ESL Internship Visa

misstulip

Hi all

I have been offered a job as an ESL teacher and have got an unpaid internship contract (including a living allowance).
I am a Dutch national but applied for a visa elsewhere as I don't live in The Netherlands. The consul was unwilling to help me here as apparently :

1. ESL teachers are not needed in India
2. I should apply for this in The Netherlands (ok, fair enough)

I am a bit confused about all this, as I know that there is a shortage of English teachers in India. Having read others’ experiences with internship and volunteer visas it seems that these are the visas that are hard to get. Why is that?

The company I would work for gave me the choice to apply for a tourist visa to save me the same hassle and refusal. I’d rather not go down that road, but would really don't want to miss out on this job.
Is anyone aware of any new regulations in regard to ESL teachers?

Thanks a mil!

curtdfw

A shortage of English teachers in India? How did you conclude that?

The BPO companies may need some Dutch language or culture instruction if they're doing business outsourced from there, but but straight-up English instruction is probably not a good bet for a foreigner unless you can package your skills with some unique angle that can't be supplied locally.

In any case you'd want an X visa for volunteering, as you've probably found on several threads already.

part two:
I just did a quick search here on 'Dutch' and found some language/translation opportunities. They would no doubt pay local level salaries (and I don't know what that is) but a year or two ago there were some BPO companies that were bringing over Europeans for language and culture training at local or near local pay levels. These folks might help you with an Employment visa, though they're getting tougher to get.
http://www.naukri.com/

__________________
"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative" Oscar Wilde

Haylo

Others in your situation have reported that as they were being given a living allowance, they were not regarded as being unpaid volunteers.

Where do you "know" that from? People in India with a good education, and even some of those with very little education speak English, so I'd be surprised if there is a shortage of teachers.

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misstulip

I realise that English is an official language in India. The shortage of English teachers in my understanding (this is from the news, the advertised volunteer projects, the school I’ve got the offer from), is due to the fact of India becoming a key player in the international markets, and the international work/study opportunities that brings.
The average person may have a good grasp of the language but would benefit from additional training in UK/American English pronunciation, business English, everyday English, international customs even. With a little more confidence of using English and improving the missing skills, the career options will be enlarged by far. Undoubtedly there are many local teachers, but in addition some schools are looking for foreign teachers with first hand international experience to help the students prepare for the international business environment.

Yes, this is unclear, but this is the contract I’ve been offered. Perhaps due to the fact of a living allowance not being an actual salary.

misstulip

Thanks for that! Strangely my Dutch didn't cross my mind, and I speak two more which may be in demand, but was so focussed on this! Still fingers crossed on this one, but will give it a go if it won't work out

Haylo

I meant regarded by the visa authorities in terms of whether you require an employment visa or a volunteer visa.

An employment visa is likely to prove hard to secure on your contract, yet as you are being remunerated, albeit at a low rate, you are unlikely to qualify for a volunteer visa.

EDITED TO FIX QUOTE

Merchant

Why not just apply for a tourist visa?

Haylo

Presumably because the OP wishes to remain legal, and does not wish to take the small risk of being deported and not being able to get another Indian visa.

Merchant

I'll bet we can't find anyone who has been deported from India for volunteering on a tourist visa.

misstulip

Yes it is tempting as it feels like I have the right to go – having the invitation & all..
but I’d rather leave my conscience in peace and I am hoping to go for 6 months at least.

LilBoy BigTown

What makes you so sure? And even if it hasn't happened before, who is to say it will never happen?

It is up to misstulip,and it appears she wants to play by the rules, but here on IM, I have read stories of so many who have breached their visa conditions and have found themselves in a pickle.

Some were unable to leave the country for a long time and were made to run from pillar to post, costing them time, money and peace of mind.

Is that worth it?

Merchant

But the IM horror stories are visas overstays -- this is obviously illegal and ill advised. It's not clear that it is illegal to be a volunteer in India on a tourist visa.

Haylo

I think what you mean is that it's not clear to you, it's certainly clear to everyone else!

I'm not saying that many people don't get away with volunteering on a tourist visa, but that doesn't mean that it is not against the immigration rules. Those embassy / outsourcing websites which do offer detail are very clear about which category of visa is required for which purpose. Breaking the terms of a visa is not to be taken lightly.

Besides, the Indian Embassy is aware of the OPs intentions, so an application for a tourist visa at this stage is bound to come under some scrutiny.

Merchant

This is one of those problems that exists only on the internet. India is not conducting raids against volunteers.

Haylo

If someone came (or was brought) to the attention of the authorities for whatever reason, their papers would most certainly be under scrutiny, but of course there are no raids searching for volunteers with incorrect papers!