| Every year thousands of adventuresome souls leave | | | | for you upon entry into the country. You should consult |
| their home country for six months or more to teach | | | | with your teaching institution and/or recruiter regarding |
| English abroad. Yet the search for TESOL jobs | | | | these details. |
| (Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages) | | | | 4. Collate materials for the visa application. |
| or TEFL jobs involves obtaining a foreign country visa | | | | Depending on the country you choose for teaching |
| at some point before or after the big move. Every | | | | English abroad, there may be items you need to collate |
| country's visa application process is manageable, but | | | | prior to submitting a visa application. Examples may |
| this could involve: a fair amount of items to collate to | | | | include, but are not representative for each and every |
| meet the foreign consulate's requirements, consultation | | | | country: |
| with your targeted country's embassy, an | | | | - a type-written (not hand-written) application submitted |
| understanding of deadlines to meet, and more. | | | | to the consulate, |
| Following are 5 recommendations on how to best | | | | - 2 or more passport-sized photos of yourself, |
| manage the process. | | | | - a job offer letter or student scholarship letter from |
| 1. Understand the difference between tourist and | | | | the teaching institution, |
| extended stay visas. | | | | - proof of medical insurance coverage, |
| Your TEFL job / TESOL job will likely require some | | | | - copies of recent bank statements indicating that you |
| non-tourist visa classification to remain in the host | | | | have had financial stability in your home country, |
| country for an extended period of time (for example, | | | | - clearance from your local or federal police |
| more than 90 days). Work with your teaching institution | | | | department that you do not have any misdemeanors |
| or recruiter to understand what type of visa you will | | | | or felonies, |
| need, how to go about applying for it, and who will pay | | | | - a signed doctor clearance that you do not have any |
| for the visa if costs are involved. | | | | communicable diseases, including HIV, |
| 2. Check with the foreign consulate in your home | | | | - a visa application processing fee. |
| country. | | | | 5. Utilize resources such as recruiter or placement |
| Use the Internet to find out what requirements are | | | | agencies. |
| needed for you to understand the country-specific | | | | It is common to utilize third-party recruiting agencies to |
| requirements for long-term stays. For example, a quick | | | | assist you find the optimal TEFL job / TESOL job |
| Google search to "[XYZ country] consulate in [your | | | | placement and with assistance and/or advice for the |
| home country]" should provide you a good start to | | | | visa. Good recruiters are worth their weight in gold |
| understand the details for the visa requirements. | | | | even though they may charge you $1,200 to $2,200 |
| 3. Pay attention to schedules and plan ahead. | | | | U.S. for their services. Ask your recruiter for advice on |
| Some country's consulates will require specific | | | | what is necessary in the visa application process. |
| information from you prior to your departure. They | | | | They will know details from the most recent teachers |
| might also have a deadline for your visa application | | | | that have entered the country and can offer advice |
| depending on the date you plan to enter your targeted | | | | on how to circumvent potential delays or problems. |
| teaching country. Other countries will provide the visa | | | | |