"What Exactly Do You Need To Join the ADEC Team?"

Document, on documents, on documents....OH MY! 

So, what exactly did I need to make everything complete. Well, here are the clear cut directions sent from my recruiter:

This is an email that was sent to me by my ADEC recruiter.  It provided me with everything I needed before my work visa could be processed and flight arrangements could be made. This does differ somewhat if you are going to a private school and I have a post about what I needed-"New School, New Hurdles"
 

"Please email clear, COLORED copies of the following documents:

1. Authenticated state/provincial teaching license authenticated according to the specifications outlined in the downloadable UAE Document Authentication Guide
2. Authenticated highest degree (Bachelor, Master or PhD ONLY) authenticated according to specifications outlined in the downloadable UAE Document Authentication Guide.
3. Authenticated dependent documents (if applicable) - those traveling with dependents (spouse and/or children) or carrying medication must authenticate additional documents so please follow the specific instructions listed in the guide.
4. A clear, colored copy of the photo page of your passport saved in PDF format (must be the full two pages of the information page and scanned to the same size as the actual passport). Your passport must be valid for twelve months upon entry to Abu Dhabi so you must update it if due to expire before August of your contract year. 
5. Four scanned passport style photographs, colored on white background.
6. Introductory Statement completed exactly as the given sample with passport photo in the space provided and color scanned in PDF format. Please print, complete by hand using the sample, attach a passport photo in the space provided and colour scan the completed document.  
7. TWO professional letters of reference color scanned in PDF format with school letter head, date and signature. At least one of these letters must be written by your most recent employer.
8. Proof of all relevant employment as credited by ADEC in your letter of offer. You can use this downloadable letter template. For substitute experience, you must gain a record of the number of days taught in one academic year as ADEC will credit 120 days+ as one year for salary purposes. 
9. Criminal background check: must be at the national level, but does not need to be attested.
• US applicants please use one of these FBI approved channelers (Field Print comes highly recommended as it only takes two days). Please note you will need to request the check for "personal use". (Field Print is the best option and goes as follows: 1) Make an appointment to the nearest location convenient to you 2) Pay the fee which was around $50.00 3) On appointment day arrive with 2 forms of valid ID-I used  my driver's license and passport- 4) they will scan all of your fingerprints into a scanner 5) When completed, you will be informed that your results will be emailed hours later) Here is a link to get you started!  Field Print
• Canadian applicants please attain a RCMP check from your local police station."

 

To avoid delays, all of the above documents were to be emailed (with exception to the passport photos that needed to be mailed) by March 1st (if you had an August start date such as myself). We were encouraged to send documents as they were ready so that they could be checked and completed correctly. 

We were ALSO told the following: 

"Once we submit your documents it is quite a lengthy wait and can take up to a couple of months. Therefore, we urge you to save enough funds to live comfortable during this time. Please make the necessary arrangements and remain patient. It will be well worth it in the end!"

At this particular stage of the game, many people do not make it through, so to get everything turned in is a great accomplishment.