Job Discussion Forums

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

https://pro-linkglobal.com/vietnam-new-immigration-law-to-be-implemented-on-january-1-2015-introduces-20-new-visa-categories/

I realize this has been known since August, but they will be coming into effect very soon. The biggest problem is as follows:

"it is expected from January 2015 onwards it will no longer be possible to enter Vietnam on non-work status with the purpose of filing a work permit, and remaining in-country once issued.

Rather, the employee should first apply for a work permit and, upon its issuance, obtain the appropriate visa to enter the country. This process can take 1 to 2 weeks from date of application at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Immigration Department by the sponsoring entity in Vietnam."

half moon · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 49

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

YES the "powers that be" want to ensure your continued misery as a QUALIFIED EFL teacher so YOU can have the privilege of teaching there and earning the minimum amount of money possible with the most stringent work permit rules attached. This is because Vietnam is saturated with EFL teachers looking for work!!! Shocked

mark_in_saigon · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 837

We are certainly saturated with people trying to teach, including a significant number of folks who are not native speakers of English as well as nominal native speakers. Certainly, they hold wages down at the low end, and the overhang of people attempting to teach does pressure the high end wages as well. However, I would just posit, no matter how much a school pays, a truly first rate teacher is not easy to find. Then the bigger schools reject based on age or appearance (or independent thinking), turning their backs on some of the best. I rather think most of the very best ones get disgusted and leave.

neuroflow · Joined: 09 Jan 2015 Posts: 4

Is it still possible to look for a teaching job after arriving in Vietnam or does the new visa policy make it necessary to have a job offer before arriving?

What kind of visa would I need to get in order to look for a job after arriving?

EFL4Life · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 25

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RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

That's where I'm at. My visa/entry permission is still valid til November this year but I'm going to be living elsewhere by then. Suck that I wouldn't be able to waltz in like last time.

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

So far from what I've seen... nothing has really changed. They're still issuing WP from inside the country. They may have amended the law before it came into effect.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:25 pm Post subject:

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

As new work and visa rules take effect throughout ASEAN toward the end of this year you will notice a major change in the teaching of EFL..more and more ASEAN non-native English teachers and fewer and fewer native English speakers teaching English. The trend of course will be on lower wages for ALL....and you will find that Filipinos will take over the EFL market. This is already happening in nearby Thailand. Laos and in Malaysia. Call it what you want....but this is the new world order for EFL in ASEAN! Shocked

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

cb400 · Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 274 Location: Vientiane, Laos

I saw a lot more filipinos teaching in HCMC in the last few years. I wonder what the future will hold. The whole ESL industry in Asia seems on a downward spiral.

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

The reason you see a lot of filipinos (mostly filipinas) non-native English speakers teaching EFL in Vietnam and throughout ASEAN is that that are receiving less than half of the hourly pay that native English speakers get (between $7 -$10/Hour in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) with little or no other benefits given. They are also willing to work longer hours...I have been told,,,so they can keep their jobs...and also recruit more of their countrymen/women for job openings in the TEFL area.. Using a crystal ball is not necessary...just look around and you will see the dramatic changes this year in ASEAN! Shocked

adaruby · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 3:58 am Post subject:

skarper · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 477

A few Filipinos may work their way into the market but will have modest impact on the pay/conditions of teachers. Standards, skill levels and pay/conditions are already falling and I don't blame Filipinos. I blame the government for poor and easily evaded regulations and I blame the school owners for only caring about profits. Old song I know.

It would be stupidly easy to design regulations that would improve the industry but no-one in power to do this is interested.