Self Employment to teach English in Budapest

Last activity 08 June 2019 by frombombay

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Dan CoppMember16 September 2017 09:27:33

Hello Everybody,
I am looking for assistance on steps to take in order to obtain a self employment visa here in Budapest.

As a brief introduction, I am a 35 year old American and have been living here in for 5 months. I have been running into trouble with gaining a long term stay visa. My first attempt at getting the work/residency visa has been nothing short of a total disaster. The process seemed simple enough, but the employer messed up the contract and workforce demand paperwork and I had to restart the process 3 times. The upside of this is that I have gotten temporary residency visas with my most recent being valid until November 21st.

I have been staying afloat by working at a couple different Hostels, but unfortunately they are unable to sponsor the visa. Checking with multiple language schools, there is plenty of opportunity and students available to teach as a Native English speaker with a TESOL certificate that I received through UNI-Prep, but in order to begin with them, I must first get a work permit as they too, will not sponsor a visa. For now, I have been applying to the Shared Service Centers with the hope that my English speaking will be needed enough to qualify me as a candidate for some job openings. If that goes well, it will be enough for me to finally get my feet planted and legal to be able to begin teaching.

While the search is ongoing, I have been researching the process of registering for the Residence Permit for the purpose of Gainful Activity.

Have any of you ever gone down this route or known somebody who has a little insight into the process?

From what I can tell, the it should be pretty straight forward, as the steps seem to be laid out in English. Its just a matter of determining which order to complete them. Any advice, contacts or personal experience will be greatly appreciated.

GuestPoster279Guest18 September 2017 07:42:18

214245

Few things, I have found, are as simple as they appear. The fact that you had to restart the visa process three times and that few organizations will issue a work visa are indicators how really complex it can be to get a work visa here for a third country nationals.

And while IANAL, my understanding of the work visa for gainful activity for the self employed needed to start with either first registering a business in Hungary or at least a business plan submitted to immigration. Just having hope that you can find work via a Shared Service Center is not a business plan. But, I have been surprised before by what is accepted here, and as I said, IANAL.

GuestPoster279Guest22 September 2017 09:13:19

214245

I believe that your problem is in not having a permanent home address to obtain a resident and address card. A hostel, hotel is looked upon as a temporary address and possibly eliminates you from getting your official status. You more or less have to prove that you're here for the long haul.
Also, to find other English teaching opportunities, go onto Craigslist Budapest and ask for English speaking jobs. You'll find a few ads looking for English teachers. Chk it out.
Hope this was helpful as I've been there, done that with the proceedings to obtain a Resident Card & Address Card. With these official documents in hand, your possibilities are much better.
Good luck in your search and if I can help further, please ask.

GuestPoster279Guest22 September 2017 12:24:12

214245

Mailman1942 wrote:
go onto Craigslist Budapest and ask for English speaking jobs. You'll find a few ads looking for English teachers.

The OP is trying to be correct and legal by getting a work visa. Jobs at Craigslist may be legit, or black market. Either way, they do not address in any way the need to get the appropriate work visa.

Dan CoppMember22 September 2017 13:00:33

Yes, I am trying to go the legal route in order to get a visa. As an American citizen, I have to have a work visa in order to conduct any business here. I do know there is a large black market for work, and getting private students is not the issue. Finding a school that will sponsor the visa is, and that is what i am searching for now. I do have a place of accommodation that is valid for getting residency and I also have all the correct paperwork that is needed to apply.

After more research, I have found that a self employment visa is no longer an option, as it is geared toward an actual brick and mortar business and not a freelance teaching position.

So now I have decided to focus my search only on finding an employer that will sponsor the work visa that i need to obtain. From my own networks, people have suggested the SSC market, and so I have been sending out my CV to them, as well as to other language schools in hopes that with enough perseverance, I will find an employer before my current visa runs out.

Thanks for your input, and I am open to any suggestions and or contacts that you may know in Budapest.

RawleeContributor22 September 2017 13:35:51

154

Why would a school finance a freelancing teacher? The UK is in the EU, they can get any number of english teachers if they wish.

What I am trying to say is that you either commit to a school, and drop the freelancing part, or finance it yourself.

Dan CoppMember22 September 2017 13:45:49

That is what I am trying to accomplish, being hired on by a school.

GuestPoster279Guest22 September 2017 14:04:09

214245

Hey Dan,
Like I suggested in my first response, go onto Craigslist Budapest and chk out, "ENGLISH SPEAKING TEACHING POSITIONS"-
There are about a dozen or so and some are from schools, LOOKING TO HIRE TEACHERS!
Let me know how you did. I'm happy to assist!

Mailman42

GuestPoster279Guest24 September 2017 17:13:42

214245

You sent me a message today that you liked my post. What's that all about?

Om MuhammadActive member12 November 2017 23:16:50

#10

That's gr8 to hear that there r jobs for English teachers!

LinzeeActive member26 December 2017 03:34:53

#11

@ mailman... where is this Craigslist Budapest?

SimCityATExpert26 December 2017 08:52:22

#12

11266

Linzee wrote:
@ mailman... where is this Craigslist Budapest?

Did you try Google? I did and the result gave this......

https://budapest.craigslist.org/

TZSOLTMember08 May 2019 11:47:13

#13

Just asking if you managed to resolve your visa problem?
If yes, we are seeking native speakers to our language school.
Best,
Zsolt

frombombayActive member08 June 2019 06:22:56

#14

Can i apply for this

frombombayActive member08 June 2019 06:25:20

#15

As per your update freelancing visa is no longer exist in hungary but lot of agencies still promoting this,and assuring they will file application and will get in 3 to 4 months ,they charge consulting fees for this

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