Can foreign nationals work in Call centers?

[Peachy]

20 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

I dont think anyone said it was complicated but finding someone willing to take those steps of a work visa is most likely only going to happen for the correct people, IT techs, trainers, management etc as it wont happen for someone whose only skill is to make phone calls. So if wanting to work in a call center on that level one would have to arrange their own work visa. 

Hello Jollygoodfellow,

Yes you're right, that's what some of my friends also told me. Well my fiance had a clean track record on managerial role for almost 7 years now. He really is hardworking and I am really lucky for having him, moving across the globe and settling in Philippines.

[Peachy]

16 hours ago, chris49 said:

My experience Dave.

A foreigner married to a Filipina obtains a 13 a, Permanent Residency Visa. As I understand, an individual on a 13 a would not need a work visa. But they would need all the work requirements for employment. My contact, BXXX, was not kept on his first job, he did not pass his 3 month probationary period. It took him 4 months to do those requirements and when he went to another employee everything had to repeated.

As for the OP, Peachy, I would say she's on a longshot.

So I would also comment to Peachy that over only a few months stay this does not look possible.

As she may know, foreigners can teach English in other Asian counties, eg Thailand, Korea, that's the way I would go and visit Philippines during contract breaks eg 6 months on, 6 months off.

hi there Chris,

 

We are not yet married, and we're planning to stay in Philippines a bit longer. It will be a big challenge for both of us on our first couple of months, well we will take things slow one step at a time. Thank you Chris!

[Peachy]

7 hours ago, earthdome said:

On a positive note I met a woman from Canada who was able to get a management position supervising call center employees. In her case she had already lived in the Philippines  and learned tagalog before she was hired. Being fluent in tagalog and very knowledgeable about the culture helped her a great deal when managing filipino's.

 

I suggest that your fiancee start a crash course learning tagalog and the culture. Once you two are married he should get a 13A visa asap so he is eligible to work. Having those two things will put him ahead of many other people seeking those same supervisory positions.

Thanks for the suggestion earthdome, yes he is trying his very best to learn the language - Well I'm not the best teacher haha! He is a very patient and hardworking person I know we will both make it.

[i am bob]

has he considered working from a virtual office online with a call center from home?  if it's an overseas bpo, no work visa is required  this would probably require that you get a residence somewhere that you can get a fiber internet line and they are only in select subdivisions and condo buildings here at the moment...  though there are also the new cell towers recently with the really fast wireless data available in some areas also...  another option and it's pretty easy...  have him rent space from one of the current call centers to do the online office work...  i've heard that the bpo offices like to try and steal the independent traffic for their own employ and may offer him a job and the work visa that goes with it.

when you come?  the immigration office is across the street from victoria mall...  just look through the gates and you'll see it... but don't do like another expat i know and go to the wrong office next door - that one has guns and are regular visitors to bi for the deportation of bad guys...  hehe!  if you are an early morning person like me, they will have the doors open as soon as they arrive in the morning and you can get your papers completed and out the door shortly after their official opening time...  just make sure you have the correct amount they will ask for (don't ask us what that will be - it's rarely the same...  not for their pockets but the types of charges are not the same each time) as they don't have change first thing in the morning...  hehe!  this is probably the friendliest and most helpful bi office anywhere in the philippines so have fun!

[Peachy]

1 hour ago, i am bob said:

has he considered working from a virtual office online with a call center from home?  if it's an overseas bpo, no work visa is required  this would probably require that you get a residence somewhere that you can get a fiber internet line and they are only in select subdivisions and condo buildings here at the moment...  though there are also the new cell towers recently with the really fast wireless data available in some areas also...  another option and it's pretty easy...  have him rent space from one of the current call centers to do the online office work...  i've heard that the bpo offices like to try and steal the independent traffic for their own employ and may offer him a job and the work visa that goes with it.

when you come?  the immigration office is across the street from victoria mall...  just look through the gates and you'll see it... but don't do like another expat i know and go to the wrong office next door - that one has guns and are regular visitors to bi for the deportation of bad guys...  hehe!  if you are an early morning person like me, they will have the doors open as soon as they arrive in the morning and you can get your papers completed and out the door shortly after their official opening time...  just make sure you have the correct amount they will ask for (don't ask us what that will be - it's rarely the same...  not for their pockets but the types of charges are not the same each time) as they don't have change first thing in the morning...  hehe!  this is probably the friendliest and most helpful bi office anywhere in the philippines so have fun!

Hello bob,

Thank you for your suggestions, we are considering also some online jobs. He is currently working as a manager now and planning to travel around september or october. Does he really need to get a roundtrip ticket? We are planning to get a house in buhangin area.

Best regards,

Peach

[Dave Hounddriver]

5 minutes ago, Peachy said:

Does he really need to get a roundtrip ticket?

99% sure he will but that is a separate topic.  Do not mix up topics.  It costs nothing to start a new thread.

[i am bob]

14 hours ago, Peachy said:

Hello bob,

Thank you for your suggestions, we are considering also some online jobs. He is currently working as a manager now and planning to travel around september or october. Does he really need to get a roundtrip ticket? We are planning to get a hoad ituse in buhangin area.

Best regards,

Peach

5

answer to the question that should be in a separate posting...  yes!

buhangin is nice and, depending where, there are a few fairly new subdivisions...  i'm in cabantian next door where all the new subdivisions seem to be...  lol!  word of warning...  jeepneys during the morning rush (4 am to 9 am) and evening (4 pm to 8 pm) may be full when passing your location in buhangin...  as well as all tricycles, motors, and taxis...  hehe!  let me know where you are looking and i'll let you know how bad it can be there...  i go to visit a friend on the other side of the city sometimes in the morning...  i have to leave at 3 am if taking jeepneys - just to get in!

[JJReyes]

16 hours ago, i am bob said:

 

has he considered working from a virtual office online with a call center from home?  if it's an overseas bpo, no work visa is required  this would probably require that you get a residence somewhere that you can get a fiber internet line and they are only in select subdivisions and condo buildings here at the moment...  though there are also the new cell towers recently with the really fast wireless data available in some areas also...  another option and it's pretty easy...  have him rent space from one of the current call centers to do the online office work...  i've heard that the bpo offices like to try and steal the independent traffic for their own employ and may offer him a job and the work visa that goes with it.

 

I read an article about one of the airlines, either Delta or Jet Blue, with over 600 "soccer moms" who work as independent contractors. They take their children to school and then log-in after returning home. The moms work the online reservation system until it is time to pick-up the kids. For extra money, the moms return online after supper. The computer program keeps track of the hours. 

The difficulty is finding enough moms to work the graveyard shift. The reservation system has have enough agents (moms) working 24/7. Interesting point is some customers are wary of call centers located outside the United States. Unfamiliar accent is one reason. It might be possible to organized Americans residing in the Philippines. Since payment for services is offshore, there are no visa issues.

 

[i am bob]

4 minutes ago, JJReyes said:

I read an article about one of the airlines, either Delta or Jet Blue, with over 600 "soccer moms" who work as independent contractors. They take their children to school and then log-in after returning home. The moms work the online reservation system until it is time to pick-up the kids. For extra money, the moms return online after supper. The computer program keeps track of the hours. 

The difficulty is finding enough moms to work the graveyard shift. The reservation system has have enough agents (moms) working 24/7. Interesting point is some customers are wary of call centers located outside the United States. Unfamiliar accent is one reason. It might be possible to organized Americans residing in the Philippines. Since payment for services is offshore, there are no visa issues.

 

 

organizing a group like this might not be looked upon as favorable with the philippine government...   you would in effect be opening your own bpo with this conglomeration of foreign workers...  now, if everybody is just working as independents and renting space from a current bpo, that might slide through...  still, if there are 20 people in a room working independently for one company off-shore?  expect some issues coming at you...