In some Asian countries, like China and South Korea, you’ll have to arrange your work visa pre-departure. In others, like Taiwan, it’s possible to enter on a tourist visa and apply for a work permit while there. 

For Thailand and Vietnam you’ll need a work permit sponsored by an employer. You can still enter on a tourist visa and apply for a work permit.

It’s easy to obtain a work visa in the EU if you’re from a EU member country. Obtaining a work visa in the EU typically requires sponsorship from the hiring school and this process can be timely and costly. 

But there are workarounds!  You can get a student visa which allows you to work part-time while you are enrolled in a study programme.

Latin and South America are known for relaxed visa requirements. For many western countries, you can request a tourist visa on arrival and these are typically valid for up to six months. Once you’ve secured a position, you can apply for a working visa.

For volunteer programs or short-term contracts, working on a tourist or temporary visa is allowed. Official work visas are quite difficult to get.
Longer contracts of a year or more will require your employer to sponsor you for a work visa. Here you are required to provide proof of your university degree, TEFL certification, teaching experience or English fluency level (if you aren’t a native English speaker).

This is provided as a public service in some countries. It covers basic medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medication.

Although more expensive, it covers a wider range of medical expenses, including elective procedures. You may choose your own doctor or hospital.

This is a common benefit offered by many companies. It includes health, dental, and vision insurance. Coverage and employee contributions can vary.

Start-up costs include more than the obvious flight costs. Remember that you’ll only be paid a few weeks or even a month after you start your job, so you need to support yourself until your first paycheque lands in your bank account. These are the start-up costs you can expect.

A TEFL course costs between $100 and $500 for online courses but can go as high as $1,000 for in-person TEFL courses. Be sure not to fall for cheap TEFL courses.

Flight prices will be different depending on where you are flying from and where you’re going but you shouldn’t pay no more than $1,500 for most flights.

Let’s take a look at the average monthly cost of living in a few top TEFL locations – South Korea: $800 -$2,000, China: $600 -$1,000, Japan: $1,100 – $2,200.

Requirements for teaching positions vary from job to job and country to country. However, there are some basic requirements, such as having a strong command of the English language, that you just can’t skip. Some, like Bachelor’s degree and TEFL certification, might not always be required but they will always set you apart from the rest – even in countries where they’re not mandatory.

The higher-paying jobs, in any location, will prefer a native English speaker.

Locations that are not sticklers for native English speakers include: Chile, Argentina, Spain, Cambodia and Mongolia. Being fluent in English will suffice.

99.99 % of TEFL jobs abroad require you to have a minimum of a Level 3 (120-hour) TEFL certificate. The certification becomes especially important when you have no teaching experience or degree.

The top-paying TEFL teaching jobs are usually in private schools, universities, and government-funded programs. They ask for a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any subject. Here is a list of countries that don’t require you to have a degree: Cambodia, Costa Rica, Spain, Argentina, Mexico and Myanmar.

These countries require you to pass a background check to receive a visa:

South Korea, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong.

You can find a job in any location without having any teaching experience. All you need is to have completed a TEFL course that preferably includes practical teaching.

However, in some countries, like UAE, teaching experience is a requirement.

These are the most common types of English teaching jobs available abroad. They cater to students of all ages and levels, and teachers can work after school hours and on weekends.

International schools are private schools that offer a curriculum based on an international education system such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). These schools often require you to have teaching qualifications and experience.

Public schools in some countries hire native English speakers to teach English as a foreign language. These positions are usually found in primary or secondary schools and require teachers to have a degree.

Many universities around the world offer English language courses and hire TEFL teachers to teach these courses. These positions often require a Master’s degree or a PhD in a related field. They are very competitive.

Many companies around the world require their employees to have a good command of English. Teachers who specialise in teaching Business English can find employment in corporate training departments or at language schools that offer Business English courses.

Online teaching has become an increasingly popular option. You need a TEFL certificate and degree in most cases. If you are an independent online English teacher, you are able to set your own rates. The higher your qualifications and the more experience you have, the more you can charge.

Don’t want to commit to a full-time job? Volunteering offers short contracts of anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Volunteer positions are in schools, orphanages, and community centres around the world.

During the summer months, many countries offer summer camps for English language learners. These can be for a few weeks or a few months. Popular countries for summer camps are the UK, the US, Thailand, Italy and Spain. TEFL teachers are needed to teach English but also lead extra-curricular activities like Art or sports.

– China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan

Asia has a range of different TEFL options. You can work long hours and save your cents in South Korea, or live a good life in Thailand – not earning a lot but not spending a lot either. Asia has something to offer everyone.

– Spain, Italy and France

The job market can be quite competitive, particularly in Western European countries where English language proficiency is already high. EU citizens are preferred due to visa restrictions.

– Mexico, Costa Rica and Argentina

There is a high demand for English language instruction in urban areas, and competition for jobs is moderate to high.

– Egypt and Morocco

The demand for TEFL teachers is high, particularly in urban areas. However, the job market can be competitive due to the number of qualified applicants.

Costs vary widely depending on the country and location. In some countries, a basic 1-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre can cost around $300 a month. This will naturally be higher for apartments in city centres.

Typical expenses for utilities vary depending on the country and the specific living situation. Utilities include water, gas and electricity.

In some countries, it may be more affordable to eat out than to cook at home, but this varies depending on the location.

Some gyms may require a contract or membership fee, so it’s important to research options before committing.

Toiletries, haircuts, and beauty products vary widely depending on the country and location. Some countries don’t have the same products on offer as at home so you may want to take some of your faves with you.

Setting up your cell phone and internet are on the top of your to-do list when you arrive in a country. You will need a new sim card and to choose between prepaid or taking out a contract, which will prove to be cheaper if you are planning on staying for more than a year.

Another costly expense you can expect is medical care. GP visits and medication are not covered by most health insurances, so this will come out of your own pocket.

Transport is not a huge expense, but getting a public transport monthly pass is a good idea if you plan on travelling a lot within and outside the city. One-way tickets shouldn’t be too costly.

If you have a TEFL job that runs year-round, you may be able to take time off during the summer to work at a summer camp. Be sure to check with your employer to make sure that taking time off is possible and does not violate your contract.

Alternatively, you may be able to find a summer camp job that allows you to work on weekends or during your days off from your regular job.

Many TEFL teachers supplement their income by teaching private lessons – as a side hustle. You can set your own hourly rate and your own schedule.

The online teaching gig is the most convenient way to make some extra cash and save. That being said, pay can be quite low ($9/hour or less) for those who are not citizens of the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland. However, many online teachers earn $30 to $40 an hour from company-based incentives or bonuses or working independently.