Job Discussion Forums

[minanor]

So I'm doing the CELTA program in July and I'm not really sure what I need in terms of Visa, my diploma, background check for when I start teaching.

I'm currently applying for a three month visa for multiple visits (since I suppose I need that to travel to Thailand if I choose to do so.) However, I'm not sure what else I need to bring with me in terms of my College Diploma, my Passport, a background check.....

Has anyone traveled from Vietnam to China? specifically Hong Kong and Shenzen. How difficult is it to cross the border? What do I need to do so?

How long does the Visa process typically take if I'm applying in DC?

Also, how does one go about buying and obtaining a license for a motorcycle in Vietnam?

[bingmayong]

With regards to traveling to China...

It's you can get a flight from here to Hong Kong and you don't need to get a visa in advance. Going to to Shenzen is much more difficult as getting a visa for China can be a nightmare. It's best to fly into Hong Kong where an agent can get you a Chinese visa very quickly and easily.

If you want to cross a land border, you will again need a visa and it will take ages.

If I were you, I would fly to Hong Kong, and get a visa there, then you can go over the border into Shenzen.

[LettersAthruZ]

In Vietnam - too much documentation is NOT ENOUGH....bring everything and make sure that they are originals!!

As stated above - Hong Kong is not really an issue. Mainland China, however, needs a visa. EASY to do in The States, ESPECIALLY if you can go to the Chinese Embassy in person (as opposed to having to have to hire a proxy to stand-in at the Embassy for you). Takes about a week....


OR, easier yet, once IN Vietnam, ask Tay (foreigners) who have been in Ha Noi or HCMC forra while about a TRUSTED travel agent. Obtain the visa thru that travel agent (takes about a week).

Regarding the motorbike - you can easily buy 'em used on The Street, but you CANNOT LEGALLY REGISTER IT IN YOUR NAME, so they'll sell you a bike and give you a "Blue Card" (title, if you will) with the name of "Nguyen ______ _______" (or Tran ______ ______ or something like that) on it. Do not panic.....this is just how it's done. I've owned my scooter for over two years now and it has some lady whom I've never met's name on it......

YOU CAN buy new, but you must show RESIDENT PERMIT / WORK PERMIT papers to register it in your name, then they'll issue you "NN" plates (which can be either a curse or a blessing, depending on who you ask) which stick out like a sore thumb - "Foreigner RIGHT HERE"!

IF you show the same work permit/residence permit paperwork, you can also get a Vietnamese Driver's license.....


.......

.......


.....but WHY bother?

[LettersAthruZ]

OH!! And P.S. -

YOU CANNOT OBTAIN A CHINESE VISA EITHER UPON ARRIVAL AT AN AIRPORT OR AT LAND BORDERS.......

...this is critical to remember!