South Africa produces thousands of TEFL and TESOL graduates every year, and teaching English abroad has become one of the most popular routes for young South Africans to gain international experience, earn a decent salary, and see the world. Countries across Asia and the Middle East are actively recruiting English teachers — but before you can board a plane, you need to get your documents in order.
This guide explains exactly which documents you will need, how the legalisation process works, and what to expect depending on where you are heading.
Which Countries Hire South African English Teachers?
Asia: South Korea, Japan, China (mainland), Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Cambodia
Middle East: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman
Each country has its own visa requirements, but the documents they request are broadly similar. Where they differ — and this is crucial — is in how those documents must be authenticated.
The Core Documents You Will Need
1. Degree Certificate (Bachelor’s Degree or Higher)
Most countries require at least a bachelor’s degree to issue a work visa for English teaching. This is a non-negotiable requirement in South Korea, Japan, China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The degree does not need to be in education or English — any bachelor’s degree will usually qualify.
Your original degree certificate will need to be legalised or apostilled. See our academic qualification legalisation page for more detail.
2. TEFL / TESOL / CELTA Certificate
A recognised TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate of at least 120 hours is required or strongly preferred by most employers. Because TEFL certificates are issued by private training providers, they are treated as private documents for legalisation purposes — they must first be notarised by a notary public before they can be apostilled or legalised.
3. Police Clearance Certificate
A South African Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), issued by the SAPS Criminal Record Centre, is required by virtually every country. See our police clearance certificates page for more. Police clearance certificates typically have a validity period of six months — time the application carefully.
4. Medical Report or Health Certificate
Several countries — including China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — require a medical fitness report. Check the specific requirements for your destination.
5. Other Documents
Depending on the country: a notarised copy of your passport, ID document, academic transcripts, reference letters, and passport-sized photographs.
Apostille vs Full Legalisation: Which Route Do You Need?
Hague Convention Countries (Apostille Route)
For Hague Convention member countries, your documents need an apostille. TEFL destinations that accept apostilles include Japan and South Korea. See our apostille certificates page.
Non-Hague Countries (Full Legalisation Route)
For non-Hague countries, your documents must go through full legalisation. TEFL destinations requiring full legalisation include China, Vietnam, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Thailand. See our document legalisation page.
Comparison Table: Apostille vs Full Legalisation by Destination
| Destination | Hague Member? | Route Required | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Yes | Apostille (DIRCO / High Court) | 2–4 weeks |
| Japan | Yes | Apostille (DIRCO / High Court) | 2–4 weeks |
| China | No | Full legalisation (including Chinese embassy) | 4–8 weeks |
| Vietnam | No | Full legalisation (including Vietnamese embassy) | 4–8 weeks |
| Thailand | No | Full legalisation (including Thai embassy) | 3–6 weeks |
| UAE | No | Full legalisation (including UAE embassy) | 3–6 weeks |
| Saudi Arabia | No | Full legalisation (including Saudi embassy) | 4–8 weeks |
| Qatar | No | Full legalisation (including Qatari embassy) | 4–8 weeks |
SAQA Verification: Do You Need It?
Several countries — most notably China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia — require that your degree be verified by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). SAQA verification is a separate process from legalisation. You may need both: SAQA verification of your degree and legalisation of the degree certificate itself. SAQA processing times vary but can take several weeks.
Practical Tips and Planning Timeline
- 3–4 months before departure: Apply for police clearance. Order original certificates. Begin SAQA verification if required.
- 2–3 months before departure: Submit documents for notarisation, High Court authentication, and DIRCO processing.
- 1–2 months before departure: Collect legalised documents. Submit visa application. Complete medical examination if required.
- 2–4 weeks before departure: Follow up on visa processing. Make travel arrangements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting too late — the legalisation process has multiple steps, each with its own turnaround time
- Submitting certified copies instead of originals — DIRCO requires original documents for apostille
- Ignoring embassy-specific requirements — each embassy has its own rules
- Letting your police clearance expire
- Assuming SAQA is optional — if the destination country requires it, skipping SAQA will result in rejection
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I teach English abroad with just a TEFL certificate and no degree?
Some countries — particularly Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand — may accept teachers without a degree at private language schools. However, most countries that issue formal work visas (South Korea, Japan, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia) require at least a bachelor’s degree.
Does my degree need to be in English or Education?
No. Most TEFL employers and visa authorities accept any bachelor’s degree, regardless of the field of study.
How long does it take to get a South African police clearance certificate?
The SAPS Criminal Record Centre typically takes 2 to 8 weeks. This should be one of the first documents you apply for. See our police clearance certificates page for more information.
Do I need to legalise my TEFL certificate separately from my degree?
Yes. Each document is legalised individually. Because a TEFL certificate is a private document, it must first be notarised before it can be submitted for further authentication.
Can I handle the legalisation process from abroad if I have already left South Africa?
Yes, but you will need someone in South Africa to handle the physical submission of documents. Our office regularly assists clients who are already overseas. Contact us to discuss your requirements, or send a WhatsApp message to +27 73 686 9078.
Get Your TEFL Documents Legalised
If you are preparing to teach English abroad, Louwrens Koen Attorneys in Pretoria can handle the entire process. Our offices are located near the High Court and DIRCO, and we have been processing document legalisations since 1995.
Contact us to get started, or send a WhatsApp message to +27 73 686 9078 for a quick response.