Guides

Practical advice on visas, salaries, interviews, and living abroad 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 Visa

    Processing time4–6 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Visa application form
    • Employment contract
    • Apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Apostilled criminal background check
    • Health statement (self-check form)

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

  • JP

    Japan

    Instructor / Engineer-Specialist in Humanities-International Services

    Processing time6–12 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Visa application form
    • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
    • Copy of bachelor’s degree
    • Proof of teaching experience (if applicable)
    • Signed employment contract
    • Employer business registration and license

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

  • CN

    China

    Z Visa (Work Visa) & Work Permit

    Processing time6–8 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Authenticated / apostilled criminal background check
    • Health certificate
    • Employment contract
    • TEFL certificate / proof of teaching experience

    Strict paperwork, but very high demand for qualified teachers.

  • TW

    Taiwan

    Resident Visa / Work Permit & ARC

    Processing time3–4 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Visa application form
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Employment contract
    • Employer documents / work permit
    • Authenticated / apostilled criminal background check
    • TEFL / TESOL certificate (if applicable)

    Fast processing and a famously friendly welcome for teachers.

  • VN

    Vietnam

    Work Permit + TRC

    Processing time6–10 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Health certificate
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Authenticated / apostilled criminal background check
    • Legalized TEFL / TESOL certificate (120+ hours)
    • Proof of teaching experience (if applicable)
    • Employer documents and employment contract

    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
    • Visa application form
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Authenticated / apostilled criminal background check
    • TEFL / TESOL certificate (120+ hours)
    • Teacher license documents (TCT waiver / license, public and private schools only)
    • Employment contract and school invitation letter
    • Employer / school registration documents

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

  • MY

    Malaysia

    Employment Pass (EP)

    Processing time2–4 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Visa application form
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Authenticated / apostilled criminal background check
    • TEFL / TESOL certificate (if applicable)
    • Employer documents and ESD approval letter

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

  • SG

    Singapore

    Employment Pass (EP) / S Pass

    Processing time3–6 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Qualification verification proof (MOM-approved)
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • TEFL / TESOL certificate (or CELTA / PGCE, if applicable)
    • Proof of teaching experience / CV
    • Employer business profile and employment contract

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

  • ID

    Indonesia

    KITAS + Work Permit

    Processing time5–8 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Authenticated / apostilled criminal background check
    • TEFL / TESOL certificate (120+ hours, or degree in English / Education)
    • Proof of teaching experience (2+ years)
    • Health certificate
    • Employer RPTKA approval and sponsor documents

    Popular for the lifestyle, especially in Bali and Jakarta.

  • HK

    Hong Kong

    Employment Visa / GEP

    Processing time4–6 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Visa application form (ID 990A)
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Authenticated / apostilled criminal background check
    • TEFL / TESOL certificate (120+ hours, or degree in English / Education)
    • Proof of teaching experience / CV
    • Employer sponsor documents and employment contract (ID 990B)

    Higher salaries and a strong international school scene.

  • PH

    Philippines

    9(G) Working Visa & AEP

    Processing time6–8 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • Alien Employment Permit (AEP) application form
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • Authenticated / apostilled criminal background check
    • TEFL / TESOL certificate (120+ hours, or degree in English / Education)
    • Proof of teaching experience / CV
    • Health certificate
    • Employer TIN, SEC registration and employment contract

    Strong university and international school demand.

  • KH

    Cambodia

    E-class Visa (EB Extension) & Work Permit

    Processing time1–2 weeks

    Key documents

    • Passport and photo
    • E-class (ordinary) visa entry stamp
    • Authenticated / apostilled bachelor’s degree
    • TEFL / TESOL certificate (120+ hours, if applicable)
    • Proof of teaching experience / CV
    • Health certificate
    • Employer work permit application and business registration

    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-level pay by country, age group and school type.

CountryMonthly range (USD)
  • China$1,600 – $3,200
  • Japan$1,800 – $2,400
  • South Korea$1,700 – $2,300
  • Taiwan$1,700 – $2,300
  • 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
  • Middle SchoolAcademies & public schools$1,600 – $2,700
  • High SchoolTest prep & international schools$1,700 – $3,000
  • UniversityFewer hours, longer holidays$1,600 – $3,000
  • AdultsLanguage centers & 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?

What each certification 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 the standard, although requirements vary by country and school.

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

  • TESOL

    Widely used

    A widely used qualification for teaching English to non-native speakers. Similar to TEFL, with course content and requirements varying by provider and program.

    Duration
    4–8 weeks
    Cost
    $150 – $500
    Best for
    Entry-level teaching & general ESL roles

  • CELTA

    Highly recognized

    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 – $2,700
    Best for
    Professional ELT careers

  • Trinity CertTESOL

    CELTA equivalent

    Awarded by Trinity College London. Widely accepted as equal to CELTA, with a similar length, cost and assessed teaching practice.

    Duration
    4–5 weeks full-time
    Cost
    $1,500 – $2,700
    Best for
    Professional ELT careers

  • PGCE

    For qualified teachers

    A postgraduate teaching qualification recognized 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 license that validates your qualification as a certified teacher. Often required by 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 programs

    Degree + TEFL

  • International school

    Degree + teaching license (PGCE or equivalent)

  • Business / corporate training

    CELTA or equivalent

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

Interview Guide

Walk in ready to impress

The questions schools ask, demo lesson tips and CV advice.

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 favorite 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

Everything you need to settle in during your first months abroad.

  • Housing

    • Many schools provide an apartment or a monthly housing allowance
    • Furnished studios are standard in Korea; in Japan, apartments are often unfurnished
    • 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 (Korea) or IC card (Japan) covers trains, buses and convenience stores
    • Ride-hailing apps vary — set up a local one on arrival

  • Healthcare

    • Check that health insurance is set up through your employer or the national scheme
    • Clinics are affordable, and many in big cities have English-speaking staff
    • Bring prescriptions with a doctor’s note, and check which medicines are restricted

  • 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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