What official documentation do I need to Teach TEFL overseas?
Nearly all countries hiring TEFL teachers to teach English abroad require the following documents so as to process your Working Visa documentation:
- Updated Resume (including Middle and High school and years attended)
- Recent passport sized photo
- Bachelors Degree (not required by some countries)
– It will speed up processing if the name on your certificate is the same as the name on your passport
- Original TEFL Certificate:
– Usually a MINIMUM of a 120 Hour Certificate course is required
– A copy of a Hardcopy certificate is required
– It will speed up processing if the name on your certificate is the same as the name on your passport
– For ONLINE TEFL Teaching positions a Digital E-certificate is sufficient
- Passport copy
– Ensure your passport has a MINIMUM of 18 months validity remaining
- Completed Medical Report and blood test results
– A country specific Medical Report TEMPLATE should be sent to you by your school/employer
- COVID tests
– Specific details regarding this will be communicated to you by your school/employer
- Notarization and Legalization of Official documentation
– This requirement varies from country to country (eg It is required for PR China, South Korea etc)
– Details will be communicated to you by school/employer
- Reference Letter from a past teacher or employer
- Signed employment contract provided by school/employer
All documents MUST be clear, flat, color scanned copies of the ORIGINAL documents (not photos)
Whist each specific country may have particular document requirements to facilitate the provision of working visa documentation for that country, the list above will generally be required by all.
So that you can assist your school/employer with the speedy processing of your working visa documentation – you can try to have most of these documents ready to submit when you apply for a teaching position.
Planning Before = Challenging and Rewarding TEFL experience
