Teaching English in Phuket: Requirements, Work Permits and Pay

What schools usually ask for

• A bachelor's degree, often in any subject, with a copy of the certificate and transcript.
• A TEFL or TESOL certificate, commonly at least 120 hours. One guide notes it is not legally required for a teacher's licence and work permit, but many employers want it.
• A clean criminal record check from your home country, and from Thailand if you have worked here before.
• A health certificate.
• A minimum age, with one guide giving 21.
• Many adverts also ask for native-level English, and some pay native speakers more. Other schools accept non-native speakers with strong English.

Prior experience helps but is not required for most entry-level jobs. Teaching assistant roles may accept an associate degree.

Visa and work permit steps

You cannot work on a tourist visa or on a visa-exempt entry. The usual route is a Non-Immigrant B visa sponsored by the school, then a work permit, and then a teaching licence. Guides say the school normally handles the paperwork once you are in the country, and adverts often say the school covers the first year's visa and work permit costs.

Do not start teaching before the work permit is issued, and keep your documents together: passport, degree, transcript, TEFL, background check and health certificate. Our visa hub and the Non-B visa guide explain the visa side, and the documents guide explains legalising and translating certificates.

Pay and contracts

Thaiger's regional guide reports salaries of about 30,000 to 50,000 baht a month for qualified teachers in Phuket, and job adverts in 2026 show a similar spread: some at about 33,000 to 38,000 baht, and some bilingual or international schools at about 40,000 to 60,000 baht. Weekly teaching hours of about 20 to 24 are common in adverts.

• Read the contract term, probation, holidays and how leave is paid over school breaks.
• Ask who pays for the visa, work permit and any renewals, and whether fees are refunded at the end.
• Ask about health insurance and social security, and see the health and insurance guide.
• Check classroom conditions. Some schools have fans rather than air conditioning.
• Keep copies of everything you sign.

Beyond the classroom

Language centres and private tutoring may offer evening and weekend work, but you still need a work permit for the work you do, and a permit is tied to a specific employer and job. Teaching online for clients abroad is a different case, and the remote work guide explains the DTV and other options.

Schools in the Phuket Town area are reported to pay better than some outlying ones, and living costs vary by area. Use the area guides to choose where to live.

Red flags

• A school that asks you to start work before the work permit is issued.
• Promises of a visa without a contract or school paperwork.
• Recruiters who ask for large upfront fees.
• A contract that you cannot read in English or have translated.

If something goes wrong, see the legal help guide for where to get advice.