Requirements to Teach English in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s requirements are stricter than Italy or Spain but more accessible than South Korea’s rigid E2 visa rules. What you need depends on your target position. This guide covers every requirement clearly.
Understanding Saudi Arabia’s requirements
Saudi Arabia’s requirements are set partly by government visa law (which is non-negotiable) and partly by individual employer standards (which vary by institution). The visa requirements — degree, eligible nationality, clean background, medical clearance — are fixed. The professional requirements — TEFL level, experience, teaching licence — vary by position type.
The key practical point: Saudi Arabia is more accessible for first-time teachers than it appears. The volume of positions and the government’s active recruitment of foreign English teachers means schools are realistic about requirements at the entry level. A degree plus 120-hour TEFL gets you into the market. What you bring above that determines which positions you can access.
Degree requirements
A bachelor’s degree is a legal requirement for all Saudi work visas for English teachers. This cannot be waived by any employer. The degree can be in any subject for language school positions; subject-specific degrees are required for international schools and universities.
✓ Language schools
- Any bachelor’s degree (any subject)
- Degree must be from an accredited university
- Must be authenticated/apostilled for visa
- Master’s not required but increases salary
🏫 International schools & universities
- Degree in relevant subject (secondary) or Education (primary)
- Master’s degree strongly preferred or required
- Teaching licence also required (see below)
- Research publications for senior university positions
TEFL/TESOL requirements
A minimum 120-hour accredited TEFL certificate is the market standard for Saudi language school positions. CELTA is the gold standard and consistently commands a salary premium of SAR 1,000–2,000/month above basic 120-hour online certificates.
120hr TEFL (online)
Accepted for entry-level language school positions. Minimum market threshold.
CELTA / Level 5 TEFL
Gold standard. Salary premium. Required or strongly preferred at top language schools and universities.
Teaching licence
PGCE or state teaching certificate. Required for international schools. Increasingly valued at universities.
Eligible nationalities
Saudi Arabia’s English teaching work visa requires citizenship from one of seven designated native English-speaking countries. This is a visa requirement, not just an employer preference.
Other nationalities are not eligible for the standard English teacher work visa
Background check requirements
A national-level criminal background check is required for the Saudi work visa. This must be authenticated / apostilled for official use in Saudi Arabia. Any criminal conviction — misdemeanours or felonies — may disqualify a candidate. Saudi Arabia takes this requirement seriously.
For US applicants: FBI Identity History Summary plus US Department of State apostille. For UK: DBS Enhanced check plus FCDO authentication. For other nationalities: national police clearance through equivalent national authority. Allow 6–10 weeks for the full authentication process. The check is typically valid for 6 months from issue.
Start documents early. Begin your background check as soon as you start seriously considering Saudi Arabia — before you even have a job offer. The authentication process is the longest lead-time item in the Saudi teacher preparation process.
Medical requirements
A medical examination is required as part of the Iqama (residency permit) process, conducted in Saudi Arabia after arrival. Tests include general health assessment, HIV test, tuberculosis, and drug screening.
HIV policy: Saudi Arabia does not issue work visas or Iqamas to HIV-positive individuals. This is a firm policy and is applied consistently. Teachers who are HIV-positive cannot legally work in Saudi Arabia under any teaching visa category.
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Requirements by job type
| Position | Degree | TEFL | Licence | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language school (entry) | Any bachelor’s | 120hr+ | Helpful | Helpful |
| Language school (Business English) | Any bachelor’s | CELTA preferred | Helpful | Preferred |
| International school | Education/subject | CELTA/PGCE | Required | 2+ years |
| University instructor | Master’s preferred | CELTA preferred | Helpful | EAP experience |
| Government school | Any bachelor’s | 120hr+ | Preferred | Preferred |
Requirements FAQ
Does my degree subject matter?
For language school positions, no — any accredited bachelor’s degree is accepted. For international schools, yes — primary teachers generally need an education degree and secondary teachers need a relevant subject degree. For universities, a Master’s in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or English Education is strongly preferred.
Can I teach in Saudi Arabia without experience?
Yes, for language school positions. Saudi Arabia is more open to first-time teachers than neighbouring markets like Qatar or the UAE because the volume of positions is higher. A strong TEFL certificate and professional presentation can compensate for limited experience at entry level. That said, teachers with 1–2 years’ experience access significantly better positions and negotiate from a stronger position.
How long does it take to prepare all required documents?
Plan for 6–10 weeks from “I want to apply” to “documents ready.” The background check authentication takes the longest. Once you have a signed contract, your employer takes over most of the Saudi-side processing, which typically takes 4–6 additional weeks. Total lead time from initial application to arrival in Saudi Arabia is typically 3–4 months.
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