Visa Information and Resources
Visa requirements differ from one country to the next. Here on engGo we have listed the latest information, links, and further resources on getting a visa to teach ESL abroad.
What is a Visa?
A visa is an indication that a person is authorized to enter the country which issued the visa. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport. Some countries do not require a visa in some situations, such as a result of reciprocal treaty arrangements. The country issuing the visa typically attaches various conditions to the visa, such as the time that the visa is valid for, the period that the applicant may stay in the country, whether the visa is valid for more than one visit, what the visa entitles the applicant to do in the country, and so on.
Some visas can be granted on arrival or by prior application at the country's embassy or consulate, or sometimes through a specialized travel agency with permission from the issuing country in the country of departure. If there is no embassy or consulate in one's home country, then one would have to travel to a third country (or apply by post) and try to get a visa issued there.
Types of Visas
Each country has a multitude of categories of visas and with various names. Generally, the visa required for teaching in another country is called a "Work Visa" which is a visa for approved employment in the host country. Examples of these are the Z visa for China, E1 or E2 visa for Korea, and the Non-Immigrant B visa for Thailand.
Brazil Visa
Visas for Brazil must be obtained prior to arrival, visas cannot be issued upon arriving in Brazil. To apply for a visa you must go to a consulate or embassy in person or use a visa service/visa agency. As a general rule, visas for Brazil take about 5 business days to be processed. For teachers wanting to teach in Brazil or for those who have a contract to teach in Brazil, usually you start off with a Tourist visa and then apply for a Work visa once in Brazil at the local office of the Ministry of Labor.
Check the link for the Embassy for additional information: Embassy of Brazil in Washington, D.C., USA
China Visa
Getting a Z visa is the first step to becoming legally employed as a teacher in China. In order to obtain this visa, the following requirements must be met. You must have an invitation from your school; a copy of your Degree; a locally obtained health and medical check that includes blood work; and passport photos. Your school will process these forms. You can obtain your visa before or after you enter China. However, it has been recommended that you acquire the Z visa before leaving your home country. It will take about 7 business days to process the visa.
Check the link for the Embassy for additional information and downloadable medical check and visa forms: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Washington, D.C., USA
Japan Visa
To legally work as a teacher in Japan you need to get an Instructor visa (for ESL jobs in schools up to and including high school level) or a Working visa (for teaching positions at universities and colleges). A visa cannot be acquired after arriving in Japan, they must be issued by an embassy or consulate.
Check the link for the Embassy for additional information and downloadable visa forms: Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., USA
South Korea Visa
There are two types of general teaching visas for South Korea, the E1 visa which is for Professors working at educational institutes higher than a junior college, and the E2 visa which is for those Teaching Foreign Languages. For the E1 visa application you will need your Degree Certificate, official transcripts, an employment contract, notarized references, an apostilled criminal record check, and a health check form.
Check the link for the Embassy for additional information and downloadable forms: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, D.C., USA
Thailand Visa
To legally work as a teacher in Thailand you need to have a Non-Immigrant B visa as well as a work permit. You must obtain the visa prior to arrival and your employer should apply for the work permit on your behalf through the Department of Employment, part of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Check the link for the Embassy for additional information and downloadable forms: Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., USA