Kuwait

A tiny country situated in the middle of the Arabian desert, between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, is Kuwait, one of the world’s largest oil exporters and one of the richest countries in the Middle East. This “fortress built near water” is renowned for hot sand dunes, stunning cityscapes and of course, its oil reserves. Kuwait offers the contrast of beautiful coastlines and the striking modernity of the country’s state-of-the-art infrastructure. Culture Kuwait has a population of 4.3 million. About two-thirds of the population is made up of expatriates, which means that there are over 9 widely spoken languages including Nepali, Tagalog, and Hindi to name a few! The most common languages spoken are Arabic and English. Kuwait has invested billions in developing its educational infrastructure, which contributes to its residents’ high levels of English. The most widely observed religion is Islam with over three-quarters of the population practicing. As a conservative Middle Eastern nation, foreigners living in Kuwait should be sensitive to local customs and prepare to adapt to life in a society governed by Islamic law and traditions. Some of these laws include a ban on the use of alcohol, segregation based on sex in education institutions, and gender-specific teaching positions. History & Culture Historically, Kuwait is recognized as a trading point between ancient empires in India, Africa, and Mesopotamia. Kuwait has also been occupied by a series of foreign powers including Great Br…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Kuwait. Education A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required to teach English in Kuwait and a master’s degree (in any field) or teaching license is highly preferred. Additionally, schools prefer to hire candidates who have two or more years of previous classroom teaching experience (typically at the K-12 public school level) and/or a teaching license from a country like the United States or the United Kingdom. Citizenship There is no specific citizenship requirement to obtain a work visa or teach English in Kuwait. However, schools prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. English Fluency Schools prefer to hire native English speakers who are citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. There are occasional exceptions, depending on the teacher’s experience and credentials Background Check Medical Check You must be mentally and physically healthy to work in Kuwait. In order to obtain your employment visa, you must obtain a recent medical r…

Kuwait is both a lucrative and competitive market for foreign English teachers. The country’s small population size, a large expat community, and the promise of competitive salaries and benefits, allow Kuwaiti employers the opportunity to be picky with the educators they choose to bring on board. English teaching jobs in Kuwait are concentrated in the capital city of Kuwait City, Al Ahmadi, Hawailli, and other larger cities. Qualified English teachers in Kuwait will have their fair share of school types to choose between — from preschools and kindergartens to international schools, private language schools, public schools, and even universities, the educational world is your oyster in Kuwait! Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Teaching contracts in Kuwait, regardless of the type of school you work for, are typically 12 months in length. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Many school-aged students will attend private language schools to supplement their public or private school language education, and adults will often attend private language schools to develop their foreign language competency and thereby advance their professional and career options. Unlike public schools or international schools, pri…

Now that you’ve acquainted yourself with some of the most popular job types of Kuwait, it’s time to start the application process. There are several steps to take to start the application process for Kuwait. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Kuwait Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools or recruiters and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section ! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, please submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Photos As part of the application process, the school may request photos from you. A headshot photo is typical, which you can send with your application or attach to your resume. Don’t send any additional photos unless requested. Wear business casual clothing in your photos, in front o…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position at a school in Kuwait and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Kuwait is 463 – 1,019 KWD per month — it’s a sizable range, and largely dependent on a teacher’s experience and the location of the school. Anything significantly lower or higher than this salary range should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like a rural location with a low cost of living or longer than average working hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Kuwait is a full-time gig and teaching contracts are typically 12-months long. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 35 to 40) to consider. Will you hav…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. While the visa process in Kuwait can be lengthy, the good news is that the procedures are handled almost entirely by your employer. In general, foreign teachers accept a job offer and have their work visa process prior to arriving in Kuwait, a process that can take between 1-3 months. Your school should assist you with the majority of the visa application process. Take it from ITA alumna, Ali P. ., who teaches in Kuwait City, “The visa process was somewhat fast, though my employer expedited everything, as in non-pandemic times it normally takes 4 months. After receiving my offer from the university, I sent all copies of my degrees, transcripts, passport, and ITA certifications to the HR team. ” Sounds straightforward enough, right? Let’s get started! Visa Types Work Visa What is it? A work visa is issued to those who find employment in advance of moving to Kuwait. Most teachers in Kuwait teach on a work visa. How do you get one? Your employer will apply for the work visa form the Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour. The majority of English teachers will apply for and receive their employment in advance of moving to Kuwait. How long is it valid? The length of stay on an employment visa will vary according to the length of your contract, which is typically one year. Other Visa Types What is it? A w…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. More often than not in Kuwait, health insurance is provided by the employer as part of your compensation package. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! Savings & Banking In Kuwait, it may take anywhere from four to six weeks before you receive your first paycheck. Therefore, you’ll want to plan accordingly! We recommend having anywhere between 300 – 460 KWD in your bank account to tide you over until you get paid. Once you’ve started receiving paychecks from your school, you may want to look into having a bank account where that hard-earned salary will go! Likely, your …

You have finally made it to the end of the Kuwait section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Kuwait. This timeline is not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Kuwait to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. While there is no peak hiring season in Kuwait as jobs can be found year-round, many schools and universities begin their terms in August-September, so the months of May-August tend to be excellent times to look for employment in Kuwait. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. Kuwait Timeline 4-6 months before departure: Begin your research ___Decide to work with recruiters, apply directly, or both! ___List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences . ___Read through ITA’s resources, watch a Student Affairs webinar . ___Read about Kuwaiti culture, etc. ___Ensure your passport will be valid six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport. ___Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommended to have between 300 – 460 KWD saved by the time you arrive. ___Reach out to a…

I would very much recommend teaching in Kuwait. The advice I would give is to have patience and save money prior to arriving. Start up costs can be a bit high. Also do more research on the culture, and do not arrive expecting it to be like the media portrays it in the US. As an American, you will be asked if living in the US is like they see in the movies. Be prepared to face some judgement from both locals and other expat communities. Ali P. Kuwait City, Kuwait Kuwait is a Muslim country which tolerates Christianity, other religions cannot be practiced here. The nightlife is not really something that I would encourage here. As a dry country, alcohol is illegal, therefore any clubs are illegal and as an expat you could be deported and never allowed in the country again. Social activities however are wide. I enjoy the occasional escape room, bowling session, karaoke restaurants, strolls through the park, hangouts by the pool, salon visits with friends, rooftop chill sessions, a new restaurant everyday? why not, etc. The food here, honestly, is amazing. You can find anything from Mexican, Indian, Lebanese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, to American. I have many favorite restaurants, and if you find yourself in Kuwait, do let me know and I will make recommendations. Ali P. Kuwait City, Kuwait