Teaching in Latin America

[pourdown]

Hi, I'm going to teach English in Latin America. Right now, my most likely place will be Costa Rica. I would like to hear from anyone who is or has recently worked in Central or South America, regarding work permits/visas.

Did the company help you get a work permit? If so, how long did it take?
Or, did the company just pay you in cash under the table, and you lived off of your passport as a tourist?

I want to know what to expect, as I have heard many different things regarding work permits, and would like to hear firsthand from other teachers. Also, could you mention exactly what country it is and even the school name if you don't mind. Thank you!

[ymnisky]

Originally Posted by pourdown

Hi, I'm going to teach English in Latin America. Right now, my most likely place will be Costa Rica.

Why not Brazil !!

[konungursvia]

It totally depends on the country, and the company. There are dozens of countries in Latin America. Costa Rica is considered relatively secure and modern, so I don't anticipate you'll have any problem.

[pourdown]

From the countries I've looked at so far, it seems as though most if not all of the LA countries have the same policy that work visas are only given for positions that cannot be filled by a native of that country. I've seen a few sources saying that work visas for ESL are VERY hard to get, and thus most ESL teachers work from their tourist visa, without a work permit.

If you have worked in Latin America, please tell me if you did so legally from a work visa or you got paid in case "under the table." I just want to hear from real teachers what they've done. thanks

[pianokid96]

Hey, I currently live in Mexico and teach English to 3 and 4 year olds. Right now I am trying to get my work visa, but it require more work from the school than it takes from me, and to tell the truth my school, although bilingual, is not very supportive of the English teachers. Need less to say I have been working there for a year and am still waiting for them to help me take out my work visa. If you were to come to Mexico you would find that you can teach in any private school without the work visa, but I believe most of the public schools and universities require the work visa. The Embassy in the US did tell me that right now it is fairly easy to get the visa that you need to teach English here.

[smithmiller6]

Sorry no idea,