60 DAY TEFL · GUIDES THAT ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION

visa-free entry · 2026

Can you teach English in Georgia without a degree?

NO DEGREE, EASY ENTRY
2026 update

the short answer

Yes, in many cases — Georgia's private schools and language centres often hire non-degree teachers, and many nationalities can enter visa-free for up to a year, making it low-risk to try. Job volume is smaller than in Southeast Asia, and government-linked teaching programmes may have their own separate criteria. Get a 120-hour+ accredited TEFL, target Tbilisi first, and check current programme or embassy rules if you're applying to anything government-affiliated.

Key facts

DegreeNot required at most private schools
TEFL hours120+ accredited recommended
VisaVisa-free entry for many nationalities, up to ~1 year
Typical pay$400-$900/month, language-school pay
Best cityTbilisi
Hardest partSmaller job market than Southeast Asia
Who this suitsTeachers wanting low-risk entry and Europe-adjacent living

step one, always

Get the certificate before you apply

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typical, not guaranteed

Your timeline

  1. 1

    Get TEFL certified

    120-hour accredited course is generally sufficient for Tbilisi's private schools and language centres.

    1-4 weeks
  2. 2

    Check your visa-free entry length

    Many nationalities can enter Georgia visa-free for around a year, letting you job hunt on the ground with low upfront risk.

    1-2 days
  3. 3

    Fly to Tbilisi and network

    Tbilisi has the country's main concentration of private schools, language centres and expat teacher networks.

    2-4 weeks
  4. 4

    Apply, including to government-linked programmes if eligible

    Some programmes placing teachers in Georgian public schools exist periodically — check current eligibility and degree requirements directly.

    2-6 weeks
  5. 5

    Start teaching

    Expect a smaller, closer-knit expat teaching community than in bigger Southeast Asian hubs.

    Ongoing

Why Georgia is a low-risk option

One underrated advantage of Georgia is how easy it is to simply go and look: many nationalities get roughly a year of visa-free entry, so you can arrive, interview locally, and start work without navigating a work-visa application from abroad first.

Where the jobs actually are

Tbilisi has the country's main private language school and tutoring market, along with periodic government-linked programmes that have historically placed foreign teachers in public schools. These programmes change over time and sometimes have their own separate degree or experience requirements, so check current listings rather than assuming access.

Pay and lifestyle trade-offs

Language-school pay in Georgia tends to run $400-$900 a month, on the lower end globally, but Tbilisi's cost of living is also low, and many teachers are drawn by the culture, food and easy travel connections to nearby Europe and the Caucasus rather than income.

What to double-check before committing

Confirm whether a specific school or programme requires a degree — private language centres are typically flexible, but any government-affiliated placement may not be. Also verify current visa-free entry length for your passport, since these terms can be updated by the Georgian government.

what people actually ask

FAQs

Can I really teach in Georgia without a degree?

Yes, at most private language schools and centres in Tbilisi. Government-linked programmes placing teachers in public schools sometimes have their own separate criteria, so check the current requirements for any specific programme before applying.

Do I need a visa to start teaching in Georgia?

Many nationalities can enter visa-free for roughly a year, which makes it easy to arrive and job hunt without arranging a work visa in advance. Confirm your specific passport's entry terms before booking flights.

How much do English teachers earn in Georgia?

Typically $400 to $900 a month at private schools and language centres, which is modest globally but matches Tbilisi's relatively low cost of living. This is standard language-school pay, not a high-earning market.

Is Tbilisi the best place to look for teaching jobs?

Yes, it has by far the largest concentration of private schools, language centres and teaching demand in the country. Smaller cities have far fewer formal opportunities for foreign teachers.

What TEFL certificate should I get for Georgia?

A 120-hour accredited TEFL course is generally enough for most private school and language centre roles. If you're eyeing a government-linked programme, check its specific certificate and experience requirements directly.

Get certified — then apply →