Visa confusion

You are missing the fact that most governments won’t admit non-citizens of their country without a return ticket or a ticket out to another country.

You don’t mention which country you are or your nationality?

Regardless, you need to read up on the Required Qualifications to teach English in Vietnam.

They are quite strict, as they should be because of many scams in this field.

The exit or return date will be stamped in your passport. If you get a ticket to another country, you will also need a visa and exit ticket…

I’m not sure why so many people think that teaching English in Vietnam is so easy?

Typically it is not well paid, and you’d probably need to be married to a citizen to share expenses on a teacher’s salary.

Do more research and don’t rely on social media for success stories - the failures aren’t usually talked about

    Apologies if this has been talked about already, but I was doing some research on visas and found some contradicting information. My goal is to move to Vietnam to teach English. I understand that I need a working visa for this, but in order to apply I need confirmation from an employer in Vietnam, which means I have to go there physically first and find a job.I then see the tourist visa would help me with this situation, but in order to get that, I would need proof (in the form of a two-way ticket) that I am leaving at some point, which defeats the purpose as I would only be being a one-way ticket since I want to find a job and live there.What am I missing? Any and all help is appreciated!MG       -@mmgassociates

Hello mmgassociates, and welcome to expat.com.

I'm assuming you are referring to an airline insisting on your having proof of onward travel, as there is no such requirement issued by the Vietnam immigration department. It is not required on the eVisa application form nor will it be at the immigration/customs desk upon arrival.

A recent post by member OceanBeach92107 regarding this issue can be found here. (Link)

Also, if you are not familiar with recent legislation regarding foreign English teachers there is some information on this in post #5 in that linked thread.

Once more, welcome aboard expat.com. Feel free to ask further questions as they arise.

@mmgassociates

I arrived less than two months ago, went thought training got me tefl certiticate, found  a job, just signed for an apartment today.  Having a US passport I was not regarding to have an ongoing ticket, but this is something the airlines may require.  I called to verify (Korean Airways). 

Be sure to get a 3 month visa when you apply.  I'm in the process of getting my working papers, which my school and company is very helpful to make sure things are in order.

I got an Airbnb close to my school for a couple weeks longer than the class, which was a bit too short because I had to move rooms and places and now getting ready to again, but hopefully this will be for a while (at least a year).

If you have any questions, check with your school.

You are missing the fact that most governments won’t admit non-citizens of their country without a return ticket or a ticket out to another country.

Not applicable to Vietnam when entering on an eVisa. No proof of "onward travel" is required.

You don’t mention which country you are or your nationality?

The member's profile (Link) states that they are Czech.

Regardless, you need to read up on the Required Qualifications to teach English in Vietnam. They are quite strict, as they should be because of many scams in this field.

Found here. (Link)

The exit or return date will be stamped in your passport. If you get a ticket to another country, you will also need a visa and exit ticket…

VOA (visa-on-arrival) is available for Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and others. Again, proof of onward travel from these countries is not required. Prior to the expiry of a VN eVisa, a "border run" by bus is a convenient way to extend one's stay. Reentry to Vietnam can be immediate, provided one holds a new eVisa granting entry.

I’m not sure why so many people think that teaching English in Vietnam is so easy?

I believe it is as easy to teach English to an ESL student in Vietnam, as it is to teach English to an ESL student anywhere.

Typically it is not well paid,...

Living in Vietnam on a foreigner's English teacher salary will afford one a comfortable lifestyle. Not an opulent lifestyle, but most certainly a comfortable one.

...and you’d probably need to be married to a citizen to share expenses on a teacher’s salary.

Huh? Why would one "probably(?) need to be married to a citizen" in order to share living expenses?

Do more research and don’t rely on social media for success stories - the failures aren’t usually talked about        -@TaurusTiger

mmgassociates is doing just that, here and now.

@Aidan in HCMC

Yes,  some airlines rules,  because if you are rejected by immigration officials it used to be that Airline had to take you back at their cost because technically you shouldn’t have a ticket without having proper papers or visa to enter destination country. It sounds like this no longer the case?

@Aidan in HCMC

typically not well paid was probably misleading - I was referring to the fact that the hours of paid instruction can vary greatly and to my knowledge teachers aren't paid for holidays? of which there seems to be an extraordinary amount?

My stepson was given a week off for Halloween, two weeks for christmas, and soon off again for Tet holidays - but other students are still in school elsewhere.  My wife thinks teachers are paid for holidays - but open to correction. My friend has been teaching at an accredited school but seems to need to sub to make ends meet and he’s pretty thrifty and his rent is low and he drives an old motorcycle.

I guess there’s no generalising so its difficult to advise work opportunities for potential teachers?

I’m frequently asked to teach, but i do

on a voluntary basis to just help those who really can’t afford formal classes…

@Aidan in HCMC

Awesome thanks so much for the information!

Mg

@TaurusTiger

Well I did the research and I can see that living there is quite cheap, and I have already found ads in my area where they are willing to pay 18-20$ an hour and provide full weeks of work, so it's coming out to 2k-2.5K a month, which is more than comfortable from what I read.

I'd be interested to hear your side as I'm always skeptical of idealism. Do the above numbers check out? (500$ a month for a flat).

MG

Yes,  some airlines rules,  because if you are rejected by immigration officials it used to be that Airline had to take you back at their cost because technically you shouldn’t have a ticket without having proper papers or visa to enter destination country. It sounds like this no longer the case?
        -@TaurusTiger

Still the case, i.e. the airline foots the bill for your return if denied entry at customs/immigration.

There was a thread which touched on this very topic a while back.

One way ticket and TRC (Link)

A few months prior to that post I had written the following.

As an aside, I find it a little overbearing of airlines to request proof of anything other than your valid visa, in light of the fact that the host country has already reviewed and approved your application and already issued your eVisa permitting entry.

...I’m frequently asked to teach, but i do on a voluntary basis to just help those who really can’t afford formal classes…
        -@TaurusTiger

That is quite admirable and I salute you, and others of like mind, for it. Vietnam would do well to have more people acting in that capacity.

That said, I suggest you take a moment to review a couple of pertinent threads/posts on this subject.

Teaching Pro Bono Publico, Pro Gratis, or Privately (one on one) (Link)

Visas To Enter Vietnam (Link)

Also, and although the thread on "Teaching Pro Bono Publico, Pro Gratis, or Privately (one on one) " (Link. good comments there)  was specific to teaching, my thinking is that "volunteering" in any field, in any capacity, would require approval.

Be careful.

I’m not sure why so many people think that teaching English in Vietnam is so easy?
Typically it is not well paid...

    -@TaurusTiger

Getting work teaching English in Vietnam used to be very easy pre-covid although the actual teaching is quite difficult as the students are mostly kids and teenagers from early morning to evening all weekend and evenings during the week. If you're in HCMC or Hanoi, the commutes are brutal, especially during the rainy season.

Unless they've changed the system, the pay is an hourly rate based on classroom time with no paid holidays or other benefits. Schools, which are businesses, used to always use the phrase "you can maximize your hours".

Of course, teachers were happy to do that for about 8 or 9 months and then take off the rest of the year. I'm not sure if that is still possible and how teachers are compensated during the low season these days.

Well I did the research and I can see that living there is quite cheap, and I have already found ads in my area where they are willing to pay 18-20$ an hour and provide full weeks of work, so it's coming out to 2k-2.5K a month, which is more than comfortable from what I read.

A couple of years back, in Saigon, I was offered (unsolicited) a teaching position at a reputable language centre. I declined, having neither the inclination nor the aptitude to teach (English language).

25hrs/week, @ $20USD/hr, net of taxes (deducted at source by the employer), payed bi-weekly ($1000USD). This was in line with what many of the expat teachers I knew back then were receiving. I'm sorry I can't give you any UTD info on the current pay scale or availability of positions. My guess? The dearth of English teachers here suggests to me that positions exist, and that the pay has not been negatively impacted.

I'd be interested to hear your side as I'm always skeptical of idealism. Do the above numbers check out? (500$ a month for a flat).MG        -@mmgassociates

$500USD converts to ~12 million VND. You could easily find a comfortable apartment (or house) for that amount, provided you,

1) don't mind living outside of/away from expat bubbles,

2) recruit a local to help you in your search, having them make the calls and establish the rent prior to you showing up for a viewing, and

3) avoid any and all units advertised in English.

There was a thread a short while back, which you might be interested in reading, on the cost of living, here. (Link)

Hope this helps.

@Aidan in HCMC

5 million will get you 1 bedroom or studio - high tech fingerprint access plus swimming pools, cheap secure motorcycle parking and 24 hr security,  and definitely inside ex-pat bubble -  too many new English schools to mention in Vinhomes, or 30 minute ride to others.

Search Grandpark Vinhomes and links therefrom.

Free transport to Vincom centres and D1 - new electric buses under an hour on GRP3 new service. Too many cafes and grocery shops to mention - at least 30 of each within 20 minutes walking radius… Mega mart opening soon, night market running, hospital being built, at least 40 pharmacies and hospital 2 km away

    @Aidan in HCMC5 million will get you 1 bedroom or studio - high tech fingerprint access plus swimming pools, cheap secure motorcycle parking and 24 hr security,  and definitely inside ex-pat bubble -  too many new English schools to mention in Vinhomes, or 30 minute ride to others.    -@TaurusTiger

This would seem to contradict your previous comment (#2) that ESL teaching was not well paid.  I can't imagine any teacher paying that much rent unless they were subsidizing their lifestyle with funds from their home country.

    @Aidan in HCMC
5 million will get you 1 bedroom or studio - high tech fingerprint access plus swimming pools, cheap secure motorcycle parking and 24 hr security,  and definitely inside ex-pat bubble -  too many new English schools to mention in Vinhomes, or 30 minute ride to others.
Search Grandpark Vinhomes and links therefrom...
      -@TaurusTiger

For $200 US a month? Got a link? That would certainly be worth viewing.

For $200 US a month? Got a link? That would certainly be worth viewing.
   

    -@Aidan in HCMC

You are correct.   I must have typed 55 million by mistake.    Either way it sounds like the math is unrealistic.