Can't decide on a freelance visa or a language visa

[Nicomachean]

Hi everyone,

I will be leaving my middle management job and moving to Heidelberg in August. While I understand it will not be a cake walk to secure employment, I have made contact with a number of language schools when I was over there in February who are interested in me for the purpose of teaching business English to various clients.

My question is this:

Should I attempt to get a freelance work permit for teaching English first, or should I enroll in a language course and obtain a language course visa first?

I am torn on what to do as learning the language would benefit me in the job search but at the same time I am sure I could get a freelance visa fairly quickly and get some cash coming in

Opinions?

[armen11]

I think it would be better to apply for the Language course visa first. any how you can later apply for the freelance workpermit

[crowchuk]

well having done both, I would recommend that u get a freelancers visa first, like u said to start getting some cash in.

Plus, if u have a freelancers visa, u can always join a language course (u dont need a special visa to join a course, u only need a visa to stay in the country), but if u have a language visa u can't teach freelance.

So, both logic and practice push for a freelancers visa.

Good luck,
mohamed

[Nicomachean]

Thanks,

Much appreciate the advice - I will go for the freelance visa first and see where it takes me.

3 months till Germany!

[PaulAdams]

Great thread,

Thanks a tonne for the information, i was looking out for the same.

[jennychic]

Freelancers visa first. Hey, don't forget to enjoy the scenery and the beer.

[Christi]

I am planning a move to Germany also, although I will be married to a German. I thought of teaching Business English and obtaining a qualification for such but research has shown me the job just doesnt pay. If your lucky you can get 1200 Euros per month for full time work, that is around 18k Canadian and is Gross. I thought time/energy should be spent learning the language and taking a German/English position rather than teach English for peanuts. Anyone think differently?