Visas & Customs Requirements

Employment:

WORK VISAS are issued for multiple entries and can be valid for as long as the work permit is valid, but no longer than one year (365 days). All persons who intend to work in Poland must apply for work visa and submit a valid work promise certificate issued by the appropriate local executive authorities (Office of Wojewoda) in Poland.

Work visas are issued only by a Polish Consul in the consular office corresponding to the place where the applicant has his/her legal permanent residence. An alien intending to work in Poland must enter the country with a valid work visa, as no visas can be obtained in Poland. The person intending to stay in Poland longer than three months should apply for a residence card after arrival in Poland.

Employment without prior authorization is strictly prohibited. English language teachers planning to work in Poland at universities (colleges) must submit a Certificate of Employment issued by president of that university/college, instead of the work promise certificate.

Employment Situation:

The system and economic changes taking place in Poland have intensified since Poland joined the European Union on 1st May 2004. This fact has far-reaching consequences for practically every sphere of the state’s functioning, including the freedom of movement of people and capital. Such free and surely intensified movement is closely linked to growing foreign investments in Poland, which in turn brings about the need to employ in Poland people who are not this country’s citizens.

Teaching Positions:

Numerous public and private schools offer English-language courses. And because most of Poland is a less-popular destination for North American expatriates, the demand for English teachers is high. Though experienced and certified teachers are highly sought after, you don't have to have a teaching certificate or experience to find a job. Nowadays, big multinational corporations are making huge inroads into Poland so the demand for Poles to learn English is ever increasing. As this escalates, the demand for teachers increases and competition between schools become more and more fierce. More schools are popping up and more teachers are needed all the time.

Most schools realize that a certain level of standardization is beneficial, but that each teacher has an individual style, and perhaps even unique teaching methods. Consequently, teachers are expected to abide by certain guidelines that may involve using specific lesson plans provided by the school. Regardless of a school's particular requirements, most devoted teachers spend time preparing for their classes, because no matter how experienced a teacher may be, improvising lessons is not easy. Teaching English anywhere demands patience and adaptability.

English is still not widely available at the elementary level in many areas, which means that in most cases students can't start to learn English in the classroom until much later in their schooling. Often, they must wait to reach the college or university level before English is offered.

You don't necessarily need to have formal certification to find teaching positions, but you may need to be more resourceful in other ways. After all, Poland is a newer frontier for English language instruction, especially if you venture outside of either Warsaw or Krakow.