Teach Abroad:
Requirements & Comparison
An honest comparison of international teaching destinations. Kids English Thailand coordinates verified school placements across Northern Thailand. For Hong Kong, our liaison is managed by Experior Asia. Below, we compare requirements, salaries, and visas so you can make an informed decision.
Where Can You Teach in 2026?
Review requirements, typical compensation, and the responsible hiring body for each destination.
Thailand
Verified public and Northern partner schools. Low living overhead (12,000 to 16,000 THB/mo) creates 15,000 to 20,000+ THB in net monthly savings. School employs directly; KET coordinates Non-B visa, digital work permit, and Sukhothai orientation.
Hong Kong
Fast-paced learning centre teaching in an iconic global metropolis. Experior Asia coordinates and sponsors official Hong Kong employment visas directly for accepted university graduates.
South Korea
Public school English Program in Korea (EPIK) provides flights, studio accommodation, and severance pay. KET does not hire in Korea. Apply directly via the government portal.
Japan
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme offers prestigious assistant language teacher posts. Highly competitive with early annual deadlines. KET does not recruit for Japan.
Vietnam
High classroom demand in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City across language centres and bilingual schools. Requires apostilled degree and in-country medical screening. KET does not hire in Vietnam.
Cambodia
The primary country in Southeast Asia offering legal work permits without a university degree. If you lack a degree but want to stay in Thailand, explore KET's free volunteer residency.
2026 Country Decision Matrix
Quick reference for qualifications, monthly savings, and hiring models across major teaching hubs.
| Country | Responsible Body | Degree Mandatory? | Est. Net Monthly Savings | Housing Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | KET Partner Schools | Yes (Bachelor in any field) | $500 to $600+ USD (North) | KET assists private studio (3k to 8k THB) |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Experior Asia | Yes (Bachelor required) | $600 to $1,200+ USD | Assisted flat share or studio |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | EPIK / Korean Gov | Yes (Bachelor required) | $800 to $1,200 USD | Provided free studio apartment |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | JET / Private Interac | Yes (Bachelor required) | $400 to $700 USD | Self-arranged or subsidized |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | Independent / Centers | Yes (Bachelor required) | $500 to $900 USD | Self-arranged private apartment |
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | Independent Schools | No (Legal without degree) | $200 to $400 USD | Self-arranged private apartment |
KET partner bilingual and English Program schools in Bangkok strictly require a minimum of two years of verified teaching experience in Thailand first. If you are new, start in our Northern network (Sukhothai or Chiang Mai). Review our capital career pathway on the Teach in Bangkok Transfer Track.
International Document Standards
Regardless of your destination, legal teaching work permits require original physical paperwork in your hand luggage.
🎓 Bachelor Degree
Mandatory for paid work in Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan. In Thailand, your diploma must remain strictly unlaminated so embossed seals and watermarks can be physically verified.
📜 University Transcripts
Sealed, official transcripts are inspected by licensing bodies like Thailand's Khurusapha to verify course credits and degree authenticity.
🛡️ Police Clearance
Clean national-level background check (FBI, DBS, ACIC, or Garda) issued within 6 months of departure for child safeguarding.
📖 120-Hour TEFL
Recommended across partner schools. A 120-hour TEFL provides practical lesson structures. In Thailand, it is recommended for classroom confidence, but not a statutory visa mandate.
Never laminate your degree certificate, transcripts, or police clearance. Thai ministry officials physically inspect raised university stamps and consular seals. Lamination voids the document for work permit processing and forces expensive university replacements.
Essential Expat App Toolkit
Download these communication, transport, and banking tools before boarding your flight.
Wise Transfer
Zero-fee currency exchange and cheap salary remittances to home bank accounts.
LINE Messenger
Primary faculty, school department, and coordinator communication app in Thailand.
Google Translate
Camera OCR tool to translate Thai notices, student worksheets, and food menus.
Grab & Bolt
Cashless ride hailing and street food delivery across Thai towns and cities.
Teach Abroad FAQs
Does KET place teachers in countries outside Thailand?
Kids English Thailand places educators directly in Thailand with our verified partner schools. For Hong Kong, we collaborate with our official partner Experior Asia. KET does not recruit for or place teachers in South Korea, Japan, or the UAE, but we provide verified public portal links to help you compare options.
What are the legal requirements to teach English in Thailand?
To teach legally in paid school roles in Thailand, you must hold an unlaminated Bachelor degree in any field, a national criminal record check, and a valid passport. A 120-hour TEFL is recommended. Non-native speakers must demonstrate verified English proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEIC 860+).
Read complete standards on our Visa and Work Permit Guide.
What salary can I expect teaching in Northern Thailand?
Standard public and Northern partner schools pay 30,000 to 36,000 THB net per month. Private schools or Bangkok English Programs pay 40,000+ THB net, but Bangkok partner schools require two years of verified teaching in Thailand first.
Explore real expense breakdowns on our Salary & Savings Guide.
Can I teach abroad without a university degree?
For paid salaried employment in Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, a Bachelor degree is legally mandatory for work permit sponsorship. If you do not hold a degree, you can join KET's free community volunteer residency in Sukhothai ($0 placement fee) or explore independent teaching in Cambodia.
Review our no-degree track on the Volunteer Residency Page.
How does KET's visa process work in Thailand?
The hiring partner school employs you directly. KET coordinates your school sponsorship letters, WP-3 pre-approval, Non-Immigrant B visa documentation, and Section 60 digital work permit with provincial employment offices. KET charges $0 in placement fees to teachers.
How much can I realistically save each month?
In Northern Thailand, low living costs (12,000 to 16,000 THB per month) allow teachers to save 15,000 to 20,000+ THB each month ($500 to $600+ USD). High-paying markets like Hong Kong ($600 to $1,200 USD) and South Korea ($800 to $1,200 USD) offer high cash savings, but require higher living overhead or intense working hours.
Can couples and friends be placed together in Thailand?
Yes. KET regularly arranges joint placements for couples and friends, matching you to the same school or ensuring you teach in the same town with shared housing assistance.
What is the Sukhothai orientation week?
First-time teachers attend KET's 5-night arrival week in Sukhothai (Saturday Bangkok Mo Chit 2 pickup to Thursday morning checkout). The orientation fee is $400 USD (settled on Sunday in cash as 13,000 THB), covering private hotel accommodation, training meals, a 5G Thai SIM card, and an escort to your school.
Review the full itinerary at our Sukhothai Orientation Week Guide.