FAQ: What To Do Upon Arrival

Index
Updated 29 March 2009
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What To Do Upon Arrival
This article has also been featured in the ELT Times. If you're looking for information about what to do before you arrive, go to the Know Before You Go section.

Entering the Country
Each country has different visa rules for different nationalities. While some countries give tourist visas upon arrival, others may require you to get on beforehand. In addition, some countries require round-trip tickets or proof-of-funds before they let you on the plane or into the country. Check with the Embassy beforehand. You don't want to arrive only to have Immigrations refuse you entry.

Length of Stay
Most schools will want you stay for at least six months, though some will accept teachers for shorter terms, such as three months. Remember the longer you stay, the better pay and more benefits you will receive. If you do decide to leave, remember to write a letter 30 days beforehand and have it signed and stamped by the school. Keep one copy of the letter for your record. Visas might be a challenge and you'll probably have to border hop. Some countries allow only 180 days out of the year. Others give you 90 days, and then let you renew your visa for up to three months, and then have you leave the country. Others make you pay a fine if you overstay your visa.

Upon Arrival
Now that you're here, it's time to start interviewing. Wear professional clothes (no shorts, jeans, tank tops, or sandals) and go to the schools you contacted with your CV in hand. After interviewing you may have to do a short demo lesson, but don't worry, relax and smile.

Working on a Tourist Visa
It's not uncommon for people to work on tourist visas. Just don't tell the authorities that you are. If you are working on a tourist visa, you may have to border-hop every once in a while. You simply leave the country, stay in another one for a couple of days, and then re-enter and are given a new tourist visa that's good for X amount of days.

Or, if the country you are in fines people who overstay, you could just overstay your visa and pay the fine as you leave. It might be cheaper than border-hopping.

Getting a Work Visa
Primary and Secondary Schools are more likely to get you a work visa than other places, although universities will do so as well. Check with your employer about what you need to bring. Often you will need to get your original university degree Apostillised in your home country before.

Signing a Contract
Remember that each school is different. Some institutes hire only those with working visas. Others hire teaching on tourist visas. Some will require you sign a contract, some require a working visa, and some are more flexible and just have verbal agreements. If your school uses contracts, then after you've passed your interview and demo lesson, you will be asked to sign. Typical contracts usually include the minimum number of guaranteed hours, amount and frequency of pay, length of service, hours the teachers must be available to teach, whether teachers can teach classes outside of the school, and how the contract can be broken. Make sure you read everything, including the fine print. Some places have "no compete" policies. This varies from school to school and can mean anything from not being able to teach at another school while you work for them, not being able to teach privates, or even not being able to teach in the same city for X months after you finish their contract. So make sure you ask questions about anything you don't understand.

Remember to always ask for a written reference when you leave a job, no matter if it's paid or a volunteer position. Have your employer write when you work, job title, levels worked with, and what your responsibilities were. It should be printed on school letterhead and carry your employer's stamp (if they have one), their signature, their name, job title, school address, phone, and email. Try to get two copies of this. This is the basic info which gives you proof of employment. Even if you leave on bad terms, you should still ask for proof of employment. If you're leaving on good terms and if your employer is willing, they could also say what a great teacher you were. It's better to get this BEFORE you leave your job, because if you ask for a reference in the future, your eomployer might forget all the wonderful things you did and also might be less inclined to write a reference. Whereas if you ask while you're still working for them, you can remind your employer daily until they give you the reference/proof of employment. Then scan this and send it in an email when you apply for your next job.


Housing
Some places will provide housing or assistance in finding housing. If housing is provided, be sure to ask for details, such as is it furnished? single or shared? are utlities covered? If you have your own housing, find out about costs, such as utilities.

Latin American Addresses
Alt. Altura: Near
Atrás Atrás: Behind
Av. Avenida: Avenue
C Calle: Street
CC Comercial Central: Shopping Centre
Cdra. Cuadra: Block
Cl Calle: Street
Cls Calles: Streets
Cnl Colonel: Colonel
Edf. Edificio: Building
En frente En frente: In front of
Entre Entre: Between
Esq Esquina: Corner
Este Este: East
Fco. Francisco: Francisco
La espalda La espalda: Behind
N Numero: Number
Nº Numero: Number
Norte Norte: North
Of Oficina: Office
Ofc Oficina: Office
Oeste Oeste: West
P Piso: Floor
Plza Plaza: Square
Pto Puerta: Door
R Rua: Street (Portuguese)
Sur Sur: South
Urb Urbanizacion: District
Torre Torre: Tower





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