What's in this guide
- Quick checklist (at-a-glance)
- Before you apply: documents & qualifications
- Visas, work permits & registrations (how to check)
- Money & contract basics
- Health, insurance & safety
- Accommodation, arrival & first weeks
- Teaching readiness: materials, classroom & legal boundaries
- Finances & taxes (what to check)
- Scams & red flags when hiring
- On-contract: renewals, resignations & exit checklist
- Country-specific quick links (authorities)
- Further reading & templates
- Sources & last-checked date
- What we couldn't establish
Quick practical checklist and step-by-step guidance for candidates planning to move abroad to teach English. This page lists the documents to prepare, checks to run, and common red flags, with official sources checked on 27/09/2026.
- Quick checklist (at-a-glance)
- Before you apply: documents & qualifications
- Visas, work permits & registrations (how to check)
- Money & contract basics
- Health, insurance & safety
- Accommodation, arrival & first weeks
- Teaching readiness: materials, classroom & legal boundaries
- Finances & taxes (what to check)
- Scams & red flags when hiring
- On-contract: renewals, resignations & exit checklist
- Country-specific quick links (authorities)
- FAQs (common quick answers)
- Further reading & templates
- Sources & last-checked date
- What we couldn’t establish
Quick checklist (at-a-glance)
Action items to tick off before you book travel or sign a contract. Keep originals and at least two certified copies of key documents. Store scanned copies securely online.
- Valid passport with at least six months remaining.
- Appropriate visa or permit application checklist for the target country/program.
- Original diploma(s) and certified copies; apostille/attestation if required.
- Criminal record check / police certificate, apostilled if requested.
- CV in English and contactable references.
- Relevant teaching certificates (CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL, TEFL certificates) with supporting documentation.
- Written contract offered by employer, saved and printed.
- International health insurance covering repatriation and hospitalization.
- Proof of initial funds and confirmed short-term accommodation.
- Emergency contacts: embassy/consulate, local employer contact, trusted local contact.
Each item above links to the detailed section below; use the anchors to jump to specifics.
Before you apply: documents & qualifications
Most employers ask for a core set of documents. The exact list varies by country and employer; always confirm requirements with the embassy and the employer in writing.
Diplomas and academic records: prepare originals plus at least two certified copies. Some programmes or immigration authorities require an apostille or equivalent attestation. If an apostille is requested, obtain it from the competent authority in your issuing country before you leave.
Criminal record checks: obtain a criminal record certificate from your home country. If the destination requires an apostille or embassy/legalisation, start this process early because turnaround times vary.
Teaching certificates: CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are documented in the sources below. CELTA includes at least 120 hours of contact, including assessed teaching practice with real learners, as detailed by Cambridge English. Trinity CertTESOL details guided learning hours and qualification level. If you plan to rely on a short TEFL course, check its total hours and whether it includes observed teaching practice.
Medical and vaccination documents: some countries request a medical certificate or specific vaccinations. Check the official entry requirements for your destination before booking travel.
Visas, work permits & registrations (how to check)
Visa rules differ by nationality, destination and programme. Use official government or programme pages as the source of truth.
How to confirm requirements
Contact the embassy or consulate of the country where you will work. Consult the immigration authority or the official programme page (for example, the JET Programme FAQ and EPIK pages listed in sources). Note the date of the page you consult and keep screenshots or saved PDFs of key guidance.
Common checks
Check whether your nationality is eligible for the specific work visa type the employer sponsors (for example, E-2 in Korea or the JET placement procedures for Japan). If applying to a national programme, follow the programme’s published process and deadlines. For private employers, ask the employer to confirm which visa they will sponsor and ask for written guidance on the steps and timelines.
Always retain copies of submitted visa application forms, receipts, and correspondence with immigration or the employer.
Money & contract basics
Before you sign or travel, get a written contract that specifies pay, benefits and key clauses. Do not accept verbal assurances as a substitute for a written offer.
What to check in the contract:
- Salary specification: gross and net presentation, payment currency and frequency.
- Primes and allowances: housing, transport, arrival allowance or flight reimbursement if offered.
- Working hours, holiday entitlement and sick leave provisions.
- Duration of contract and renewal terms.
- Resignation and termination clauses, notice periods and any penalties.
- Health insurance provision and scope.
- Clarification on whether private lessons are permitted and under what conditions.
Our research’s official sources include EPIK salary & benefits and JET remuneration pages; consult them for programme-specific pay and benefits and note the date of consultation.
Ask the employer to send the final contract in writing well before you travel. Keep the signed copy and photo or PDF backups.
Health, insurance & safety
International health insurance should cover repatriation, hospitalisation and liability. Confirm any local health registration requirements with your employer and the local authorities.
Carry copies of prescriptions and a letter from your doctor if you travel with controlled medications. If vaccinations are required, obtain the official certificate and store a scanned copy.
Keep emergency contacts accessible and register with your country’s embassy or consulate on arrival if the service is offered.
Accommodation, arrival & first weeks
Confirm whether housing is provided. If you accept employer-provided accommodation, take dated photos and a written inventory at move-in. Keep a dated record of any damages noted on arrival.
Priorities on arrival:
- Complete employer induction and meet HR/contact person.
- Open a local bank account if required for salary deposit.
- Register with local authorities or obtain a residence card where applicable.
- Set up a local phone number and emergency contact methods.
Teaching readiness: materials, classroom & legal boundaries
Prepare lesson plans, classroom management strategies and a small set of ready-to-use resources. If your qualification included observed teaching practice, keep documentation of those hours as employers may ask for proof.
Legal boundaries: clarify permitted activities under your work visa. Do not teach privately or take on additional paid work until you are certain your visa permits it. If in doubt, seek confirmation from the embassy or a qualified adviser.
Finances & taxes (what to check)
Clarify payment method, pay schedule, and statutory deductions in writing. Ask the employer for an example pay slip or written explanation of deductions.
Tax responsibility varies by country and by residence status. For clarity on your obligations both at home and abroad, consult a qualified tax adviser or the relevant tax authority; do not rely on informal estimates.
Scams & red flags when hiring
Common warning signs:
- Employer asks for placement fees or tuition before a contract is signed.
- Employer requests your passport to process paperwork without a secure explanation or written agreement.
- Promise of a visa or work rights without a written contract.
- Pressure to enter the country on a tourist visa to “try lessons”.
- Offers that seem far above market rates without verifiable documentation.
If you encounter a red flag, pause recruitment, request written clarification and verify the employer’s credentials through official channels.
On-contract: renewals, resignations & exit checklist
Before you sign, note renewal terms and exit procedures. Save paperwork that documents your employment dates and duties. On departure, arrange final pay, tax certificates and any required exit clearance documents well in advance.
Country-specific quick links (authorities)
- Cambridge English — About the CELTA course — cambridgeenglish.org (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Cambridge English — CELTA syllabus PDF — cambridgeenglish.org (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Trinity College — CertTESOL qualification page — trinityrock-stage.trinitycollege.com (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Trinity College — CertTESOL resources — trinitycollege.com (consulted 27/09/2026)
- EPIK — Salary & Benefits — epik.go.kr (consulted 27/09/2026)
- JET Programme — FAQ / Remuneration — jetprogramme.org (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Acción Educativa Exterior (MEFPD) — Auxiliares convocatoria / baremo 2026-2027 — aee.educacionfpydeportes.gob.es (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Acción Educativa Exterior (MEFPD) — Auxiliares foreigners — aee.educacionfpydeportes.gob.es (consulted 27/09/2026)
Do I need a TEFL?
That depends on the employer and country. Some employers value or require CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL; check job adverts and ask the employer which qualifications they accept. See the Cambridge and Trinity pages linked above for course details.
Can I teach with a tourist visa?
Teaching on a tourist or visa-exempt entry is illegal in the countries covered by this guide. Consequences may include fines, deportation and re-entry bans. Ensure a proper work visa is in place before starting paid teaching.
When should I get a criminal record check apostilled?
Obtain the check and apostille before you apply if the destination or employer requests it. Processing times vary, so start early.
Further reading & templates
Suggested templates to prepare yourself: printable checklist, email template to request a full contract from an employer, inventory checklist for employer-provided housing. If no templates are provided with this page, consider creating them based on the checklists above.
Sources & last-checked date
The official pages below were consulted on 27/09/2026. Before you sign a contract or book a flight, confirm current rules with the embassy or consulate of the country where you will work, and with the official programme if you apply through one.
- Cambridge English — About the CELTA course — cambridgeenglish.org (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Cambridge English — CELTA syllabus PDF — cambridgeenglish.org (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Trinity College — CertTESOL qualification page — trinityrock-stage.trinitycollege.com (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Trinity College — CertTESOL resources — trinitycollege.com (consulted 27/09/2026)
- EPIK — Salary & Benefits — epik.go.kr (consulted 27/09/2026)
- JET Programme — FAQ / Remuneration — jetprogramme.org (consulted 27/09/2026)
- UK Embassy / Japan — JET conditions example — uk.emb-japan.go.jp (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Acción Educativa Exterior (MEFPD) — Auxiliares convocatoria / baremo 2026-2027 — aee.educacionfpydeportes.gob.es (consulted 27/09/2026)
- Acción Educativa Exterior (MEFPD) — Auxiliares foreigners — aee.educacionfpydeportes.gob.es (consulted 27/09/2026)
What we couldn’t establish
The following items were not confirmed in the sources available to us and are therefore not stated as facts on this page:
Keep reading in this section
Elena Vogel
Elena worked for six years as a paralegal on work-visa and immigration files before switching to writing full-time. She covers the paperwork side of teaching abroad — apostilles, background checks, health insurance and the…
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