Resume: How to say - "Can work with you on getting work visa" (in Fiji)
May 22, 2013 3:05 PM   Subscribe

How do I express to potential employers in Fiji , "YES, I am American, YES I only have a Visitor Visa right now... but I have the resources to do whatever hoops and get the Work Visa, just tell me what is best for you"?

I am in Fiji. I need a job to stay here with my Fiancee (who for other reasons I should not legally marry until we are both in the USA). I am currently under Visitor Visa until August.

I am applying for jobs and from what I understand I would technically need to leave the country and then apply for work visa and then re-enter*. I am cool with that. Or maybe the company has another procedure they want me to use (or they have a friend somewhere in the government who can work some magic). I am cool with that too.

I even have an Australian Work and Holiday Visa in the bag so I can go back and forth between Fiji and Australia as needed.

How do I put that in a simple form on my resume that:
1) Does not make them automatically reject me because I am only a Visitor Visa
2) But that lets them know I am only interested in the job if they can get me a Work Visa
3) And I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve #2

Thanks!

* Referencing This Fiji Embassy Document: Which says "anyone intending to apply for a temporary, short or long term work permit should do so from outside Fiji;"
posted by DaftMythic to Work & Money (2 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Can you just put a sentence in your cover letter that says "I am an American citizen with visitor visa; I have the resources to apply for a work visa but will need your company's backing to do so," or something to that effect?
posted by ChuraChura at 3:34 PM on May 22, 2013 [1 favorite]


OK, so i had a job in Fiji once. I got it while I was in the US and not in Fiji. They basically told me to just come on the tourist visa, and that they would do all of the work to get that visa changed to a work visa. (in fact I was almost not allowed on the plan with a one way ticket and a tourist visa, but the job offer letter was enough to get me on the plane) And when I got there, sure enough, eventually, after much worry on my part, I got my work visa. However, nobody there seemed even remotely concerned, and couldn't understand why I might be puzzled that "well the guy who does that is gone, we're not sure when he'll be back, let's just try later, don't worry" I don't know how long you've been in Fiji, but the impression I got was that despite there being the appearance of a lot of red tape, that's all mostly theater, and the only way to get things done is to talk to the right people. What is likely the case is that wherever you apply to work, they'd have their own procedure (more likely their guy in the government to work their magic). If I were you, I'd leave any mention of visa (and perhaps even nationality) off the resume. Submit it with a local (Suva?) address, and address the issue later on when you're speaking to somebody in person, see where it goes. This was a job at the University of Suva. Feel free to memail me if you've got other questions!
posted by dipolemoment at 3:41 PM on May 22, 2013 [2 favorites]


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