2. visa requirements

The job market changed: there are many, many more teachers out there now. Just being a cool native speaker won't get anyone an actual job most places these days. Even guitar-playing skills won't help;-)

As an example, consider Western and Central Europe. Visa-wise, a non-EU member citizen can only stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days, before being required to leave and remain out for 90 days (closing the old border run option). Google Schengen zone if you're unfamiliar.

Not an EU member citizen? You're not eligible for a legal work visa for Western European countries. Scratch the region off your list.

It's legal, though a hassle, to get a visa for Central European countries. But no one there is going to give a teacher anything less than a full academic year contract, because it's too much hassle to get them the visa.

On the qualifications/experience issue, the job market in the European region is pretty heavily saturated with teachers. Employers can pick and choose. And they aren't choosing teachers they perceive as unprofessional (read transients). Here, you need a CELTA or equivalent and a professional approach to the job to get a toe in the door.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 6:26 am Post subject:

Don't come to Russia. Visa barriers far too high a hurdle for casual visitors.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Nix backpacking for work ops in the Mid East, North Africa, and most likely, Central Asia as well. (Lest we forget those three American backpackers who were "guests" of the Iranian government for an extended time.) Anyway, too politically unstable in many areas, strict and/or lengthy visa processes, tight visa regs and specific employer preferences, lack of short-term job opportunities, etc. A logistical maze and too many risks for those expecting a very different kind of adventure.

teacherfromca · Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 47

I thought Vietnam and Thailand might be easier for this type of thing.

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

Maybe post in the General Asia forum below, then. Globally, backpacking/teaching is pretty much a dead end these days.

Professional TEFLer · Joined: 09 May 2013 Posts: 77

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Professional TEFLer · Joined: 09 May 2013 Posts: 77

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

You could try Latin America. I doubt that you would make much money. In Central America you could work illegally and no one would care or know (except maybe Panama). I know that you want to work legally, but in a country where no one enforces the law, I don't see why it would matter. For places like Guatemala, I would only start worrying about the laws related to working after the police start investigating homicides. Once they have drawn that "line in the sand" then perhaps they will investigate/enforce other laws as well (although probably not).