TEFL jobs in Cambodia

Yes, and Cambodia is the easiest country on this list to get hired in, but it is not unregulated. The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training requires every foreigner working in Cambodia to hold a Foreign Work Permit and a Foreign Employment Card, and caps foreign staff at 10 per cent of an employer’s Cambodian workforce.

What Irish teachers should know first

Cambodia’s foreign employment rules sit in Prakas No. 195 on the Foreign Work Permit and Foreign Employment Cards and Prakas No. 196 on the Employment of Foreign Labour, both dated 20 August 2014, with the procedure set out in the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training’s Guideline 003/15 of 26 January 2015. Under those instruments, every foreigner must hold a Foreign Work Permit and Foreign Employment Card issued by the Ministry in order to work in Cambodia, and the employer, not the teacher, applies. The rate of employment of foreign labour must not exceed 10 per cent of a business’s total Cambodian employees; above that, the employer has to justify the position, specialism and skills of each foreign worker individually.

Two dates matter and they are not the ones schools tend to mention. An employer must request its foreign labour quota by the end of November each year, and must apply for or extend each teacher’s Foreign Work Permit and Foreign Employment Card by the end of March each year. Arriving in September and asking about paperwork in April is how people end up working informally. An employer using foreign labour without permission and without a permit and card is liable to a fine of 488,000 to 720,000 riel under Articles 369 and 372 of the Labour Law, so it is worth asking a prospective school directly whether your permit is already inside its approved quota.

On money, we are going to be honest rather than confident. As of 8 September 2026 we could not find any Cambodian government body that publishes a salary figure for foreign English teachers, and we are not going to repeat one from a recruiter or a competitor site. There is therefore no officially sourced pay range on this page. What we can tell you is verifiable: your permit is annual, it is tied to a named employer, and it must be renewed by the end of March. Ireland also has no working holiday agreement with Cambodia. Irish Immigration Service Delivery lists Ireland’s partners as Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and the United States, so a sponsoring employer is the only route.

Why do teachers choose Cambodia?

Would you like to teach English in Cambodia? Cambodia is known for its fascinating history, magnificent temples, and beautiful beaches. Teaching English in Cambodia is a fantastic way to learn about a new culture, earn money, and meet like-minded people. So, if you’re seeking a unique experience, consider teaching English abroad as a second language (ESL) in Cambodia!

What qualifications do you actually need for Cambodia?

In comparison to other nations, the qualifications needed to work as an English teacher in Cambodia are extremely low! However, getting started on your ESL journey is simple if you’re a native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree and one year of teaching experience.

It’s no surprise that TEFL teachers are drawn to this great country since there is an abundance of teaching work, a low cost of living, extremely lovely people, and delicious food. Admittedly, Cambodia’s pay isn’t spectacular, but with such a low cost of living, it’s simple to make ends meet. In addition, there will be plenty to do and see during your free time, and Cambodia is a place where you can truly have an adventure while teaching English abroad in another country.

Weighing your options across the region? Our guide to teaching English jobs abroad compares them side by side, and the two neighbours most Irish teachers shortlist alongside Cambodia are teaching English in Vietnam and teaching English in Thailand. Our TEFL courses in Ireland give you the certificate schools ask to see.

Talk to a real person

No obligation and no sales pitch. Tell us what you want out of the year and we will tell you honestly whether Cambodia fits.

Despite having its own currency (the riel), Cambodia is a dollar-based economy. Only things under one dollar are typically marked in riels, so don’t be shocked if you find a mix of price tags. Both are available at ATMs.

English teachers in Cambodia receive a fair pay in comparison to the country’s low cost of living, and a dinner at a market can cost as little as €1, while a sit-down meal in a restaurant is still quite affordable. Although prices are growing, it is still a relatively affordable location to live. Living and eating like a native is substantially less expensive than eating Western food, frequenting tourist pubs, and indulging in home comforts, as it is everywhere.

Because most English teachers in Cambodia are paid on an hourly basis rather than offered a salary, benefits such as paid vacations, housing, and health insurance are not usually included. Also, because there are so many volunteer teaching positions in Cambodia, many expatriates are on a low budget, so you won’t have trouble connecting with other TEFL teachers who are in the same boat. Angkor Wat (the world’s greatest religious structure), Battambang bat caves, the genocide museum, Koh Rong island, and Ta Prohm temple are among the many beautiful spots to explore. One of the most attractive and charming elements of Cambodian culture, according to many ex-pats, is the people’s friendliness, humility, and openness. So it’s no surprise that many TEFL teachers are drawn to the adventurous lifestyle available in Cambodia, which includes top meals such as fish amok curry, green mango salad, beef loc lac, crab and pepper, and pumpkin custard.

In order to provide the most up-to-date cost of living figures, we use Numbio.com, the world’s most significant cost of living database.