Work permit questions with Volunteer 'O' Visa

[yzak]

If you volunteer at a school with an 'O' visa, and you volunteer as a part time teacher, do you still need a teaching certificate or 4 year degree to be able to volunteer teach?

Thank you!

[ubonjoe]

It is my understanding that volunteer teachers do not need a teaching certificate or waiver.

You do need a work permit though but it can be added on to the same work permit you have already.

[yzak]

thank you ubonjoe! is there a reason you are not 100% on this?

[Mario2008]

The Teachers Council has made an official ruling that volunteers teachers do not require a (waiver of) the teaching license.

However, immigration can set its own rules and some are more difficult than others. Strictly speaking the rules only allow for volunteering for organizations, not for the government and that includes government schools. Nan immigration for instance will not give an extension based on volunteering at a government school. While other immigration offices seem not to have a problem with volunteering for the government.

But Nan immigration will issue an extension for a teacher that is not paid, but then you must have a teaching license because you are extending as a teacher.

Immigration has gotten stricter about people volunteering.

[yzak]

awesome information! Thank you very much!