{"id":135647,"date":"2026-08-07T06:47:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T06:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/the-hire-wire\/paperwork-desk\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T20:13:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T20:13:15","slug":"paperwork-desk","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/gb\/the-hire-wire\/paperwork-desk\/","title":{"rendered":"The Paperwork Desk"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"hwp\">\n<style>\n.hwp{background:#FFFBF3;padding:26px 18px 40px;font-family:inherit;}\n.hwp-in{max-width:1200px;margin:0 auto;}\n.hwp-mast{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:14px;flex-wrap:wrap;border-bottom:3px solid #015659;padding-bottom:14px;margin-bottom:8px;}\n.hwp-wm{font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.14em;color:#015659;text-decoration:none;font-size:15px;}\n.hwp-wm b{color:#026F71;}\n.hwp-tag{font-size:11.5px;letter-spacing:.18em;color:#015659;opacity:.82;\/* AA contrast fix 16 Sep 2026 *\/text-transform:uppercase;}\n.hwp-back{font-size:13.5px;font-weight:700;color:#015659;text-decoration:none;border:1.5px solid #015659;border-radius:999px;padding:7px 16px;}\n.hwp-back:hover{background:#015659;color:#fff;}\n.hwp h1{color:#015659;font-size:34px;line-height:1.18;margin:22px 0 12px;max-width:1200px;}\n.hwp-intro{color:#015659;font-size:17px;line-height:1.65;max-width:940px;margin:0 auto 6px;opacity:.92;}\n.hwp-charter{max-width:1200px;margin:34px auto 0;background:#015659;border-radius:16px;padding:26px 28px;display:flex;gap:22px;align-items:flex-start;flex-wrap:wrap;}\n.hwp-charter .rule{width:5px;align-self:stretch;border-radius:3px;background:#E87731;}\n.hwp-charter .body{flex:1;min-width:260px;}\n.hwp-charter .eyeb{font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.2em;color:#F5B98C;\/* AA contrast fix 16 Sep 2026 *\/font-weight:800;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:6px;}\n.hwp-charter h2{color:#fff;font-size:21px;margin:0 0 8px;}\n.hwp-charter p{color:rgba(255,255,255,.85);font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.6;margin:0 0 12px;}\n.hwp-charter a{display:inline-block;color:#015659;background:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13.5px;text-decoration:none;border-radius:999px;padding:8px 18px;}\n.hwp-charter a:hover{background:#CCE7E2;}\n.hwp-more{max-width:1200px;margin:26px auto 0;}\n.hwp-more .lbl{font-size:11.5px;letter-spacing:.2em;font-weight:800;color:#015659;opacity:.82;\/* AA contrast fix 16 Sep 2026 *\/text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:10px;}\n.hwp-mrow{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:16px;}\n.hwp-mc{background:#fff;border:1px solid rgba(15,48,66,.14);border-top:4px solid #026F71;border-radius:14px;padding:18px 20px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;transition:transform .15s ease, box-shadow .15s ease;}\n.hwp-mc:hover{transform:translateY(-3px);box-shadow:0 10px 24px rgba(15,48,66,.12);}\n.hwp-mck{color:#015659;font-weight:800;font-size:17px;}\n.hwp-mct{color:#015659;opacity:.75;font-size:14.5px;line-height:1.5;}\n.hwp-mcgo{color:#026F71;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;}\n@media(max-width:900px){.hwp-mrow{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}@media(max-width:760px){.hwp h1{font-size:26px;}}\n\/* reading column: prose 900, breakouts 1200 *\/\n.hwp-in>h1,.hwp-in>.hwp-intro{max-width:900px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"hwp-in\">\n<div class=\"hwp-mast\">\n  <a class=\"hwp-wm\" href=\"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/the-hire-wire\/\">THE HIRE <b>WIRE<\/b><\/a><br \/>\n  <span class=\"hwp-tag\">A standing desk of The Hire Wire &middot; TEFL.ie<\/span><br \/>\n  <a class=\"hwp-back\" href=\"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/the-hire-wire\/\">&larr; Back to The Hire Wire<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<h1>The Paperwork Desk: the documents behind every teaching move<\/h1>\n<p class=\"hwp-intro\">Before any visa comes the file: the Garda police certificate, the apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the degree that may need a sworn translation. This desk maps the document rules for all ten destinations on our board straight from the official sources, with Irish costs and waiting times up front.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hwie-pd\" id=\"hwie-pd-paperwork\">\n<style>\n.hwie-pd{max-width:1200px;margin:10px auto 22px;font-family:inherit;color:#015659;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-panel{background:#fff;border:1px solid rgba(1,50,60,.14);border-radius:16px;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:18px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-eyebrow{font-size:11px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.2em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#015659;margin:0 0 6px;}\n.hwie-pd h2{font-size:28px;margin:0 0 8px;color:#015659;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-sub{font-size:16.5px;color:#015659;opacity:.75;margin:0 0 16px;max-width:720px;line-height:1.55;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-checked{display:inline-block;background:#015659;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:6px 14px;margin-bottom:14px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-hgrid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:13px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-hcard{background:#FFFBF3;border:1px solid rgba(1,50,60,.12);border-top:4px solid #026F71;border-radius:13px;padding:16px 17px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-hname{font-weight:800;font-size:16px;color:#015659;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-htext{font-size:14px;line-height:1.55;color:#015659;opacity:.82;flex:1;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-links{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-link{font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;color:#015659;text-decoration:none;border:1.5px solid #015659;border-radius:999px;padding:5px 12px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-link:hover{background:#015659;color:#fff;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-dgrid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:15px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-dcard{background:#FFFBF3;border:1px solid rgba(1,50,60,.12);border-radius:14px;padding:19px 20px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:10px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-dtop{display:flex;align-items:baseline;justify-content:space-between;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-dname{font-weight:800;font-size:20px;color:#015659;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-dprog{font-size:12.5px;color:#015659;opacity:.82;\/* AA contrast fix 16 Sep 2026 *\/font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.04em;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-chip{display:inline-block;background:#015659;color:#fff;font-weight:800;font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.12em;border-radius:999px;padding:5px 12px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-dcard ul{margin:0;padding-left:19px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-dcard li{font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;color:#015659;opacity:.88;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-clock{font-size:13px;line-height:1.5;color:#015659;background:rgba(1,50,60,.06);border-left:3px solid #E87731;border-radius:0 9px 9px 0;padding:8px 12px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-clock b{letter-spacing:.08em;font-size:11px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-note{background:#015659;color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:18px 22px;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:18px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-note a{color:#fff;font-weight:700;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-faq h3{font-size:17px;color:#015659;margin:16px 0 6px;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-faq p{font-size:14.5px;line-height:1.6;color:#015659;opacity:.85;margin:0;}\n.hwie-pd .pd-foot{font-size:12.5px;color:#015659;opacity:.82;\/* AA contrast fix 16 Sep 2026 *\/line-height:1.55;margin-top:14px;}\n@media(max-width:980px){.hwie-pd .pd-hgrid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;}}\n@media(max-width:700px){.hwie-pd .pd-hgrid,.hwie-pd .pd-dgrid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}.hwie-pd h2{font-size:23px;}}\n\/* reading column: prose 900 inside the full-width panels *\/\n.hwie-pd .pd-faq h3,.hwie-pd .pd-faq p{max-width:900px}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"pd-panel\">\n<p class=\"pd-eyebrow\">The Paperwork Desk<\/p>\n<h2>Your documents from home, priced and timed<\/h2>\n<p class=\"pd-sub\">Every teaching file starts with the same two documents, a police certificate and an apostille. Here is what they cost, how long they take and where they come from, before a single visa form is opened.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pd-checked\">Garda, DFA fee and HCCH table re-read 28 October 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"pd-hgrid\">\n<div class=\"pd-hcard\"><span class=\"pd-hname\">Garda police certificate<\/span><span class=\"pd-htext\">Free of charge, takes about three weeks and stays valid for 12 months. Apply to the Superintendent for your Garda Division by post or online, with a certified copy of your passport or licence and proof of your addresses. It is issued solely for five purposes set by An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na, the first being foreign visa and immigration applications, and taking up a teaching job elsewhere in the EU is not on the list. The ELA France terms ask instead for a Subject Access Request on form F20 from An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na.<\/span><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.garda.ie\/en\/about-us\/online-services\/data-protection-foi-police-certificates\/police-certificates.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Garda police certificates &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-hcard\"><span class=\"pd-hname\">DFA apostille<\/span><span class=\"pd-htext\">The Department of Foreign Affairs stamps Irish public documents for \u20ac40 each. Public counters run in Dublin on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and in Cork on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.<\/span><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hcch.net\/index.cfm?oldlang=en&#038;act=authorities.details&#038;aid=325\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ireland apostille authority &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-hcard\"><span class=\"pd-hname\">Applying from the UK<\/span><span class=\"pd-htext\">The ACRO police certificate costs \u00a365 within 20 days, or \u00a3115 within 2 days. The FCDO apostille costs \u00a345 on paper in up to 25 working days, or \u00a335 as an e-Apostille within 2 working days.<\/span><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/copy-of-police-records\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GOV.UK, police records &rarr;<\/a><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/get-document-legalised\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GOV.UK, legalisation &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-hcard\"><span class=\"pd-hname\">Other passports<\/span><span class=\"pd-htext\">All 130 apostille convention members publish their competent authority on the HCCH status table. Check yours there, and check the fee, before anything goes in a courier bag.<\/span><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hcch.net\/en\/instruments\/conventions\/status-table\/?cid=41\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HCCH status table &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hwie-pd\">\n<div class=\"pd-note\">Travelling on an Irish passport? Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Czechia are free movement, so the consular lists below apply to readers without an EU passport. Your school may still want the Garda certificate and your degree, which is exactly what the cards above cover.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-panel\">\n<p class=\"pd-eyebrow\">Destination by destination<\/p>\n<h2>What each country wants in the envelope<\/h2>\n<p class=\"pd-sub\">The core documents, the freshness deadlines and the official page that owns each rule. Apostille, legalisation and attestation labels are checked against the convention status table.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pd-dgrid\">\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">Hungary<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">Residence permit for employment<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">APOSTILLE COUNTRY<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Application through the Enter Hungary platform with one facial photograph<\/li>\n<li>Employment agreement or a preliminary contract<\/li>\n<li>Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance<\/li>\n<li>Biometrics within 15 days of the application being received<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: Administration runs 21 days with a decision inside 70, and you must enter within 3 months of approval<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/oif.gov.hu\/factsheets\/residence-permit-for-the-purpose-of-employment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NDGAP factsheet &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">Czechia<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">Employee Card<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">APOSTILLE OR SUPERLEGALISATION<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Criminal record document from your country of citizenship<\/li>\n<li>Certified Czech translations of anything not in Czech or Slovak<\/li>\n<li>Proof of accommodation and the job vacancy number<\/li>\n<li>Medical report and further records only if requested<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: Documents no older than 180 days, a decision in 60 to 90 days, and CZK 5,000 when filing from abroad<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/ipc.gov.cz\/en\/visa-and-residence-permit-types\/third-country-nationals\/long-term-residence-permits\/employee-card\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Employee Card, IPC &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">Portugal<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">Temporary stay and work visas<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">APOSTILLE, EU DOCS EXEMPT<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Criminal record certificate apostilled and issued within 3 months<\/li>\n<li>EU issued documents are exempt from formalisation<\/li>\n<li>Documents in English need no translation at all<\/li>\n<li>Proof of housing and means, a year of medical insurance, and the work contract<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: Decision within 30 days of a complete application<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/aima.gov.pt\/pt\/temas-transversais\/reconhecimento-de-documentos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AIMA document recognition &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">Spain<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">EU registration certificate, Irish and EU passports<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">NO VISA, EU PASSPORT<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>No visa and no work permit for an Irish or other EU citizen<\/li>\n<li>Staying more than three months: register in person at the Oficina de Extranjeros for your province, or the Polic&iacute;a Nacional station<\/li>\n<li>Form EX-18, proof of payment of fee form 790 code 012, a valid passport, and evidence that you meet the conditions, such as your work contract<\/li>\n<li>NALCAP&rsquo;s visa list of criminal record, medical certificate and Nombramiento is for North American assistants and does not apply to you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: Apply within three months of entering Spain, and the certificate is issued on the spot<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sede.policia.gob.es\/portalCiudadano\/_es\/tramites_extranjeria_tramite_certificadoregistro_ciudadanoue.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Polic&iacute;a Nacional, EU registration &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">T\u00fcrkiye<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">Work permit<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">SWORN TRANSLATION<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Diploma with a Turkish translation by a sworn translator<\/li>\n<li>Employment contract signed by both you and the employer<\/li>\n<li>Private schools need the Ministry of National Education pre permit, the \u00d6n \u0130zin<\/li>\n<li>The employer files the registry and financial papers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: Passports with under 60 days of validity are not processed at all<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.csgb.gov.tr\/uigm\/en\/general-information\/information-and-documents-required-in-the-work-permit-evaluation-process\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Work permit documents, \u00c7SGB &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">Mexico<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">Temporary resident, job offer<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">APOSTILLE PLUS TRANSLATION<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Your employer files first with INM on a letterhead job offer, MXN $239<\/li>\n<li>Apostille from convention members, consular legalisation otherwise<\/li>\n<li>Official Spanish translation of anything not in Spanish<\/li>\n<li>One photo to spec, white background, face clear, no glasses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: The consular stage resolves within 20 business days, then the residence card within 30 days of entry<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gob.mx\/tramites\/ficha\/visa-por-oferta-de-empleo\/INM73\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">INM73, gob.mx &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">UAE<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">MoHRE work permit<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">ATTESTATION<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>The UAE sits outside the apostille convention, so documents are attested instead<\/li>\n<li>The foreign ministry and the UAE mission in the issuing country stamp the chain<\/li>\n<li>Documents in Arabic or English, and never laminated<\/li>\n<li>The Work Bundle runs 5 steps and 5 documents in about 5 working days<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: Digital attestation of UAE issued documents lands within 2 hours, the courier route takes 1 to 3 business days<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/information-and-services\/jobs\/employment-in-the-private-sector\/job-offers-and-work-permits-and-contracts\/work-permits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Work permits, u.ae &rarr;<\/a><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.gov.ae\/en\/services\/attestation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MoFA attestation &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">Colombia<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">Migrant visa, worker<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">APOSTILLE PLUS TRANSLATION<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Every foreign document apostilled or legalised, with an official Spanish translation<\/li>\n<li>Contract summary form in the Ministry format, signed by both sides<\/li>\n<li>Employer motivation letter and four months of company financials<\/li>\n<li>Degree apostilled and translated for unregulated professions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: Supporting documents no older than 3 months, and a decision within 30 calendar days<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cancilleria.gov.co\/sites\/default\/files\/Normograma\/docs\/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Resolution 5477 of 2022 &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">Vietnam<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">Work permit<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">APOSTILLE COUNTRY<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Apostille accepted since 11 September 2026, when Vietnam joined the convention. Consular legalisation applied up to 10 September<\/li>\n<li>Health certificate no older than 12 months, criminal record no older than 6<\/li>\n<li>Degree plus 3 years of experience for the expert route<\/li>\n<li>Two colour photos at 4 by 6 cm and a notarised passport copy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: File 15 days before day one, and the permit issues within 5 working days<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/vietnam.gov.vn\/work-permits-68947\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vietnam Government Portal &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-dcard\">\n<div class=\"pd-dtop\"><span><span class=\"pd-dname\">Oman<\/span> <span class=\"pd-dprog\">Employment visa<\/span><\/span><span class=\"pd-chip\">ATTESTATION ROUTE<\/span><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Two photographs at 6 by 4 cm and a passport valid for 6 months or more<\/li>\n<li>Ministry of Manpower labour permit attached to every application<\/li>\n<li>Medical certificate attested by the Ministry of Health for listed nationalities<\/li>\n<li>Teaching posts need approval from the relevant organisation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pd-clock\"><b>THE CLOCK<\/b>: Minimum age 21, and the visa gives a 2 year multi entry stay for a fee of OMR 20<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pd-links\"><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rop.gov.om\/english\/Visas.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Royal Oman Police, work visa &rarr;<\/a><a class=\"pd-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gov.om\/en\/w\/get-a-work-visa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gov.om, get a work visa &rarr;<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-note\">Two clocks worth knowing. Vietnam joined the apostille convention on 11 September 2026, so apostilles are accepted there now. Thailand follows on 28 February 2027, and until that date still runs on the older consular legalisation chain. Status comes from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hcch.net\/en\/instruments\/conventions\/status-table\/?cid=41\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HCCH convention table<\/a>, re-read on 28 October 2026.<\/div>\n<div class=\"pd-panel pd-faq\">\n<p class=\"pd-eyebrow\">Quick answers<\/p>\n<h2>Paperwork questions we hear most<\/h2>\n<h3>Where do I get an apostille in Ireland?<\/h3>\n<p>From the Department of Foreign Affairs, which stamps Irish public documents for \u20ac40 each. There are public counters in Dublin on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and in Cork on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The stamp makes your degree or Garda certificate valid in the apostille convention countries, which number 130 on the HCCH table once Thailand joins on 28 February 2027.<\/p>\n<h3>How do I get a Garda police certificate?<\/h3>\n<p>Apply to the Superintendent for the Garda Division where you live, by post or online, with a certified copy of your passport or driving licence and proof of your addresses. It is free, takes about three weeks and stays valid for 12 months.<\/p>\n<h3>Do Irish teachers need a visa for Spain or Portugal?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Irish citizens move to Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Czechia under EU free movement, so the consular document lists on this desk apply to readers without an EU passport. Your school may still ask for a Garda certificate and your degree, so the home documents section above still earns its keep.<\/p>\n<h3>Which destinations refuse an apostille?<\/h3>\n<p>The UAE, which attests documents through its foreign ministry instead, and Taiwan, which authenticates through its own missions. Vietnam switched to apostilles on 11 September 2026, so it accepts them now. Thailand follows on 28 February 2027 and still needs consular legalisation until then.<\/p>\n<p class=\"pd-foot\">Rules and fees change without notice. Every claim on this desk links to the official page it came from, and we correct this page in place between editions. Confirm with the embassy or programme before you pay for anything.<\/p>\n<p class=\"pd-foot\"><b>Updated 28 October 2026:<\/b> three sources re-read and one card replaced. The Garda police certificates page still gives a free certificate, about three weeks to process and 12 months of validity, and the Garda card now adds what that page also says: the certificate is issued solely for five stated purposes, and a teaching job elsewhere in the EU is not one of them. The DFA fee of &euro;40 per apostille stamp was re-read on ireland.ie and stands. The public counter days in Dublin and Cork were not on the page we read today and were not re-checked. The HCCH status table was re-read: Vietnam&rsquo;s entry into force of 11 September 2026 and Thailand&rsquo;s of 28 February 2027 both stand, and the table lists 130 contracting parties, Thailand included, so the FAQ now says so rather than counting Thailand before it joins. <b>The Spain card was a NALCAP visa checklist<\/b>, written for North American assistants, on a desk that tells Irish readers NALCAP is not their route. It now carries the rule that does apply to an Irish citizen staying more than three months, the EU registration certificate on form EX-18 with fee form 790 code 012, read on the Polic&iacute;a Nacional page today. The NALCAP list it replaced asked for a criminal record from every country of residence in the past five years, apostilled and translated, a medical certificate and the Nombramiento. Hungary, Czechia, Portugal and the non-EU destinations were not re-read today and keep their 7 August check.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hwp-charter\">\n<div class=\"rule\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div class=\"eyeb\">How this desk is run<\/div>\n<h2>Checked at the source, corrected in place<\/h2>\n<p>Every requirement on this page links to the government or programme page that owns it, with the date we last checked. When a fee or a rule moves, we correct the desk and say so. That is the standard our Editorial Charter holds every desk to.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/editorial-standards\/\">Read the Editorial Charter &rarr;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hwp-more\">\n<div class=\"lbl\">More from the Wire<\/div>\n<div class=\"hwp-mrow\"><a class=\"hwp-mc\" href=\"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/the-hire-wire\/salary-index\/\"><span class=\"hwp-mck\">The Salary Index<\/span><span class=\"hwp-mct\">What English teachers really earn, in local currency and euro, traced to official pay scales.<\/span><span class=\"hwp-mcgo\">Open the desk &rarr;<\/span><\/a><a class=\"hwp-mc\" href=\"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/the-hire-wire\/online-desk\/\"><span class=\"hwp-mck\">The Online Desk<\/span><span class=\"hwp-mct\">Plan what teaching English online pays per week, month and year.<\/span><span class=\"hwp-mcgo\">Open the desk &rarr;<\/span><\/a><a class=\"hwp-mc\" href=\"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/the-hire-wire\/visa-desk\/\"><span class=\"hwp-mck\">The Visa Desk<\/span><span class=\"hwp-mct\">The official visa route behind every destination on the board.<\/span><span class=\"hwp-mcgo\">Open the desk &rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@graph\": [{\"@type\": \"WebPageElement\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/tefl.ie\/the-hire-wire\/paperwork-desk\/\", \"name\": \"The Paperwork Desk, documents for teaching English abroad\", \"description\": \"Apostille, police certificate and document rules for teaching English abroad, checked against official government sources and dated.\", \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-28\"}, {\"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Where do I get an apostille in Ireland?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"From the Department of Foreign Affairs, which stamps Irish public documents for \u20ac40 each. 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