How to Get a Work Visa for Teaching English Abroad in 2023

If you’re preparing to teach English abroad, securing your work visa is likely top of mind.

Finding the correct visa information can be confusing. From meeting the requirements to preparing the documents and submitting the application, obtaining your work visa may seem like the most stressful aspect of planning your journey abroad.

However, getting your work visa doesn’t have to be overwhelming! We're here to break down the process for teaching abroad in popular ESL teaching destinations throughout the world, and give you a useful starting place for your pre-departure research.

A visa is a document which grants you access to a particular country. Visas come in many different forms to serve business, tourist, or student purposes. The visa cost, length, and requirements will not only vary from one country to the next, but it may also vary based on your nationality.

In order to teach English abroad legally, you may need to obtain a work or business visa. However, some countries may allow tourists or students to work up to a certain amount of hours.

Thanks to consistently strong demand for English language education, high salaries, and a generally low cost of living, Asia has been a particularly popular destination for EFL teachers for a while now.

Fortunately, visa processes in Asia are usually straightforward. So, as long as you meet some basic requirements, you shouldn’t have much trouble obtaining a long-term work permit. Unfortunately, people over the age of 55 are unlikely to be granted a work permit because they are older than the local retirement age.

Read more: The Best Countries for Older Adults to Teach English Abroad

✏️Type of visa: Z-visa
💰Fee: $150 USD (around ¥1,000 Chinese Yuan)
📄Required documents: Valid passport, legalized bachelor’s degree, and background check, employment contract, letter of invitation
⏰Valid for: One year, can be extended in-country

China is a vast and diverse country with major bustling cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and more. Not only is the landscape astounding and its history deeply rooted in rich tradition, ESL teachers also flock to the country for its high salaries and benefits.

The work visa process in China is relatively simple.In order to work legally, teachers will need a job offer so your employer can sponsor you to apply for the Z-visa.

📌 How to apply: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America

✏️Type of visa: Work visa
💰Fee: $1,600 NT or $50 USD
📄Required documents Valid passport, background check, bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate, employment contract
⏰Valid for: One year

Not only does Taiwan have a beautiful coastline, around 70% of the island is predominated by forested mountains. Teaching English in Taiwan is a highly popular option because of its low cost of living combined with a high salary.

To teach English in Taiwan, the visa process is similar to China’s, where you will need a school or employer to sponsor your visa beforehand. You’ll also need to undergo a health check and apply for an Alien Resident Card alongside your work permit. It’s common for prospective English teachers to enter Taiwan on a tourist visa (UK and US nationals are exempt from needing a tourist visa!) and then apply for a work permit once in the country. However, please note working while on a tourist visa is illegal!

📌 How to apply: Online Visa Application Form for Taiwan

✏️Type of visa: Work visa
💰Fee: $30 - $60 USD (depending on single or multiple entry)
📄Required documents Valid passport, background check, bachelor’s degree, employment contract
⏰Valid for: One year

In addition to high salaries and excellent standard of living, English teachers in Japan can embrace an exciting cultural landscape. In Japan, traditionalism is infused with modernity, as teachers can choose from locations such as high-tech Tokyo, traditional Kyoto, beach-filled Osaka, and more destinations.

To teach English in Japan, you will need to secure a position at a school before arriving in-country. This will allow your employer or school to sponsor your visa and help you with the process.

📌 How to apply: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan

Read more:

• The 5 Best Programs to Teach English in Japan
• The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English in Japan: Requirements, Salary, & Benefits
• Commonly Asked Questions about the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program

✏️ Type of visa: E-2 visa
💰 Fee: $80 USD
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, health check, legalized bachelor’s degree and background check, employment contract
⏰ Valid for: One year and can be renewed in-country

Whether English teachers flock to tech-savvy Seoul or beautiful Busan, South Korea can offer teachers a diverse cultural experience whether in the form of K-Pop, towerlike pagodas, or artifacts of the Joseon dynasty. English teachers in South Korea can benefit from high salaries and other benefits such as free accommodation, reimbursed airfare, and more.

In addition to the typical set of required documents for teaching English in South Korea, you will also need to complete an in-country health assessment (which includes a drug test) in order to obtain your visa successfully. Your school will also help you obtain a residency permit.

📌 How to apply: Korea Visa Portal - General Guide

Read more: How to Get a Job Teaching English in South Korea

Southeast Asian countries are among some of the most popular countries for teaching English as a foreign language because of the good salary combined with a cost of living. Additionally, the culinary culture, pristine beaches, and tropical landscapes of the countries alone are enough to entice travelers and teachers alike.

✏️ Type of visa: Non-B
💰 Fee: $80 USD
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, legalized bachelor’s degree, background check, TEFL certificate, employment contract, letter from ministry of education
⏰ Valid for: valid for 90 days but extended in-country

Teaching in Thailand offers English teachers a good salary in a country where the cost of living is incredibly low, and the work life balance is highly desirable. When you are not teaching, you can indulge in Thailand’s unrivaled cuisine, drink cocktails atop skyscrapers, or immerse yourself within tropical landscapes.

The process for applying for a visa to teach English in Thailand is pretty straightforward, and you can do it entirely online through the e-visa portal. You will need to secure your job beforehand in order for your school to provide you with the necessary documents to be granted the Non-B visa and work permit.

📌 How to apply: Official Website of Thailand Electronic Visa

Read more: How to Get a Teaching Job in Thailand

✏️ Type of visa: Business visa
💰 Fee: $25 USD
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, background check, application
⏰ Valid for: 90 days, extended in-country

The demand for English teachers in Cambodia is high, and it can offer teachers a moderately good salary in a country with a low cost of living. The sites of ancient civilizations such as Angkor Wat and islands such as Koh Rong are enough to convince English teachers to choose Cambodia as their destination.

Teachers in Cambodia must apply for the business visa in order to work legally. Due to the strong demand for English teachers, the requirements to teach English in Cambodia are generally lower than in other countries.

📌 How to apply: Cambodia E-Visa Portal

✏️ Type of visa: LD visa
💰 Fee: $60 USD
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, application, legalized bachelor’s degree, background check, and TEFL certificate
⏰ Valid for: 90 days, extend in-country

Teaching English in Vietnam can offer you a high salary in a very inexpensive country. Salaries can range from around $20 USD to $30 USD per hour, and when combined with flavorsome dishes and invigorating coffees as cheap as $1 USD, it’s easy to understand why people love teaching in Vietnam.

Teachers will need a work permit, which will be sponsored by your employer or school. These visas can be obtained through the mail or online before your arrival. It is a legal requirement that teachers in Vietnam have a bachelor’s degree and TEFL certificate (or teaching license). Additionally, you will need to legalize three documents; your degree, background check, and TEFL certificate.

📌 How to apply: Vietnamese National Portal on Immigration

Read more: How to Get a Teaching Job in Vietnam

European countries are incredibly popular with ESL teachers and tourists alike. Art, history, nightlife, culture, food - who wouldn’t want to spend a year or two living in one of these romantic and charming countries?

However, the sad reality is that it’s difficult for non-EU citizens to obtain work visas in Western Europe. Obtaining a work visa in the EU typically involves sponsorship from a hiring school. While this sounds simple enough, employers are required to prove that no EU citizen can do the job they’re advertising for before hiring non-EU candidates.

While you can technically work on a student visa in France, Spain, Germany, and Italy, you may want to obtain a work visa in order to maximize your hours and salary. The NALCAP program, for example, allows you to teach English as a language assistant while on a student visa in Spain.

✏️ Type of visa: Student (for language assistant program) or work permit (for language academy, semi-private, and private schools)
💰 Fee: €60 - €160 ($66 - $160 USD)
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, application, background check, employment contract
⏰ Valid for: Length of teaching program for student visa, one year for work visa

Whether you are situated in the architectural marvels of Barcelona or the golden beaches of Valencia, Spain is a great place to teach English because of its rich history, laid back culture, diverse topography, and more. Spain is an affordable country where English teachers can earn a comfortable salary.

Getting a work permit for Spain can be tricky if you aren’t an EU citizen or permanent resident. Popular options to legally teach in Spain are the NALCAP program, Meddeas, British Council, among others. Having a teaching license from your home country will help maximize your employability in a competitive destination.

📌 How to apply: Work Visa or Student Visa

Read more: How to Get a Job Teaching English in Spain

✏️ Type of visa: Student (maximum 10 hours a week), work visa, or Type D visa
💰 Fee: €50 - €100 ($55 - $110 USD)
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, background check, employment contract, printed cerfa form, bachelor’s degree
⏰ Valid for: One year for work visa, length of teaching program for student visa

France is home to some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks and revered culinary culture. English teachers in France will gain international experience in one of the most populous and influential countries in Europe while boasting of a high salary and quality of life.

In order to teach English in France , teachers can enter on a student visa or a work visa. The student visa will allow teachers to work for around 20 hours per week for the duration of their studies. The popular TAPIF program requires a Type D temporary work visa which will sponsor English language assistants for 12 hours of teaching per week for 7 months.

📌 How to apply: The Official Visa Website for France

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa
💰 Fee: €75 ($82 USD)
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, background check, proof of health insurance, accommodation and finances
⏰ Valid for: length of teaching program for student visa, one year for work visa

English teachers in Germany can benefit from working in a country packed with cultural significance and international presence. The salary for English teachers in Germany is high, as is the quality of life, and you can choose from a range of destinations including Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and more.

Teachers in Germany who are non-EU residents will need to apply for a work permit and a residency permit in order to receive their settlement permission. Those who are a resident of a Schengen country are able to relocate without applying for a visa.

📌 How to apply: Germany Visa

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa or student visa
💰 Fee: €116 EUR ($130 USD)
📄 Required documents: valid passport, background check, long-stay application form, employment contract, copy of nulla osta
⏰ Valid for: One year

Known for its romantic language, delicious pasta and its viticulture, Italy is a highly sought-after destination for English teachers across the world.

Teaching English in Italy requires non-EU residents to secure a job and apply for a visa and work permit before traveling to the country. This is because candidates will need their school to provide proof of employment in order to sponsor their visa. Teachers can also arrive on a student visa and teach a maximum of around 20 hours per week in Italy.

📌 How to apply: Visa for Italy

If you don’t meet the requirements or aren’t as intrigued by countries in Western Europe, you may want to consider working in countries such as Czech Republic, Poland, or Turkey since obtaining a work permit in some Eastern European countries is much easier.

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa (Zivnostensky List)
💰 Fee: €198 Euros ($218 USD)
📄 Required documents: valid passport, employment contract, health insurance, bachelor’s degree, TEFL Certificate, background check, medical report, biometric data
⏰ Valid for: One year

Not only is the Czech Republic one of the most popular backpacking destinations, it is also a viable option for English teachers abroad. While the salary isn’t as high as Western European countries, the low cost of living counterbalances this, making it a desirable location for teachers.

If you are a non-EU resident, you will need to apply for a work visa to teach English in the Czech Republic. Teachers will have more success searching for work in a public school, as some private language schools require their teachers to have a Czech business license or EU citizenship.

📌 How to apply: The Czech Republic Visa Application Requirements

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa (D-type visa)
💰 Fee: €80 ($88 USD)
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, application form, employment contract, background check, proof of accommodation
⏰ Valid for: 3 years

Rife with historical architecture, hearty food, and vast planes juxtaposed with beautiful mountains, Poland can also offer English teachers a moderately good salary in a low cost of living country. Teaching English in Poland will allow teachers to gain insight into a culture which has existed for almost a millenia.

If you are a non-EU teacher, you will need to apply for the D-type visa before coming to Poland. You can search for jobs or programs online, however, some teachers opt for arriving on a tourist visa and looking for work once in-country. During this time, you can also apply for the Temporary Residence Permit.

📌 How to apply: Visas - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa
💰 Fee: $130 USD for work visa and $60 USD for residency permit
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, application, background check, employment contract
⏰ Valid for: 1 year

Teaching jobs in Turkey are abundant and any respectable school here will help you obtain and pay for your residency visa -- which you'll need in order to legally work here. Depending on your nationality, you should be able to enter Turkey on a tourist visa, and apply for a work visa later, once you've found a job.

📌 How to apply: Work visa in Turkey

Thanks to beautiful beaches, rugged mountains, and diverse variety of cultures, Latin America is another popular destination for ESL teachers and seasoned travelers alike. Similar to Asia, the visa process in the region tends to be pretty relaxed. In countries such as Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, a tourist visa can be easily arranged upon arrival.

Typically, the legal requirements to teach English in many Latin American countries are less strict than teaching English in Europe or East Asia. However, having a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate, and a clear background check will certainly give you an advantage in a rather competitive job market.

Read more: How to Find a Paid Job Teaching English in Latin America

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa (Temporary Residence Visa)
💰 Fee: $250 USD or Euros consular fee, and also migration fee of $600 USD (potentially paid by employer)
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, entry permit, background check, employment contract
⏰ Valid for: One year

From the colorful architecture of Buenos Aires to colossal ice glaciers, Argentina can certainly incite wanderlust in travelers from afar. English teachers in Argentina can benefit from immersing in a seductive culture of tango and its quenching panoply of wines, and can expect to earn around $800 to $1,200 USD a month in a country whose cost of living is around $600-$800 USD per month.

It’s important to note that teaching English in Argentina on a tourist visa or without a proper work permit is illegal and highly discouraged. Your employer in Argentina will help you obtain the work visa by submitting documents on your behalf.

📌 How to apply: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Argentina

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa ‘subject to contract’ (visa sujeto a contrato)
💰 Fee: Typically paid by employer (negotiable)
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, application, background check, employment contract
⏰ Valid for: One year

With a coastline of 4,000 miles, desert planes and geographical wonders such as Patagonia, Chile has so much to offer English teachers. While the salary for teaching English in Chile is not the highest, its low cost of living and hospitable culture more than makes up for this.

Your employer will help you obtain the proper visa to teach English in Chile. Be sure to ask about assistance regarding your visa during the interview process and insist that you’re provided with visa sponsorship. For more security, we suggest teaching in Latin America through a government sponsored program which can help you obtain a work visa.

📌 How to apply: Work Visa for Chile

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa or student visa
💰 Fee: 28,300 CRC or $50 USD for application and additional fees after approval
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, application form, background check, birth certificate
⏰ Valid for: 6 months (extended in-country)

Costa Rica’s emphasis on sustainability and conservation also means that its population is consistently ranked as one of the happiest in the world. In addition to a relaxed lifestyle and happy population, English teachers in Costa Rica can expect to earn around $800 - $1,000 USD per month.

Your school or company must sponsor your visa, which they may be less inclined to do if you want to teach English in Costa Rica for less than a year. You will need to provide the necessary documents to the migration office in San José. When you submit these documents, you will also need to provide documents proving that you have an employment contract with a school or company in Costa Rica.

📌 How to apply: Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa or student visa
💰 Fee: $30 USD
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, background check, application form,
⏰ Valid for: One year

While the salary for English teachers in Peru is relatively low compared to other countries, it's more than made up for with the experience it can provide its teachers. With wonders such as Machu Picchu, rainbow mountains, the imperial city of Cusco, Peru offers some of the most spectacular environments for English teachers.

While many teachers simply arrive on a tourist visa in order to work, you will need to apply for the business visa with the assistance of your employer in order to teach English in Peru legally. Work visas in Peru are inexpensive, and are usually valid for a year once obtained.

📌 How to apply: Visa HQ

The Middle East offers many different countries which are desirable for teachers due to their high and tax-free salaries, benefits, and also the glamorous lifestyle which they can offer. These countries include the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa
💰 Fee: 250 AED - 600 AED ($68 USD - $163 USD)
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, background check, bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification or teaching license
⏰ Valid for: 1 year

While maintaining traditional values and a glamorous lifestyle, the United Arab Emirates is a popular option for English teachers because of its high and untaxed salary. Teachers can expect to earn around $2,500 - $5,500 USD per month, in addition to employer benefits such as free accommodation, reimbursed airfare, health insurance, and more.

Obtaining a work visa for the UAE is not a difficult process if you have already been offered a job. Your recruiter or school will provide you with the necessary documents and guide you through the process. You will also need to legalize and authenticate some of your documents in order to obtain the visa.

📌 How to apply: Residence Visa for Working in the UAE

✏️ Type of visa: Work visa
💰 Fee: $50 USD for work visa or $137 USD for residency permit
📄 Required documents: Valid passport, application form from Ministry of Labour, background check, bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate or teaching license
⏰ Valid for: 1 year

Similar to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and offers a handsome salary for English teachers, with the typical salary ranging from $3,100 to $4,779 USD per month.

Your employer in Qatar will sponsor your visa, so you should receive plenty of assistance throughout the application. You will need to have secured a job before applying for the visa, and you will need to do it around 6 months in advance of your start date of teaching.

📌 How to apply: Work Visa Requirements in Qatar

As you can see from what we’ve outlined above, the visa process varies pretty widely from region to region and country to country -- but no matter where you go, don’t let the process scare you or overwhelm you.

Start gathering information well in advance of your departure by visiting the US Embassy website or your home country’s equivalent for entering a specific country, and start preparing your documents. Do your research, talk to other teachers abroad, and get started on your big adventure!

Prepare to teach English abroad:

• 10 Essential ESL Teaching Tools
• Beginners Guide to Teaching English Abroad: Tips for New TEFL Teachers
• 40+ TEFL Terms to Know Before Teaching Abroad