Job Discussion Forums

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Was just wondering how the now 2-year old updated visa law (effectively canceling out the every-3-month border run possibility) affected the quantity of ESL teachers in Istanbul. Did the border guards adhere to the rules or not? Thanks.

Luxe · Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Posts: 43

According to all information I've seen regarding the new visa rules from April 2014, responsibility for issuing residence permits will be removed from the local police and transferred to the Interior Ministry, which is apparently finally going to enforce the bank statement requirement.

If the border runs didn't reduce the number of foreigners teaching at language schools, this new requirement surely will. Certainly, $3,600 isn't much to show in an account, but I'd wager a good deal of fresh-out of uni teachers will struggle to prove sufficient funds.

That could work in favor of the ESL industry, though, by making native-speakers are a bit more difficult to come by (relatively), which could drive wages up a bit. In theory, of course. We'll have to see.

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Thanks for the reply. Actually, all one would have to do is transfer the amount from a credit card into a bank account, open an account here and transfer it here, get a print out and then reverse the charges. THey'd lose a bit of money, but still quite do-able. I was also told by a teacher this week that they're school did it for them.