Teaching English in Cambodia Without a Degree

Yes. Cambodia is one of the few countries in Asia where teaching English without a degree is realistic. The Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Washington DC lists three eligibility conditions for the Business Type-E visa that teachers travel on, and a university degree is not one of them. Work itself is authorised separately, through the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training. A 120-hour TEFL certificate is the industry norm and what most employers look for. Pay of around $10 to $14 an hour across 20 to 25 hours a week is an indicative range rather than an official figure, so confirm it with the employer.

Key takeaways

• No degree on the embassy’s list: the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Washington DC sets out three eligibility conditions for the Business Type-E visa, and a university degree does not appear among them.
• The visa and the work permit are two different hurdles: the visa lets you enter and remain, while working is authorised through the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training. Passing one does not carry you past the other.
• Your employer carries the paperwork: the visa conditions require an employment offer or an invitation from a registered organisation in Cambodia, and the work permit is applied for through the ministry’s own system.
• TEFL certification still matters: 120 hours is the industry norm, and a specialist course such as a TEFL diploma in Business English helps if you do not have a degree.
• Pay: $10 to $14 per hour across 20 to 25 hours a week is an indicative range, not a verified or official figure. Get written figures from the employer.
• Where the work is: Phnom Penh has the most opportunities, with further options in Siem Reap.
• Applying: employers want to know you intend to live locally, so finding a job on the ground is typically easier than applying online from abroad.
• Demand: Cambodia records an EF EPI score of 390 against a global average of 488 in the EF English Proficiency Index, and English teachers remain in demand.

We are used to receiving a variety of enquiries about teaching English abroad. One of the hardest to answer is whether you can teach English in another country without a university degree. The truth is that it depends on where you choose to teach. Visa rules mean a degree is genuinely required in some countries, but do not panic if you do not have one. Even though many countries set strict conditions on working visas, before you get to individual job requirements, there are still opportunities for TEFL-qualified teachers to teach English in Cambodia without a degree. Our full guide covers teaching English abroad without a degree, with country by country requirements.

Your options for teaching in Asia are narrowed by the fact that practically every country in the region expects a degree. Despite their demanding immigration rules, South Korea, Japan, and China remain the most popular TEFL locations. That is not the whole picture, though. If you match the conditions, you may be able to work in some countries on a working holiday visa for a limited period, although this can be difficult and there are often numerous other restrictions. Cambodia is the more straightforward option, and it is the one this article deals with in detail.

Why teach English in Cambodia?

Teaching English in Cambodia will not make you rich, but money is not the only thing that draws teachers to this intriguing and culturally rich country. You can expect to earn enough in Cambodia to live comfortably and to see something of the country while you are there.

The lower entry criteria draw in teachers who lack a degree but want to move to Asia. Cambodia is frequently overlooked in favour of its neighbours, Thailand and Vietnam. Even so, the country has much to offer EFL teachers who want to work there, with gorgeous scenery, an exciting history, and friendly people.

Why should I go to Cambodia?

What can you expect to see in Cambodia? Phnom Penh, the capital, is the major urban centre of a largely rural country. Cambodia’s natural landscape and ancient ruins are spectacular, drawing on diverse cultural and religious influences from across Asia.

Consider Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious complex, completed in the early 12th century and today the principal tourist destination in Cambodia. Or how about Koh Rong Samloem island, a tropical paradise where hammocks and scuba diving equipment are welcome?

If Angkor Wat is not your cup of tea, consider the dramatic and magnificent Prasat Preah Vihear, a UNESCO world heritage site near the Thai border. It is no wonder that Cambodia is becoming a popular destination for TEFL teachers, with a large rainforest, breathtaking views from coast to coast, and a relatively low cost of living.

Demand for English teaching is real, and the proficiency data explains why. Cambodia’s country page in the EF English Proficiency Index records a global ranking of 123 and an EF EPI score of 390, against a global average of 488. The 2025 edition of the index covers 123 countries and regions. Source: EF English Proficiency Index, Cambodia.

Entry criteria for teachers are correspondingly more accommodating than in much of the region. Do you need formal schooling or previous work experience? Generally not, provided you hold a TEFL certification and can show an employer you are ready to teach.

What the visa and work permit rules actually say

Two separate permissions are involved here, and confusing them is the most common mistake readers make. The visa lets you enter and remain in Cambodia. Working is a labour matter, handled by a different ministry.

The visa

The Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Washington DC lists six visa categories: Diplomatic (Type A), Official (Type B), Courtesy (Type C), Business (Type E), Khmer (Type K) and Tourist (Type T). Teachers travel on the Business Type-E visa. Source: Royal Embassy of Cambodia, Washington DC, visa categories.

For the Business Type-E visa, the embassy states that applicants must meet one of three conditions: those who have accepted an employment offer from Cambodia, those who have received an invitation from a registered company or organisation in Cambodia, or those who are being sent to Cambodia for business purposes by a registered company or organisation in the country they are applying from. The documents listed are an original passport valid for at least six months with a blank visa page, a completed application form with a recent photograph, supporting documents including an invitation letter and a copy of the passport bio page, and the visa fee. Source: Royal Embassy of Cambodia, Washington DC, Business Visa Type-E.

A university degree does not appear anywhere on that list. That is the single most important fact on this page, and it is why Cambodia stays open to non-graduates while much of the region does not. Notice what the list does require, though. An employment offer, or an invitation from a registered organisation. The burden sits with an employer here, exactly as it does elsewhere.

The extension

The same embassy page states that the Business Type-E visa is a single entry visa, valid to use or enter Cambodia within three months from the date of issue, that it allows a stay of 30 days on entering the country, and that the visa can be extended on entry for another 30 days at the Cambodia Immigration Office.

Longer extensions of the E class visa are commonly described elsewhere as being issued in three, six and twelve month forms, usually under an EB label for people in employment. We could not read the General Department of Immigration’s own published conditions during this research, because its service and announcement pages returned no content without JavaScript. So treat the longer extension terms as unconfirmed and check them with the immigration office or with the embassy handling your application.

The work permit

Cambodia operates a foreign worker quota and work permit system administered by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training through its Foreign Workers Centralized Management System. That system describes itself as a web-based online management system of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, providing online application, quota, foreigner work permit and one stop window services, so that applicants can apply for a foreign worker quota and for the foreign work permit. The ministry’s own site labels the same service as foreign worker employment card services. Sources: Foreign Workers Centralized Management System and Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

What we could not obtain is the governing regulation itself. The system’s guidance and FAQ pages refused our requests, and the ministry’s published Prakas and notifications that we could reach dealt with Cambodian workers going abroad, minimum wage and social security rather than inbound foreign employment. So we cannot tell you from a Cambodian government source whether a degree appears as a condition of the work permit, what the fee is, or when it must be renewed. Ask your employer to show you the application it files on your behalf, and confirm the current conditions with the embassy handling your application.

Is teaching a licensed profession in Cambodia?

We could not answer this from a Cambodian government source. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport website could not be reached during this research because its security certificate had expired, so we cannot say whether it sets a licence, a registration or a minimum qualification for foreign teachers, or for the private language schools that employ most of them. Do not read our silence as a no. Confirm it with the school that intends to employ you, and with the embassy handling your application.

Penalties for working without a permit

No published schedule of penalties for working in Cambodia without a work permit could be found on a Cambodian government source during this research, and we will not put a figure on something we have not verified. What is clear from the ministry’s own system is that the permit exists and that employers are expected to apply for it. An employer willing to put you in a classroom without one is telling you something useful about the employer.

Can I teach English in Cambodia without a degree?

Yes. Neighbouring countries are harder. A degree is required for the teaching licence in Thailand, and Vietnam is generally understood to require one for a work permit, although we did not verify the Vietnamese position from a government source for this article. Cambodia sets no such condition on the visa that teachers travel on. While some employers may prefer applicants with a degree, English teachers are in such high demand in Cambodia that you should be able to find work without one. It remains one of the few countries in Asia where teaching without a degree is both allowed and practical.

Do I need a TEFL qualification?

Finding a job as an English teacher without a TEFL qualification is becoming increasingly difficult. It is not impossible, but we do not encourage it.

Taking payment for English classes from someone unprepared to teach English is unfair to the students, and a TEFL qualification will earn you a better job with a better employer.

An employer that shows no interest at all in your credentials should be treated as a warning sign rather than a lucky break. Remember that job hunting runs both ways, and you should be as thorough about an employer as they are about you.

One hundred and twenty hours is the industry norm, but many employers now look for teachers with an internationally recognised TEFL certification from an accredited TEFL course provider. Specialist TEFL courses can also help if you do not have a degree. A TEFL diploma in Business English, for example, is useful in an emerging economy like Cambodia.

How much can I earn while teaching English in Cambodia?

Treat $10 to $14 per hour across 20 to 25 hours per week as an indicative range rather than a verified figure. No Cambodian government source publishes teaching salaries, and this range has not been confirmed against one, so ask any employer for written figures before you accept anything. Living costs are low, and pay at that level covers the essentials while leaving something over to enjoy your time in the country.

Before you commit, ask what is paid monthly, what is deducted, whether pay continues through school holidays, and who covers the visa and work permit costs. Those four questions tell you more about an offer than the headline hourly rate does.

As in most countries, EFL teachers with more qualifications and experience can command higher salaries, and there are additional options for private tutoring to supplement your income.

You could also seek work preparing students for English proficiency exams. Exams such as IELTS can be crucial for Cambodians who want to live or work in English-speaking countries.

Finding work

Your chances of finding a job in country are better than your chances of finding work online. Employers in Cambodia generally want to know that you intend to live locally, so finding a job on the ground is typically easier than applying from abroad.

That does not mean looking for work online before you travel is a waste of time. Lining something up before you depart is the safest and most sensible approach. Keep an eye on job boards and join relevant Facebook groups, and be aware of advertisements stating that a degree is required, because plenty of jobs are available for those without one.

It is also worth checking LinkedIn, a good place to identify Cambodian schools or recruiters looking for prospective TEFL applicants. Going directly to a recruiter can speed the job search up considerably.

Using a recruiter has benefits and drawbacks, as our guide to TEFL job boards, recruiters and red flags sets out. Work is most likely to be found in Phnom Penh, but opportunities also exist in Siem Reap, a popular tourist destination. As noted above, most of the country is rural, yet options are still there.

Where else can I teach TEFL without a degree?

If Cambodia does not appeal to you, a number of other countries hire TEFL teachers who do not hold a degree.

Europe and South America are the primary regions for TEFL without a degree. Lebanon and Jordan are other notable options where becoming a TEFL teacher does not require a degree.

South America in particular is a thriving TEFL destination. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Nicaragua and Uruguay are all commonly cited as not mandating a degree. That list includes some large countries, and between them they support a great many schools, companies and institutes looking for TEFL teachers. We have not verified each of those countries against its own government sources in this article, so check the current position for whichever one you settle on.

Within Asia, teaching in Nepal is doable, as a degree is generally understood not to be required for a working visa there.

What we could not verify

In the interest of being straight with you, here is what this article does not stand over. We could not read the General Department of Immigration’s own conditions for E class visa extensions, so the three, six and twelve month extension terms are unconfirmed. We could not obtain the regulation governing the foreign worker work permit, so we cannot say from an official source whether a degree is a condition of it, what it costs, or when it is renewed. We could not reach the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport at all, so we cannot say whether teaching is a licensed profession in Cambodia. And we found no published penalties for working without a permit. Confirm each of these with the school that intends to employ you and with the embassy handling your application, rather than relying on any blog, including this one.