Job Discussion Forums

Blade · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 44

I don't want to start fanning any flames but at the fairly large language school I work at two, energetic and apparently qualified applicants (I talked with them and the director - separately) were not allowed to work at my school because they could not prove their B.A. degree was 'genuine.'

Is it because my school is afraid of a visit by the authorities, or was it because of another reason I don't know.

People coming here should have their original degree notarized AND transcripts to make any job offer more possible.

I don't know if this is becoming the norm, or if it is just one of these temporary things.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Interesting.

I drop by here now and then to read what's happening in VietNam - and I've been following the recent spate of threads relating to the apparent "crackdown" that is underway - criminal record checks, proving one's degree is real, the threat of immigration raids on schools, etc, etc.

If you'll recall, Thailand (where I am now) went through a very similar episode quite recently.

According to government officials at that time, there were simply too many unqualified "backpackers" taking up residence, using forged degrees to obtain Work Permits, and generally taking advantage of Thailand's lax immigration laws.

The result? The Thai government cracked down; made it more difficult to obtain Non-B Visas & Work Permits, shut down the visa agencies altogether, and then instituted ridiculous financial requirements that, if followed to the letter, make it virtually impossible for a typical TEFL teacher to work 100% legally.

I hope I'm wrong, but this looks like the start of a disturbing trend. Embarassed

What's next? retinal scans and lie-detector tests? Laughing

Ajarn Miguk · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 227 Location: TDY As Assigned

Kent F. Kruhoeffer wrote:

"The result? The Thai government cracked down; made it more difficult to obtain Non-B Visas & Work Permits, shut down the visa agencies altogether, and then instituted ridiculous financial requirements that, if followed to the letter, make it virtually impossible for a typical TEFL teacher to work 100% legally."

Actually, if all your documents are in order, legitimate and your school is legally licensed, it is not that difficult to obtain a Non-Im B visa and Work Permit in Thailand. It may be more difficult than before, but a lot of Thailand teachers are able "to work 100% legally" with little or no hassles.

As for the "financial requirements" part, exactly what are you referring to?

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Sawatdee Ajarn Miguk:

I was referring to the new minimum salary requirements for people who want a one-year visa. (which means no border-run every 3 months) There's a current discussion on this topic at Thai-Visa.com:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=34038

Ajarn Miguk wrote:

" ... a lot of Thailand teachers are able "to work 100% legally" with little or no hassles."

Well, maybe. Depends on what you mean by "a lot". Mr. Green

I've been here for a year and a half, and during that time I've met roughly 2 dozen expat TEFL teachers.

Out of that 2 dozen, only one had a Work Permit.

The others had Non-Bs (but no WP) or were working on tourist visas, or worse, were on overstay. Twisted Evil

I rest my case. Wink

Frankly, I think the Thai government went overboard.

By making people jump through hoops to be legal, they're just screwing themselves out of tax revenue.

Ajarn Miguk · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 227 Location: TDY As Assigned

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Hi Ajarn:

Popular opinion has it that roughly 50% of TEFL teachers in Thailand are working without a Work Permit; that may even be optimistic, depending who you ask.

The reasons 'why' are many, as you correctly stated. In my case it has nothing to do with proper credentials. My employer is simply not entitled to issue any more work permits; a direct result of another silly government regulation requiring 2 million Baht in capitalization and 4 Thai employees per one work permit.

Regarding my comment on tax revenue: My point was this: if the WP process were easier, more people would comply, and tax revenue would increase dramatically.

Of course I respect your opinion! This is a tough nut to crack.

Perhaps I should also mention that I've taught in Japan, Korea & Germany and NEVER had an ounce of trouble getting a legal work permit.

Only in Thailand.

On that note, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Wink

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

H5N1 · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 80

Hari Seldon · Joined: 27 Nov 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Incheon

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Snaff · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 142

edited at request of a couple posters.

Mr Wind-up Bird · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 196

The work permit requirements have nothing to do with making life difficult for teachers, and everything to do with making sure students are taught by qualified, certified teachers. If you have a problem with that then maybe you're in the wrong job.

Murzel · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 10

At an interview I was recently told that my CV wasn't a resume (!)... and that the government would require it to be sent back to the UK for 'verification'. That meant it had to be scanned, signed by someone in the UK - anyone, even a family member, then sent back. When I asked what this would all accomplish he couldn't seem to answer my question.

My documents are all fine except I have only recently completed the CELTA and I only have the report as the certificate takes 6 weeks. This seems to be confusing some schools, and many seem mesmerised by the certificates I do have. There certainly seems like some sort of crackdown going on to me.

Duong Minh foreign language school was the one who didn't know what a CV is. The assistant principle had a dead common insect, or cockroach, under his desk incidentally. Only for the desperate perhaps.

Blade · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 44

Ajarn Miguk · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 227 Location: TDY As Assigned

Blade wrote:

"I haven't heard of this above, but to get a work permit you Directors are being told to have degree "notarized," and this will have to be done by getting your degree and transcripts mailed or by having your university send transcripts perhaps."

My impression is that no one has a clue as to what is really needed or not needed or even what is meant when requiring what is supposedly being required. Once the perhaps in the above comment becomes more than just perhaps, then people will be in a better position to seriously address the question of employment as an ESL teacher in Vietnam.

In the interim, it's mass confusion and energy and money expended only to have to repeat something again and again.

Seems to me that some people need to get their act together.

Until they do, there are other places where one can teach that present far fewer hassles.