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Guides

Visa, salary, certification, interview and life-abroad guides for teaching in Asia

Country & Visa

What to know before you go

Visa types, work conditions, job markets and the documents each country expects.

  • KR

    South Korea

    E-2 Teaching Visa

    Processing time4–6 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Visa application
    • Employment contract
    • Apostilled Bachelor’s Degree
    • Apostilled Criminal Background Check

    The classic first move. Housing, flights and a completion bonus are standard.

  • JP

    Japan

    Instructor / Specialist in Humanities

    Processing time6–12 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Visa application
    • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

    More competitive, but the pay and quality of life are excellent.

  • CN

    China

    Z Visa + Work Permit

    Processing time6–8 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Apostilled/Authenticated Degree
    • Apostilled/Authenticated Criminal Background Check
    • Health certificate
    • Employment contract

    Strict paperwork, but very high demand for qualified teachers.

  • TW

    Taiwan

    Work Permit + ARC

    Processing time1–2 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport
    • Application
    • Degree / academic credentials
    • Employment contract
    • Employer documents
    • Certified Criminal Record Check

    Fast processing and a famously friendly welcome for teachers.

  • VN

    Vietnam

    Work Permit + TRC

    Processing time2–3 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Health certificate
    • Legalized/Apostilled Degree or Qualification Documents
    • Legalized/Apostilled Criminal Background Check
    • Experience documents, where applicable
    • Employer documents

    Low cost of living and a huge, growing demand for English.

  • TH

    Thailand

    Non-Immigrant B + Work Permit

    Processing time4–6 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Employment/School letter
    • Academic qualification certificate
    • Criminal Background Check, where required
    • Teacher qualification/license documents, where applicable
    • Employer/School documents

    International schools pay well; language centres suit first-timers.

  • MY

    Malaysia

    Employment Pass

    Processing time1–3 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport
    • Employment/company documents
    • Qualification documents
    • Employer approval/support documents

    English is widely spoken, so the culture shock is gentle.

  • SG

    Singapore

    Employment Pass / S Pass

    Processing time3–8 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport
    • Employer’s business profile
    • Qualification Verification Proof
    • Additional documents if requested

    The premium market in Asia — very high pay, highest bar.

  • ID

    Indonesia

    KITAS + Work Permit

    Processing time5–8 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport
    • Sponsor/employer documents
    • Work authorization/RPTKA-related documents
    • Qualification documents
    • Other immigration documents as required

    Popular for the lifestyle, especially in Bali and Jakarta.

  • HK

    Hong Kong

    Employment Visa (NET scheme and private)

    Processing time4–6 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport / Travel Document
    • Recent Photo
    • Proof of Academic Qualifications
    • Proof of Relevant Work Experience
    • Employment Contract / Letter of Appointment
    • Employer’s Business Registration Certificate
    • Employer’s Financial Standing / Company Information

    Higher salaries and a strong international school scene.

  • PH

    Philippines

    9G Working Visa

    Processing time6–8 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Employment contract
    • Proof of academic qualifications
    • Employer/petitioner documents
    • Immigration application forms
    • Other supporting documents as required

    Strong university and international school demand.

  • KH

    Cambodia

    E-Class Visa + Work Permit

    Processing time1–2 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Employment contract
    • Physical/Health Check Certificate
    • Employer verification
    • Insurance, where required

    The easiest entry point in the region, with quick processing.

Processing times may vary depending on nationality, employer application timeline, document preparation, and government processing.

Salary Guide

Typical monthly pay across Asia

Entry-level to mid-role pay guidance by country — and how it shifts by age group and school type.

CountryMonthly range (USD)
  • China$1,800 – $3,200
  • Japan$2,100 – $3,000
  • South Korea$2,000 – $2,700
  • Taiwan$1,800 – $2,400
  • Vietnam$1,500 – $2,300
  • Thailand$1,200 – $2,000

Many packages also include housing, flight reimbursement and contract completion bonuses. Always compare total compensation, not just base salary.

By age group

  • KindergartenYoung learners, play-based lessons$1,600 – $2,800
  • ElementaryPrimary & public school roles$1,500 – $2,600
  • AdultsBusiness & corporate training$1,200 – $3,000

By school type

  • Public school$1,600 – $3,000
  • Private academy$1,600 – $2,800
  • International school$3,000 – $5,500

Certificate Guide

Which certification do you need?

TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, PGCE and teaching licences compared — what each one covers, how long it takes, and which jobs ask for it.

  • TEFL

    Widely accepted

    A common entry-level qualification for teaching English abroad. A 120-hour TEFL is widely accepted, although requirements vary by country and school.

    Duration
    1–3 months online
    Cost
    $150 – $500
    Best for
    Entry-level teaching & general ESL roles

  • TESOL

    Classroom-focused option

    TESOL courses can provide practical teaching methodology and classroom skills, making them a good option for teachers who want additional training.

    Duration
    4–8 weeks
    Cost
    $200 – $600
    Best for
    Teachers seeking additional training

  • CELTA

    Highly recognised

    A Cambridge qualification with assessed teaching practice. It requires more time and investment and is particularly valued for professional English teaching careers.

    Duration
    4–5 weeks full-time
    Cost
    $1,500 – $2,500
    Best for
    Professional ELT careers

  • PGCE

    For qualified teachers

    A postgraduate teaching qualification recognised by international schools. Usually built on a bachelor’s degree plus supervised school placements.

    Duration
    1 year full-time
    Cost
    $9,000 – $12,000
    Best for
    International schools & long-term careers

  • Teaching License

    Government-issued

    A state or national teaching licence that validates your qualification as a certified teacher. Often required by the top-tier international schools.

    Duration
    Varies by country
    Cost
    Application fees
    Best for
    Licensed teacher roles & premium schools

Which certificate suits which job

  • Language academy (ESL)

    TEFL / TESOL

  • Public school programmes

    Degree + TEFL

  • International school

    PGCE / Licence + Degree

  • Business / corporate training

    CELTA or equivalent

What you need at each level

New to teaching
TEFL / TESOL
Career teacher
CELTA (or above)
International schools
Degree + Licence + CELTA

Whatever you choose, make sure the course is accredited and includes at least 120 hours — some schools and programmes reject shorter courses.

Interview Guide

Walk in ready to impress

The questions schools ask, how to run a demo lesson, and the interview and CV tips that make the difference.

Questions you’ll be asked

  1. 01Why do you want to teach in Asia?
  2. 02How would you handle a class that will not settle down?
  3. 03Describe your favourite lesson and why it worked.
  4. 04How do you support a student who is far behind the rest?
  5. 05What would you do with a 40-minute class and no materials?
  6. 06How do you get quiet students to speak up?
  7. 07What is your classroom management style?
  8. 08How do you give feedback without discouraging students?

Demo lesson

  • Keep it to 10–15 minutes with one clear objective
  • Use visuals and interaction rather than just talking
  • Show energy, gesture and eye contact with the “class”
  • End with a quick check that they learned the target

Interview tips

  • Test your camera, mic and lighting before online interviews
  • Ask about housing, class size and contract length
  • Prepare two short stories about past teaching wins
  • Send a short thank-you message within 24 hours

CV & resume tips

  • Lead with certifications and years of experience
  • Match keywords to the job posting
  • Quantify results — class sizes, score gains
  • Keep it to one or two clean, skimmable pages

Life Abroad Guide

Settle in like a local

Housing, banking, transport, healthcare, budgeting and the cultural know-how that makes your first months abroad smooth.

  • Housing

    • Many schools provide an apartment or a monthly housing allowance
    • Furnished one-room flats are standard in Korea and Japan
    • Expect a deposit (key money) in some markets — confirm who pays

  • Banking

    • Open a local account once your residence card is issued
    • You will need your passport and proof of address
    • Keep an international card as a backup for the first weeks

  • Transportation

    • Subway and bus passes are cheap and reliable in major cities
    • A T-money or IC card covers trains, buses and convenience stores
    • Ride-hailing apps vary — set up a local one on arrival

  • Healthcare

    • National health insurance is usually automatic with a work visa
    • Most clinics are affordable and English-speaking in big cities
    • Bring any prescriptions with a doctor’s note for customs

  • Cost of living

    • Rent, groceries and transport are the three biggest monthly costs
    • Eating local keeps budgets low; imported goods cost more
    • Build a monthly budget before you arrive, not after

  • Cultural tips

    • Learn basic greetings and “thank you” in the local language
    • Punctuality and respect for seniority go a long way at school
    • Observe local customs around shoes, tipping and personal space

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