Job Discussion Forums

kerohaha · Joined: 27 Jul 2003 Posts: 26 Location: hongkong

I'm not from an EU country but I hold a passport that allows me a 2 or 3-month visa-free stay/entry to MANY countries in Europe (imagine it to ALL countries for my following questions). If I have already got a job offer, what are the usual steps of getting a work visa IF:

(1)

IF the school is in a EU country?

(2) Question

IF the school is in a non-EU country?

In both cases, do/should employers usually help the overseas applicant (i.e. me) get some sort of document to show to the customs? (Is the contract the ONLY work document I will get before arrival?) Or do employers usually just help the teachers AFTER they've arrived at the school (i.e. the teacher has to enter using a tourist visa which will be later changed to work visa?)

(3)

My THIRD question: Will people at the customs check not allow me into the country if I only have a ONE-WAY plane ticket and can't provide any employment document?

I have never been to an EU country. Any detailed explanation will be appreciated!

Thank you very much. Smile

Carol

Rhialto · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 9

You haven't said whgat your country actually is. And you are asking about 20 or so different countries, each of which will have slightly different procedures. I don't think yo could have made yo8ur question much vaguer. Be more specific if you want a helpful answer that will contain useable information.

The EU is not monolithic. Neither is the "not-EU".

In practical terms, your best bet is to ask at the embassy of the relevant country.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Some countries, both non-EU and EU allow people to enter with one way tickets. If you are a USA citizen, go to travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html

I entered China with a one way ticket and a six month visa, no questions, were asked.

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

You seem to be mistaking an entry visa and a work permit.
They are two different documents.

There are 15 EU countries at the moment and they each have slightly different rules and regulations. As of May 2004 ther will be another 10 EU countries.
BUT
You cannot obtain a work permit when you are in the country.

You can only obtain a work permit when you are in your own country.
So generally you come across to EU country "A"
Find a job
Go home to your own country
Obtain a work permit from the country "A" Embassy in your own country.

Go back to country "A" and start working.

Simple isn't it ?

kerohaha · Joined: 27 Jul 2003 Posts: 26 Location: hongkong

Thank you for all the information

Lucy Snow · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 218 Location: US

Here was my situation.

My husband and I applied for jobs in Poland. We were accepted and the school sent us formal Letters of Intent along with contracts. Once we returned the signed contracts, along with scans of our passports and diplomas, the school went to the local government and applied for our work permits.

We received the work permits last week. My husband flew to the US today to get our work visas--which we couldn't get without the work permits. And we couldn't get the work permits without a solid job offer.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Here's something for Romania.
http://www.sol.org.uk

I too am interested in teaching over there. Please, Let me know if you find any other information about it. BTW, Romania's not joining in 2005

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan