What do you need to get an ESL work permit in Turkey? Do you...

It is a good idea to have it regardless. I know of people in Turkey operating on Master´s without an "ESL certificate" and in their case(s) it has not been a factor. Then again, if they have a Master´s in Education, do they really need to be reminded how to teach ESL? Get it, and then you have it. I loaded up on as many ESL certificates as I could get in addition to my degrees, just so I have them if someone wanted to get funky. It has not mattered with respect to wages in ANY of the countries I have worked in so far. But, they look nice hanging on the wall. Lately it seems the trend is to find cheap labor with most of those places focusing on ESL newbe types-vs-valid professionals with degrees. They ask for them, but in all reality, they could care less. This is true in MOST of China as an example where you could have 10 Ph.D.´s and still earn about 14,000 RMB if you were lucky.

Also be aware of what information you post online. Many "schools" are not really schools and alot of personal data gets ripped off such as resumes, names, degrees, CELTA´s, DETA´s etc. Normally those clowns are in the DPRK or somewhere in Africa. They collect data, milk you for information, and then, never offer you the job. Then again, there never was a job to be offered. If someone wants the data, check with their embassy and verify that government X wants you to have a TESOL first, and then, find out what they deem a "qualifying TESOL" to be. 100 hours, 3-months, etc.

Don´t be so eager to fork over data to anyone unless you know for sure who you are sending that to, how it will be used, and moreover, how it is stored!

You can easily obtain a TEFL certificate through SeriousTeachers for only $185 USD. It seems to be accepted by most of the countries that look for teachers on this site. You can work at your own pace, in your own time, there is a time limit given for completion though. Look it up on the site and see what you think.

Hello Cindy,

I just moved from the US and living in Turkey. I got a job at a very reputable k-12 school here in Turkey. They did all the paperwork for the work permit and now I have my Turkish resident permit. I can give you the name of the school and you can apply now for next year. I have a master´s in Education no TEFL or ESL certificate or those teaching english certificate. So it´s not a hard process at all. Good luck. Joan

Hello. I am here in Turkey and like it. However I am not sure exactly what I need for a work visa here. Do I need a TEFL or will the Turkish govt give me a visa without one? Also the school I am working at has already gotten me a residence permit and a work permit I think. But now they are wondering and I am too if I need a TEFL for the work visa. (This is a new school.) Also if I have a residence permit what does that mean? To me it means I must still leave Turkey when my tourist visa expires if my work visa hasnt come yet. We have the work permit and residence permit but have not applied for the work visa because we do not know if I need a TEFL or not. And if I need a TEFL an online one will suffice with 40 hours or does it have to be a 100 hour course? Needing answers quick and I thank you for your responses. Have a great day off tomorrow.

Hello. I am here in Turkey and like it. However I am not sure exactly what I need for a work visa here. Do I need a TEFL or will the Turkish govt give me a visa without one? Also the school I am working at has already gotten me a residence permit and a work permit I think. But now they are wondering and I am too if I need a TEFL for the work visa. (This is a new school.) Also if I have a residence permit what does that mean? To me it means I must still leave Turkey when my tourist visa expires if my work visa hasnt come yet. We have the work permit and residence permit but have not applied for the work visa because we do not know if I need a TEFL or not. And if I need a TEFL an online one will suffice with 40 hours or does it have to be a 100 hour course? Needing answers quick and I thank you for your responses. Have a great day off tomorrow.

Do not work on at a tourist visa! You can be deported from Turkey!!! I know someone who just got deported because of that! Listen the work visa should be stamped in your passport and you can only get it in your home country or country of residence! Within 10 days of arriving in Turkey you´ll get your residence permit. All these documents you should have in YOUR POSSESSION. Also you need a tax number and without this your residence permit is invalid. If a school tells you they have these things for you..it´s a lie. You get these things in person....DO NOT WORLK ON A TOURIST VISA!!!! Where in Istanbul are you?