Natalie W. Says:
What qualifications do I need to teach English in Mexico legally?
Earn-with-English Online Masterclass Creator Kary Vannice Says:
Hi Natalie,
There are two parts to answering this question. The first is to consider it from a work visa standpoint and the second is to consider the qualifications the employer requires.
Let’s start with the work visa.
Mexico requires foreigners who want to work in the country to obtain a work visa. There are three types of visas: tourist, temporary resident, and permanent resident:
- A tourist visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 180 days, but you cannot engage in paid employment.
- Those who want to live and work in Mexico for more than 180 days need a temporary resident visa. A temporary visa is valid for 4 years and doesn’t automatically give you the right to earn,—you must petition to work in the country once temporary residency is granted.
- The permanent resident visa grants foreigners the right to reside and work in Mexico indefinitely.
If you are hired to work in Mexico as an English teacher, generally your employer will assist you in applying for the proper visas that give you permission to earn. If you wish to work independently, you will be responsible for obtaining these permissions yourself. In this case, I recommend working with a qualified attorney that can help you file the proper documents. You must have an official work visa to legally earn in Mexico.
Employers, of course, have their own requirements based on the type of position you’re applying for. If you wish to work for a university or institute of higher learning, it’s likely you will be required to have a bachelor’s degree, at a minimum, and in most cases they will require a master’s degree. Most private and public primary and secondary schools will also require a bachelor’s degree.
Language schools, of which there are many, may simply require you to be a native speaker. There are some that may also want you to have some previous teaching experience.
Individuals or businesses seeking private tutoring may not require any credentials at all. Most private students simply want the opportunity to speak with a native speaker who can correct their grammatical and pronunciation errors and teach them to speak more conversationally. And many professionals are seeking to become more comfortable speaking with other English speakers or presenting in a business setting.
So, it really all depends on how you wish to approach teaching English, whether you plan to move to Mexico long term, or only wish to stay and work temporarily. The credentials needed to secure a position earning will depend on the individual employer. And there’s always the option to set yourself up independently and work with private businesses or individuals.
So, really, no matter what your qualifications, there is a way to make teaching English in Mexico work for you.
I hope that helps! Remember, I’ll speak much more about the practicalities of teaching English as a portable income when you join me this May 20 for my Earn-with-English Online Masterclass.
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