Job Discussion Forums

[Evanzinho]

I recently spent a few months in Quito working on my Spanish, and looked into teaching jobs as well. I checked out a couple of schools and even had an interview at the Wall Street Institute school on Orellana. I didn't end up working there, but my question is, how do you get a work visa? To further expand on this point, WSI had an ad in the clasificados section of El Comercio stating that "visa allowing you to work in Ecuador a must", but the ad didn't say anything about the school getting you the visa.

I also inquired at Berlitz as well, and they said they only hire people with working papers. I'm assuming the smaller, "non-chain" schools will hire you without one, but do all the chains require working papers? And how do you get a work visa?

I'm planning on leaving for Korea soon to spend a year there teaching and saving money, but I'd love to go back to Ecuador afterwards for a year or more and teach there; I really liked the country. But it would be nice to be able to make some money and not have to dip into my savings too much.

Thanks for any info, and sorry for the long-winded post!

[naturegirl321]

Try PMing Justin Trullinger. I think that there's some type of cultural exchange visa that lots of schools yse.

To get a visa, usually the school has to put in a request and then you go to the embassy with the request number and they give you a visa.

If WSI is asking you to have a visa, it's for those who already have work visas, probably with another school or company, or those who are married to Ecuadorians and have residency which in turn allows them to work. Just my guess, because that's what happens here in Peru.

I would say skip WSI and Berlitz and look at other options. Smaller schools are more personalised in my opinion and there's a better chance that you can move up.

I can't remmber where Justin works But you could probably try to get a job there.

[Justin Trullinger]

Hi there- looks like I'm getting a rep as the "Ecuador guy" on this forum. Here's a quick rundown before I have to go do some actual work.


If a school advertises "work papers a must," it means you must already have them. Many schools advertise this, but don't mean it- they're just trying to look legit in the ad. Some do mean it- usually means that to work there, you need to be married to an Ecuadorian, or have some other non-job-related means of getting legal papers.

Some schools will help with a visa- usually using an intercultural exchange arrangement (which is legit, if their school is a recognised intercultural organisation, with the proper "convenios") or sometimes classing you as a volunteer (potentially legit, but often isn't, depending on the kind of teaching you're doing) or a student (which isn't what I'd call legit, but seems to work for some schools, and doesn't cause problems for teachers.)

Good general advice would be to start applying to jobs before you get here, and see what schools are interested, and what they might offer. The big chains aren't always the best employers, so I'd look around further that WSI and Berlitz. (Only the very big chains would advertise in el Comercio for teachers.)


As a teacher here, you should be able to live on your earnings without eating your savings, provided you're not too extravagant.

BEst,

Justin

PS- feel free to send me a PM if you're looking for more specific info...

[Evanzinho]

Thank you for the information, Justin.

I was told that there is something called a 12-X visa, that lets you stay in Ecuador as a tourist for up to 12 months, do you know anything about this? I am interested in figuring out how I can legally stay in Ecuador for a year or so, without having a work visa. Someone told me about a 12-X visa.

Or, let's just say I overstayed my six months allowed, do you have any idea how much a fine would be? I'm thinking maybe it would be less of a hassle just to pay a fine to immigration than going through all the trouble of getting a proper visa.

[john_n_carolina]

....at this moment, i wouldn't fool around with trying to pay overstay fines. the US-Ecuador relations aren't the greatest right now. i'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to put you on a plane. on top of that, you'd feel paranoid every day while walking the streets or taking trips to the Coast. every day, there are military stops where they unload the bus and check all ID's. had it myself many times. even, the last trip in Dec. '07. of course, my wife is Ecuadorian so they kind of look they other way.

when i was single, the only thing that saved me was my perfect Spanish and my constant excuse for no passport was, "It will end up getting stolen on the bus, hostal, beach, etc....or, maybe the thieves will take the WHOLE bus..." which has happened in Ecuador many times.

try getting an Intercultural Visa 12 VII through one of the universities when you are there. or, go through a program like www.worldteach.org, or some other 1 year program.

check www.teachabroad.com