paperwork file
Nobody gets stuck on the course. They get stuck waiting six weeks for an apostille they ordered too late. This is the document stack most work-visa countries ask for, whichever country you are applying from, and roughly how long each bit takes.
the quick answer
| Degree | No degree | TEFL | Pay | Hardest part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original certificate plus transcript; copies often apostilled | TEFL, passport and police check still required by employers | Accredited certificate, sometimes notarised or apostilled | Budget roughly US$200–$550 (£150–£400) for checks, apostilles and courier | Apostille and embassy legalisation queues |
Check validity, blank pages and that your legal name matches every certificate exactly. A mismatch between your passport and degree name causes real delays.
Keep originals safe and clean scans to hand. Some routes want notarised copies, transcripts or a degree verification through an official service.
Every country has its own version: ACRO in the UK, an FBI identity history summary in the US, an RCMP certified check in Canada, an AFP national police check in Australia, Garda vetting in Ireland, and police clearance certificates in New Zealand and South Africa. Order the exact one your destination names, then get it legalised if required.
An apostille is your own government confirming a document is genuine — the FCDO in the UK, the Secretary of State plus US Department of State in America, Global Affairs in Canada, DFAT in Australia, DFA in Ireland, DIA in New Zealand, DIRCO in South Africa. Some countries then add embassy legalisation on top.
Originals in one waterproof wallet, encrypted scans in the cloud, and a one-page list of expiry dates. You will be asked for all of it again at the airport or the immigration office.
Run documents in parallel with your TEFL study rather than after it. That single change is usually what turns a six-month departure into a three-month one.
searched at 2am. answered.
Typically a passport, degree certificate and transcript, an accredited TEFL certificate, a recent criminal record check and, in many countries, apostilled copies of the degree and police check.
For most work-visa countries in East Asia, yes. The apostille is issued by the authority in the country that produced the document — the FCDO in the UK, the US Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, DFAT in Australia. Some countries additionally require embassy legalisation.
UK applicants are normally asked for ACRO, because it is designed for overseas use; some employers accept a DBS. Outside the UK the equivalents are the FBI check, RCMP check, AFP check, Garda vetting or a national police clearance. Order whichever your employer or embassy names in writing.
The UK FCDO standard service typically takes a couple of weeks with a faster premium option; US, Canadian and Australian routes run from a few days to several weeks. Add postage, and add several more weeks if embassy legalisation follows.
Realistically US$200–$550 (£150–£400) in total once you add the police certificate, apostilles, any translations and courier fees. Embassy legalisation and express services push it higher.
You will usually need a replacement from your university, as most immigration processes require the original or a certified copy. Request it as early as possible — universities can be slow.
Less often than the degree, but some countries and employers do ask. Choose a provider that can supply a hard-copy certificate, since apostilles cannot be issued for a PDF alone.
Carry the linking document — marriage certificate or deed poll — and expect to show it. Immigration officers need an unbroken paper trail between your passport and your degree.
the course call
Document requirements and authentication chains vary by destination and change over time. Follow the relevant government and embassy checklist exactly before paying for anything.
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