Bordering China and India with the Himalayas as its backdrop, Nepal is a country of outstanding natural wonder. This landlocked yet diverse country is home to over 120 distinct languages including the official language, Nepali.

With a moderate proficiency score, English is used in technology, business, tourism, and academia, and its growing tourist sector sustains the demand for foreign teachers. While you can follow a traditional teaching route, opportunities also exist in Buddhist monasteries and orphanages. Read on for The TEFL Org’s guide on teaching English in Nepal, from job types, salary expectations, visas, and much more.

Key Takeaways

• Demand for English teachers in Nepal is moderate, and most opportunities are volunteer roles.
• Teachers with TEFL certification, a bachelor’s degree, and/or teaching experience may find work at private language schools and international schools. 
• Paid teaching roles do exist, but salaries are low, ranging from ₨25,000–₨65,000 ($170–$435 / £125–£320). 
• International schools offer the highest salaries, from ₨180,000 ($1,200 / £890) per month.
• Qualified teachers need a work visa to teach in Nepal, and volunteers often enter on a tourist visa.

Requirements for Teaching English in Nepal

The requirements for teaching English in Nepal vary according to whether you’re looking for paid teaching jobs or volunteer work.

Do I need a TEFL certification to teach English in Nepal?

You’ll need at least a 120 hour TEFL course to teach English in Nepal as a full-time teacher. However, most volunteer roles are part-time and allow you to teach in Nepal without a TEFL if you’re a native English speaker or have near-native proficiency.

Can I teach English in Nepal without a degree??

Yes, you can teach in Nepal without a degree, but you’ll be limited to volunteer roles. Paid teaching positions in private schools and international schools in Nepal require a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate.

Do I need teaching experience to teach in Nepal?

No, you don’t always need teaching experience to teach in Nepal. However, for higher paying jobs at international schools in Nepal, you’ll need previous teaching experience.

Visa requirements for teaching in Nepal

To teach English in Nepal legally, you’ll need to secure a teaching job before entering Nepal. 

Your employer will sponsor your work permit from the Department of Labour. Then, you can apply for the working visa from the Department of Immigration online via the Official Immigration Portal.

Employers must also prove that local Nepali workers can’t fulfil the job requirements, and only then can they apply for the foreign English teachers work permit. Once the teacher has the necessary supporting documents, they can apply for their work visa on the immigration portal. 

Here are the documents that you’ll need to apply for the working visa: 

• Work permit issued by the Department of Labor
• Academic and professional qualifications like your bachelor’s degree and TEFL certificate
• Recommendation letter from the concerned government ministry 
• Proof of employment with Nepali employer approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs
• Passport with at least 6 months validity

Many volunteer teachers enter Nepal on a tourist visa which can be obtained on arrival, lasting for 15 days ($30), 30 days ($50), or 90 days ($125). However, this is technically illegal, and while not often enforced, it still runs the risk of fines or deportation.

Important: Immigration rules can change, and the information above is not intended as legal advice. Be sure to check official government websites or your local embassy for updated visa requirements. 

Salary and Cost of Living

Not everyone teaches English abroad for financial reasons – especially if you’re volunteering – but it's important to plan ahead and understand salaries and living costs before teaching in Nepal.

How much can you earn teaching English in Nepal?

Most teaching positions in Nepal are voluntary, but salaried jobs in Nepal such as private language schools typically range from ₨25,000–₨65,000 ($170–$435 / £125–£320) per month. 

However, experienced and qualified teachers with an advanced TEFL, teaching license, or a master’s degree can find work at an international school or university. Teaching salaries at these schools can range up to ₨180,000 ($1,200 / £890) depending on the institution.

How much does it cost to live in Nepal?

The average monthly expenditure for teachers in Nepal ranges from around ₨40,000–₨50,000 ($265–$335 / £195–£245) excluding rent. Rent in Kathmandu averages at around ₨20,000 ($135 / £100), taking total living costs to around ₨65,000 ($435 / £320) per month.

Here’s how you can stretch your budget as a teacher in Nepal: 

• Consider job benefits: Ask whether your school covers certain expenses. Paid teaching jobs like international schools often offer accommodation or an allowance and health insurance, and most volunteering programs have a fee that covers accommodation (often with a host family), transportation, and food. 
• Be open minded with the location: Kathmandu is cheap compared to western countries, but smaller cities in Nepal are considerably cheaper, with locations like Pokhara or Chitwan offer much lower costs of living. 
• Eat and drink like a local: Local food is not only hearty but inexpensive, with Nepali meals costing ₨2,500 ($1.70 / £1.20) per dish. Although Nepal has the highest Irish pub in the world, consider local draught beer and Nepali tea instead!