Visas & Work Permits

Visas and work permits can be one of the biggest headaches of an overseas teaching experience. You will need these official documents to find legal employment while you are overseas (see the note on “Working Without a Visa or Work Permit” below). Obtaining these documents can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience, so planning ahead and getting all of the facts will make your life much easier.

Employer Sponsorship
The exact process and requirements for obtaining working papers vary depending on your citizenship and the country in which you will be employed. In general, you need to have an employer in the country that is willing to sponsor your visa and work permit application. In some countries (usually those with higher demand for teachers), it is common for employers to begin arranging your application for you as soon as you have signed the contract. In more competitive TESOL job markets, on the other hand, you may need to work for an employer for a while before they will consider sponsoring you.

The time and effort needed for the application also varies by country. Bureaucratic processes are seldom fast, however, and you should plan on waiting weeks or even months before you have received all of the proper documentation. In most cases, you must be in your home country to finalize the application process. You might be able to do this before you leave, or you may need to plan a brief trip home to get everything in order.

Other Options
If you have not signed a contract and arranged for working papers before you head to the country, you will most likely be entering on a tourist visa. These are typically valid for around 90 days, but do not allow you to work legally. Usually, you can renew a tourist visa by leaving the country for a few days and then reentering.

Some teachers obtain student visas by enrolling in a school or institute in the city where they wish to teach because in many countries, a student visa will allow you to work part-time during your studies.

Employment Regulations in Western Europe
Visa and work permit issues are a big issue in Western Europe. British and Irish nationals possess EU citizenship, which means that they can automatically work legally in most of Western Europe. Americans and Canadians, on the other hand, must obtain a visa and work permit. This discrepancy impacts the ability of non-EU citizens to find employers willing to sponsor their applications.

In Asia and other TESOL job markets with a high demand for teachers, visa and work permit issues are of less importance. TESOL certified teachers can normally find a school to sponsor their visa and work permit application with little trouble.

For more specific visa and work permit information, contact the country’s consulate in your home country or your nation’s department of state.

A Note on Working Without a Visa or Work Permit
In a number of countries, working without a visa or work permit (i.e. working illegally) is an option chosen by many teachers. However, you will generally not receive the same job security, benefits, or pay as your legal colleagues. You should also investigate the legal penalties you could incur if you choose to work without papers. Some countries have stiff legal penalties for illegal workers, while others rarely enforce work permit requirements.