The International Schools Review Forum

You're flat wrong about Vietnam's visa requirements. And the Foreign Expert Certificate is for China, not Vietnam. Anyway I live here and just went through the visa process. You must have a bachelor's degree and a TESOL certificate with observed hours. There are people who teach illegally without either, yes, but we're talking about the work permit and visa.

Frankly given how much you post here with an air of authority I'd be curious to hear your qualifications. Of what you've said that I know about, you're wrong, of what I don't know about, I have no idea but am starting to assume you don't have any factual information generally.

@cms989

I am aware that China called its professional work permit a foreign experts license since you addressed it in your prior post I saw no reason to reiterate.

No it is not wrong, You are again confusing work authorization (permit) with a visa. I know a number of teachers teaching ESOL in Vietnam without a TESOL certificate. They have visas, its what allows them to stay int he country. The have bachelors degrees and are native speakers and they have a specialist work permit, yet no TESOL certificate.

They are working on a tourist visa. It is possible they are working on a 'specialist' visa, a DN, but they would still be working illegally as you are only allowed in on a DN to apply for a work permit. They are not teaching legally in Vietnam.

@cms989

You are confusing a visa with a work authorization permit. Vietnam has some 20 visa categories, these are VISA categories not types of work permits. They are not on tourist (DL) visas and DN (Business) visa holders are eligible for a work permit, if the work performed is a regulated category. A specialist work authorization is applicable for regulated professions such as attorney, medical professionals and professional teachers and professors. You must still apply for a work permit on an LD (general work/employment visa). This does not dictate the type of work permit you receive.

You could resolve one of the issues if you would like to provide a citation and link from an authoritative MOL source that specifically dictates a TESOL certificate of 120 hours with observation is required.

I'm not trying to prove anything, and am not confusing anything. I live here and went through the work permit authorization process over the past two months. I know exactly what is required. And anyone who wants to Google it can find the same.

I only responded so that people aren't misinformed. I've done my best, random strangers, you can believe this guy or a person who just went through the process. Or just ask a school, most of them post the requirements on their website.

Regardless, the 'people you know' are not working legally and do not have work permits.

@cms989

I only post from experience, expertise or trusted and reliable sources.
Your experience is certainly valid, it is one of many possible valid and accurate experiences. Yours is not the only one of such experiences.
No they are not working illegally and they have work permits, and schools are not the MOL.