Looking for a job internationally but not sure if you’ll be able to due to age, health and/or relationship-based factors? Here’s our how-to and do-not guide for those asking questions about if they’ll be accepted despite some of these problems. You may also want to check the bottom of each Job Post as the restrictions including the factors mentioned above are specified in each and every entry.
So first the biggest subject: Age. Universally the age restriction on hiring is at 65 but many people have reported having great difficulty obtaining a VISA or Work Permit even when below this age, so it’s important to note the various regions below. In Europe, for example, our candidates don’t typically report any problems being placed as far as age goes but if you aren’t an EU Citizen then getting a hold of the documents needed tends to be a lot of pillar-to-post work.
In Africa typically the ministries and various governing bodies and organizations are fairly lenient, allowing anyone up to 65 to work with no sort of restriction or issue whatsoever. With Asia however, our candidates have reported having issues in obtaining the necessary documents to work when over the age of 50.
Typically the Middle East has been known to follow suit with Asia but in Qatar our candidates have told us that even at 45 it’s not always easy to get a VISA or Work Permit sorted. South America on the whole is much like Africa with its recruitment age at 65, however, it’s important to note that many of our candidates have had difficulty sorting the required documents to work in Brazil when over the age of 50.
Health-wise, the biggest issues out clients tend to have is hiring those with anything that could impede a teacher’s ability to teach or move. This typically includes any medical problems related to the heart and circulatory system, back and muscle strain, bone and joint conditions (i.e Arthritis) or mental health (i.e Depression).
Finally the last restricting factor is Relationships, especially with family. Due to the larger pool of single teachers flooding out of Europe due to the lack of jobs there, many educational institutions around the globe are able to have a very large choice pool and as a result they are far more likely to employ Single Teachers rather than those with family or dependants. Additionally, most Middle Eastern institutions will not accept unmarried couples (as well as many schools in Malaysia).
All that said, it’s still very possible to be placed but as we tell all of our candidates, flexibility is free. The more flexible you are as an individual, the easier and faster we’ll be able to place you in a good teaching position internationally. Please register with us and check this post from time to time as it’ll be updated with new information as it comes in.
Also, be sure to check out our guide on Document Attestation & Security – What you NEED to know!