60 DAY TEFL · GUIDES THAT ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION

the full checklist

What documents do you actually need to teach English abroad?

GATHER EARLY
2026 update

the short answer

Most teach-abroad work visas need the same core set: a TEFL certificate (120+ hours accredited), a degree certificate where required, a criminal background check, a passport with enough validity, passport photos, and sometimes a health check or medical certificate. Several of these need apostille or embassy legalisation. Start gathering documents as soon as you commit to a country, since authentication steps are the slowest part and queues move, not guaranteed.

Key facts

Core documentsPassport, degree, TEFL cert, background check
Often also neededPassport photos, health certificate, CV, reference letters
AuthenticationApostille and/or embassy legalisation, country-dependent
TEFL hours120+ accredited minimum
Processing time (documents)4-12 weeks typical, combined
Hardest partSequencing authentication steps correctly
Who this suitsAnyone about to start applying to schools

step one, always

Get the certificate before you apply

Get the accredited TEFL course

We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. You still choose the course.

typical, not guaranteed

Your timeline

  1. 1

    Get your TEFL certificate

    Accredited 120-hour minimum; Level 5 or CELTA if you want a stronger application.

    1-4 weeks
  2. 2

    Locate your original degree certificate and transcript

    Some universities take time to reissue or verify for older graduates.

    1 day-4 weeks
  3. 3

    Order your background check

    ACRO, DBS, FBI identity history summary, RCMP, AFP or Garda vetting depending on your country.

    2-8 weeks
  4. 4

    Notarise and apostille/legalise as needed

    Degree and background check often both need this, depending on destination.

    2-6 weeks
  5. 5

    Get passport photos, medical check, CV together

    Requirements vary by country — check the specific list before booking a photo or clinic appointment.

    1-2 weeks
  6. 6

    Submit full set with visa/job application

    Final visa processing time, separate from document-gathering time above.

    2-8 weeks
Start the 120-hour / Level 5 course

The core document set, in plain terms

Nearly every teach-abroad application, regardless of country, eventually asks for some combination of: a valid passport (often with 6+ months validity remaining), an accredited TEFL certificate, a degree certificate and transcript (where the country requires a degree), and a criminal background check from your home country. Beyond that, requirements branch depending on where you're headed.

Some countries add a health certificate or medical check, particularly ones with stricter work-visa medical screening. Others want passport-style photos in a specific format, a signed CV, or reference letters from previous employers or professors.

Authentication: the step people underestimate

Apostille, notarisation and embassy legalisation are three different steps, and not every document needs all three. An apostille is a single-country-recognised authentication stamp under the Hague Convention; embassy legalisation is a longer chain used where an apostille alone isn't accepted; notarisation is often a prerequisite before either.

The mistake that costs the most time is treating this as a quick add-on right before a visa deadline. Authentication offices have their own queues, separate from the document itself and separate from visa processing — budget real weeks, not days, and start as soon as you know your destination.

Country-specific documents worth checking early

US citizens typically need an FBI identity history summary; UK citizens typically need an ACRO Police Certificate (not a standard DBS); Canadians typically need an RCMP check; Australians typically need an AFP check; Irish applicants typically need Garda vetting. China and several other countries commonly require the degree apostilled or legalised on top of the standard set.

Because requirements shift and vary by specific consulate or province, always confirm the current list with the school and the embassy directly rather than relying solely on a general checklist like this one.

A simple way to avoid re-doing work

Make a single spreadsheet row per document with columns for: document name, current status, authentication needed (yes/no), date requested, date received, and expiry/validity window. Background checks and some certificates have a 'freshness' window — often under six months old at the visa stage — so ordering too early can mean redoing it.

Keep both digital scans and the physical originals of everything; some steps need the original document mailed or presented in person, and losing track of an original degree certificate can cost weeks to replace.

what people actually ask

FAQs

What's the very first document I should sort out?

Your TEFL certificate, since it has no dependency on anything else and no freshness window. Getting it done early frees you to focus on the slower authentication steps for your degree and background check.

Do all countries require an apostilled degree?

No — requirements vary significantly by country and sometimes by specific consulate or province. Confirm the current list directly with the school and embassy rather than assuming one country's rules apply elsewhere.

How far in advance should I start gathering documents?

As soon as you've picked a target country, ideally 2-3 months before you want to be teaching, since authentication steps are the slowest and least predictable part of the process.

What if my background check or degree has a name mismatch?

A mismatch between your documents and your current passport name (from marriage, deed poll, or a typo) can delay authentication. Sort supporting proof of the name change before submitting for apostille or legalisation.

Do I need a medical check for every country?

No — it depends on the destination's specific work-visa requirements. Some countries require a medical certificate or health check as standard; others don't ask for one at all.

keep going

Read next

Apostille your degree for a China visa →FBI background check for teaching abroad →Documents hub →
Get certified — then apply →