Job Discussion Forums

[yaramaz]

I'm currently here on a spouse visa linked to my husband's work/residence permit. I wasn't intending to get work while we were here (I have freelance writing/research work from the UK) but it looks like we might be staying longer and I wouldn't mind getting back into teaching after being out for 2 years (baby). The thing is, my degree isn't apostilled and I don't have a criminal record check. I asked the Canadian gov't organization about how to do it from abroad and they said you can't.... So, um, yeah.

What can I realistically do from here? I have got the years of experience, BA, CELTA, etc. I can't exactly pop back to Canada to do this. What are my options? I'm in Hanoi.

[skarper]

Many if not most EFL teachers work without any paperwork beyond a tourist visa. Not ideal but that is the reality. Even if you have all your ducks lined up like so many little stormtroopers the vast majority of employers will not do their side of the job. There are exceptions and these are the better places - BC for example. So you could work for any one of the lower to medium level places or work privately [no way to make this legal].

But without a trip back to Canada there is I think nada you can do to be '100% legit'.

[VietCanada]

If you are from Canada then the only thing you need to be concerned with is your criminal background check. If you have been here for six months then you can get that from the local police here in your ward rather than from Canada. Although you can get that done with help from the embassy or consulate if need be.

You'll need to get your degree notarized at the Canadian Embassy or consulate.

You'll need a medical check at a hospital certified to to do that for foreigners.

You don't anything for your CELTA but a letter certifying your grade and the fact you completed the course is a very good idea. This info may be on the cert itself.

Just do a search on-line for VN work permits. If you don't go through these motions you'll end if working at a lower end school for 13-15 per hour. While a better school won't necessarily get you the work permit the pay and conditions will be much better, 18-20 an hour. The best schools will get you a work permit.

Recklessly working illegally could jeopardize your husbands career. Don't play games with this. Do everything you can and go from there.

The advice on these boards is really going downhill. You are not a teenage backpacker, don't follow their advice.

You should also be aware that most work here is teaching children so the CELTA isn't that great. On the other hand schools really like bright female teachers with their children so that's an advantage. They seem to prefer men with adults. But who cares, right?