As mentioned before, to obtain employment in the United States as an English teacher you must have a working visa for the country where you will teach. This is your F-1 nonimmigrant status or ETA job authorization!
There are two main types of visas that work permit holders can apply for: the B-1 business visitor visa and the F-1 student visa. The former requires three years of valid employment in the field, while the latter only demands one year of teaching experience and a degree or certification to teach at a qualified school.
The most common way to gain employment in America as an ESL instructor is through a company that recruits teachers directly. These companies handle all of the paperwork for the employee’s visa and employment contract, so it is best to go this route rather than applying directly via government agencies.
Be sure to check out our article about How To Find An Employment Contract In The US That Is Legal And Reliable. It contains more information about these recruitment firms and what to look for when choosing one.
Along with your passport, you will need to bring proof of employment or income in the United States. This can be as simple as showing receipts or documents that prove your job, paychecks, or benefits. If you are self-employed, you do not have to show proof of earnings, but you must have enough money to support yourself while here.
You also should make sure to have valid travel documentation for entry into the country.
It’s very important to make sure that you can prove your coverage when you apply for a visa in Canada. If you don’t have proof of adequate medical coverage, you could be refused entry into our country!
Many countries require their citizens to carry international travel health insurance while they’re visiting or working there. This can include requiring you to purchase additional cover just before you leave home or asking you to self-insure by buying private healthcare at a local level.
It's also worth noting that some employers may offer limited care as part of their employee benefits.
If you need more time to get these things sorted out, it would be best to do so well ahead of your departure. However, if you're running short on time, you should still try to find ways to prove you've got sufficient coverage.
Along with providing evidence that you have enough money to support yourself while in the United States, you will also need to provide proof of adequate medical coverage while here. If you do not have valid health insurance, you should be aware that it may not be easy to obtain a visa for the long term.
You can check if you are eligible for Medicare or Medicaid by going to www.medicare.gov or www.mdchealth.com, respectively. You will need to confirm your eligibility through their appropriate websites before completing any additional forms.
If you don’t qualify for either of these programs, there are some other options available to you. It is best to know what types of health insurance are permitted on a non-immigrant (visa) basis so that you are clear on which ones you can use during your visit.
Several companies sell limited medical coverage that can be used as proof of sufficient healthcare during your stay in America. These plans typically cover only hospital visits and doctor appointments, but no outpatient care such as physical therapy or chemotherapy.
While it is not mandatory to have an employment contract or formal agreement requiring you to return, it is prudent to have them as evidence that you will be returning.
You do not need to show these documents when applying for the H-1B visa if you are self-employed, but you should still consider putting in some effort to establish this fact.
By having such contracts, there can be additional benefits like proving investment in the business or tax incentives for being self-employed. These could help you get the best possible working status!
Furthermore, employers typically require two years of documentation supporting your claim to be self-employed. You do not have to provide pay stubs, receipts, etc., just make sure to include the appropriate paperwork that clearly states you are independent of employer-employee relationships.
These forms can easily be found online or through local businesses that specialize in immigration services.
Even though it may feel like a lot of work, this is not a time to ease off when it comes to applying for a visa. You do not want to start the process and then be told that you cannot because you did not include something important in the applications!
It is very common for employers to ask applicants to confirm their employment via an H-1B visa or another visa. They will typically do this within two weeks of being hired so that they have enough time to ensure that person’s departure from the company. This confirmation can easily be done by having the applicant fill out and send through a form called I-9.
This form asks about the employee’s name, birth date, social security number, employer ID, and job position. All of these must match what was put down in the application before any visas are issued. The employees’ signature also confirms that they know about this form and agree with everything mentioned above.
If there is ever a question about whether someone has the right to work in America, the answer is simply “no” unless they have the appropriate visa and are working under those conditions.
It is important to remember that if you are unable to pay your bills at this time, or have no job offers, then it can be difficult to prove employment in the future. Therefore, it is very important to make sure your applications do not contain errors or things that have gone missing.
It is also worth noting that it will take some months for your documents to arrive via mail.
Starting early in your career is the best way to ensure you have enough time to prepare for the visa process. And, if you are already employed at an international organization or company, you can start preparing your application earlier than if you were just starting.
Some employers require their staff to apply for a work visa before they are hired so that the embassy does not need to do background checks. Make sure your employer is aware of this requirement, however, as it may affect how quickly you get hired.
Be familiar with the requirements for both the F-1 and H-1B visas. The two visa types cannot be applied for simultaneously but must instead be processed sequentially (more about this later).
Knowing when applications will be due and what documents you’ll need can make the difference between getting your visa within the allotted time and having to reapply and/or begin the process over.
It is very important to begin thinking about your next destination as soon as possible after finding out you have received conditional resident status in Canada. Because it takes time for the government to review your application, you should start the process as soon as possible!
It is best to apply for an extension of your visa before your current one expires so that we don’t need to go through the initial processing again. This way, your family can stay in Canada while you get adjusted to life here.
You also want to be sure that everything is in order when you do re-apply because there is a maximum amount of time allowed to remain in Canada.
