Teach English in Nepal

TEFL jobs in Nepal

Living costs Key facts FAQ’s Student Story TEFL jobs in Nepal

You can teach English in Nepal, but most opportunities are volunteer placements rather than paid jobs. Paid roles exist at private and international schools, colleges and some language centres, mainly in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and usually need a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate. Paid posts typically pay about NPR 25,000 to 65,000 a month, so Nepal suits teachers looking for experience and a cultural adventure more than savings. Paid work needs an employer sponsored work permit, which is hard to obtain.

Teaching English in Nepal at a glance

Main opportunities	Volunteer placements, private and international schools, colleges, language centres, monasteries
Typical pay	Volunteer roles are unpaid, often with food and lodging; paid posts about NPR 25,000 to 65,000 a month
Currency	Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Minimum TEFL hours	120 hours recommended, and expected for paid posts
Degree	Usually required for paid school jobs and a work permit
Visa	Paid work needs a work permit from the Department of Labour, sponsored by the employer
School year	Usually April to March, following the Nepali calendar
Main areas	Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and rural communities

What kinds of English teaching are there in Nepal?

Volunteer placements. The most common route for foreign teachers, in government and community schools, monasteries and community programmes. Many include homestay lodging and meals. Choose a registered, reputable organisation, ask exactly what any fee covers, and avoid orphanage placements, which child protection experts advise against.

Private and international schools. Kathmandu’s private and international schools hire some foreign teachers, usually with a degree, a TEFL certificate and experience. These are the main paid roles.

Colleges and language centres. Some colleges teaching British or international foundation programmes, and language centres preparing students for IELTS and study abroad, hire foreign staff.

Private tutoring and online teaching. Private students and online classes are a common way to support yourself while volunteering.

How much do English teachers earn in Nepal?

Volunteer roles are unpaid, though many cover food and accommodation. Paid posts at private and international schools typically pay about NPR 25,000 to 65,000 a month, and a small number of international colleges pay more for qualified, experienced teachers. Living costs are low by global standards, but a local salary rarely allows saving, so many teachers fund their time in Nepal with savings or online teaching. Compare pay across countries on the TEFL Salary Index, and see our guide to online English teaching jobs.

What qualifications do you need to teach English in Nepal?

For paid school and college posts, employers usually want a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours, and some want teaching experience. Volunteer organisations are more flexible, but a TEFL certificate makes you far more useful in the classroom, especially in large classes with limited resources. Our Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course can be verified on the Ofqual register.

Which visa do you need to teach English in Nepal?

Many nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival, but it does not allow paid work. For a paid teaching job, your employer must sponsor a work permit from Nepal’s Department of Labour, and must first show that no suitable Nepali worker can fill the role, which makes permits hard to obtain. Volunteering rules can also be strict, so ask your organisation exactly which visa your placement needs and check with Nepal’s Department of Immigration and our Visa Desk before you travel.

Where are the English teaching opportunities in Nepal?

Kathmandu, the capital, has most private and international schools, colleges and language centres. Pokhara, by Phewa Lake and the Annapurnas, has schools and a tourism economy. Chitwan in the southern lowlands and many rural districts host volunteer programmes in government and community schools.

What is it like teaching and living in Nepal?

Nepal is home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, extraordinary trekking and a warm, hospitable culture. Classes can be large and resources basic, so patience and creativity matter. Infrastructure is limited outside the main cities, the monsoon from June to September disrupts travel, and political protests occasionally affect Kathmandu, so read current travel advice from your government before you go and keep it under review.

Teaching in Nepal: read next

Comparing South and Southeast Asia? See our guides to India, Thailand and Cambodia.
Funding a volunteer year? Read our guide to online English teaching jobs.
Compare pay in our TEFL Salary Index and check entry rules on the Visa Desk.

Get TEFL qualified for Nepal

Last updated: 2 October 2026. Pay figures are approximate typical ranges, not quotes. Visa, work permit and volunteering rules change, so confirm current requirements with Nepal’s Department of Immigration and your employer or organisation before you travel.

Living costs

Nepal has one of the lowest costs of living in Asia, which matters because most teaching there is unpaid or low paid. Kathmandu is the most expensive place to live, especially around Thamel, Lazimpat and Patan, while Pokhara, Chitwan and rural areas cost noticeably less. Many volunteer placements include homestay lodging and meals.

Local food such as dal bhat, buses and microbuses are very cheap, while imported goods, Western restaurants and reliable internet cost more. Budget for power cuts and occasional bottled water.

All figures below are in Nepalese rupees (NPR) and are typical 2026 ranges from Numbeo and local price data, checked on 2 October 2026. Prices change, so check a current source before you budget.

One-bedroom flat, Kathmandu: NPR 20,000 to 35,000 a month
One-bedroom flat, Pokhara or Chitwan: NPR 15,000 to 25,000 a month
Utilities: About NPR 2,500 to 10,000 a month
Meal at a local eatery: NPR 200 to 500
Mid-range restaurant meal: NPR 500 to 1,000 per person
City bus fare: NPR 20 to 50
Bus, Kathmandu to Pokhara: NPR 1,000 to 2,000
Volunteer lodging and meals: Often included

TEFL jobs in Nepal: KEY POINTS

SALARY

Mostly volunteer; paid posts about NPR 25,000–65,000 a month

EDUCATION

Degree usually required for paid posts and a work permit

MAIN JOB TYPES

Volunteer placements, private and international schools, colleges

TEFL CERTIFICATION NEEDED

120 Hour TEFL Qualification

KEY FACTS

Popular locations for TEFL jobs: Kathmandu for paid school and college posts; Pokhara, Chitwan and rural districts mainly for volunteer placements.
English teacher salaries in Nepal: Most English teaching in Nepal is volunteer work, often with food and lodging. Paid posts at private and international schools typically pay about NPR 25,000 to 65,000 a month, and a few international colleges pay more for qualified, experienced teachers.
TEFL qualification requirements: At least a 120-hour TEFL qualification
Prerequisite university degree: A bachelor's degree is usually required for paid school posts and the work permit. Volunteer organisations are more flexible.
Term times: The school year usually runs from mid-April to March, following the Nepali calendar, with major breaks for Dashain and Tihar in autumn.
Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Language: Nepali
Teaching programmes: Volunteer placements in schools, monasteries and community programmes; paid roles at private and international schools, colleges and language centres; private and online tutoring
Age restrictions: None
Previous teaching experience: is desirable for many roles but not essential

Facts about Nepal

LANGUAGE

Nepali

POPULATION

30 million

TEFL JOB DEMAND

Mostly volunteer

CURRENCY

Nepalese rupee (NPR)

CAPITAL

Kathmandu

OUR NEPAL TEFL RATING

4.5

TEFL jobs in Nepal: FAQS

How much can I earn as an English teacher in Nepal?

Most English teaching in Nepal is volunteer work, often with food and lodging. Paid posts at private and international schools typically pay about NPR 25,000 to 65,000 a month, and a few international colleges pay more. A local salary rarely allows saving, so many teachers fund their time with savings or online teaching.

Is Nepal expensive to live in?

No, it is one of the cheapest countries in Asia. A one-bedroom flat in Kathmandu costs about NPR 20,000 to 35,000 a month and less in Pokhara or Chitwan, a meal at a local eatery NPR 200 to 500, and city buses NPR 20 to 50. Many volunteer placements include lodging and meals.

Can I teach English in Nepal without a degree?

For volunteering, often yes, though a TEFL certificate makes you far more useful in the classroom. Paid school posts and work permits usually need a bachelor’s degree. See our guide to teaching English without a degree for countries with more flexible rules.

What is the best TEFL certificate for teaching in Nepal?

An accredited TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours is the best starting point for Nepal, because volunteer classrooms are often large, mixed ability and short of resources, and good training makes a real difference. For paid roles at private and international schools or colleges, an Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL diploma or CELTA strengthens your application and the employer’s work permit case. Our Level 5 TEFL Diploma meets the higher standard.

How do I choose a safe volunteer teaching placement in Nepal?

Choose a registered organisation with clear child protection policies, ask exactly what any fee covers, and speak to past volunteers. Avoid orphanage placements, which child protection experts advise against, and check which visa your placement needs before you travel. Our Visa Desk covers current entry rules.

Can I work in Nepal on a tourist visa?

No. A tourist visa does not allow paid work. For a paid teaching job, your employer must sponsor a work permit from Nepal’s Department of Labour after showing that no suitable Nepali worker can fill the role. Volunteering rules can also be strict, so ask your organisation which visa you need. Compare easier markets in our guide to TEFL jobs in Cambodia.