Teaching placements in Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe run on a fairly consistent document set. The requirements themselves are not complicated. The timing is what causes missed start dates.
The usual three
- Degree certificate, apostilled. Almost always required, and usually needs notarization first because a diploma is a private document.
- FBI background check, apostilled. Federal, so it goes to the U.S. Department of State rather than a state office.
- TEFL or teaching certificate, where the programme requires it. Treated like a diploma.
The timing problem
Background checks are time-limited, frequently to six months and sometimes less. Federal apostilles take longer than state ones because every one in the country passes through a single office. And if your destination is not a Hague member, an embassy stage adds weeks that cannot be rushed.
That combination means a background check ordered too early can expire before you land, and one ordered too late will not be certified in time. Work backwards from your start date rather than forwards from today.
Destination differences
South Korea and Japan accept apostilles. The UAE, Qatar, and several other common destinations do not, and require full legalization through their embassy. Check yours with our country checker before you plan the schedule, because the two routes have very different timelines.
If your school has given you a deadline, tell us the date when you order and we will say plainly whether it is achievable.