Work Permit / Visa queries

NicCarter wrote:

hey all, hoping I might find a guru here who might be able to answer the following:

1) Is an undergraduate degree essential for all work permits? Are there work arounds, e.g would authorities / employers consider @in progress status? (Im currently midway - and can prove this - through BSc with Open University) Or, if not, is there the option to set up a Ltd company or equivalent and work as contractor?

2) Ive been expat from the UK for 6+ years. With specific regard to Criminal Record check, would one from my most recent countries suffice? Ive lived in Philippines for 18 months, Thailand for 4 years before that. In order to get a UK check I would need to return to the UK which on many levels isnt practical, nor would it be relevant given the length of time Ive been away?

Appreciate that these arent everyday questions, so Im appealing for info to those WITH DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OR UNDERSTANDING of these - after all you know what they say about opinions....

Putting this all into context, Im considering (actively) a move to Vietnam to teach, with  view to setting up a business there - Ive been involved in the education industry for many years, currently managing a business with 30 staff. Ive always worked legally (albeit perhaps against the spirit) and wouldnt want this to change, so if theres no work around then i'll stay put.

That sounds like a good idea...

For teaching you need some form of teaching qualifications like TEFL. And a degree, now some places used to accept evidence you were enrolled and actively taking a degree course. Not sure how you can check this.

Work permits for some categories of job are exempt.. lawyers for example . Managers with five years documented experience.

Criminal background check usually has to be less than months old, however if you lived somewhere other than the UK and have one from Thailand as long as it's legitimate and can prove you lived and worked there should be ok.

Vietnam can be tricky with above rules, no two companies will ever be exactly the same when it comes to what they require. If a company offers to hire you without a degree or teaching qualifications then they are probably dodgy..and run the risk of not getting paid regular, and I'd you don't who can you complain to ? Working outside the rules is illegal

You could arrive on a tourist visa and spend a few weeks getting to know the area.. see how it goes.

July 1st have visa changes coming, if they will make life easier or harder remains to be seen.