Visa Knowhows to Teach English Abroad
A visa may be defined in simple terms as a document – often like a stamp in a passport – that is issued by a government to authorize foreign citizens for entering the respective country for work, education, tourism, or residential purposes. Most of the times, a visa is provided to those looking to teach English abroad, but this is not always the case. Several types of visas exist with each government having its own policies and defining the ability of foreign citizens to enter the country for any of the reasons mentioned above. Having a clear understanding of the type of visa required for foreign travel is very important.
The respective consulates or embassies of every country are usually the best places to get more information about the visa requirements. Embassy websites also have plenty of information as far as these visa requirements are concerned.
Sometimes, the process could be as simple as presenting your passport for stamping after you reach a foreign airport. Other times, visa processes tend to be lengthy and complex with a variety of documentation required to be processed in advance as far as your individual identity and purpose of visit to the country is concerned.
While a visa is typically required for entering a foreign country, exceptions do exist with the European Union perhaps the most notable of all. Better known as the EU, this is an economic and political union of European nations where citizens can freely travel, take up residence, and work without the need for a visa or even a passport.
Tourist visas
When a person enters a country for visiting as a tourist or as a guest without any intention of establishing residency or working there, he is issued a tourist visa. Often, tourist visa limitations of no more than 90 days come into effect, varying across countries and individual citizenships. A tourist visa is not a legal permit for working or long-term residence.
It has often been found that several Americans enter countries such as Italy, Spain, or one of the Latin American nations using a tourist visa and stay back to teach English. Though illegal, the process has become so common that it is rare to find anyone getting pulled up for this practice of teaching English “under the table”. Other countries such as Greece, Germany, and France do not hire teachers without a work visa, making it very important to know what works where.
Many South American countries offer a 90-day period of legal residence to tourist after which they cross over to a neighboring country for another 90-day period of residence before returning to the previous nation. This is a common practice by which one can legally stay in South America.
Work Visas
Most countries have legal requirements stating that foreigners who come to work in that country will receive a work permit or visa with which they will be legally allowed to work. Requirements and procedures typically vary from one country to another but mostly it is a case of employers providing an offer of employment before sponsoring the work visas themselves. There are different processes, quotas, and requirements for work visas in different countries as well.
Student Visas
When it comes to student visas, most people think it has something to do with a “Study Abroad” program at a foreign university for a period of around couple of semesters. Short-term study opportunities not exceeding 90 days do not require a student visa. There are certain countries such as Spain, France, and Italy where Americans and other non-EU passport holders can find it very difficult to land a job. However, having a student visa for these locations comes with legal working privileges running up to 20 hours every week. So, if an American wants to teach English in any of these nations, a student visa will help him do so.
Working Holiday Visas
Bilateral agreements exist between certain countries allowing citizens of a certain age to obtain a special type of visa with which they can work and travel in a country for a maximum of a year at a time. The US has very few agreements of such working holidays with other countries, Australia being an exception, making this a not-so-realistic option for those wanting to teach English in one of the other continents. New Zealand, Australia, and Canada on the other hand enjoy multiple such agreements with nations around the world.
Conclusion
With the world of employment changing and developing rapidly in recent times, several other visa forms such as dependent visas have come into the picture. Understanding the options and limitations of every citizen for teaching English in a foreign country is a very important step. Speaking to an advisor helps clear up doubts and puts better focus on the possibilities that can be considered.
