A 2026 guide to teaching English in Colombia: salaries in COP and USD by job type, TEFL and degree requirements, the M work visa and cédula, Fulbright and other programs, cost of living in Bogotá and Medellín, and how to get hired.
To teach English in Colombia, most employers want a bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate, and the bulk of jobs are in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla. Demand is strong and hiring happens year-round, but salaries are modest, so Colombia suits teachers who want an affordable, lively base in Latin America rather than big savings.
This guide covers 2026 pay in Colombian pesos and US dollars, entry requirements, the M work visa, the main employers and programs, living costs and a step-by-step hiring plan.
TL;DR
- Salary: language institutes pay about COP 2.5–4 million a month ($775–$1,240); bilingual schools COP 3–5 million ($930–$1,550); international schools COP 6 million or more ($1,860+).
- Requirements: a 120-hour TEFL certificate and, in practice, a bachelor’s degree, which the work visa usually needs as proof of your profession.
- Visa: the M (Migrante) worker visa, sponsored by your employer and valid for up to three years, followed by registration for a cédula de extranjería.
- Living costs: about COP 2.1–3.5 million ($650–$1,080) a month for a mid-range lifestyle.
- Best for: first-time teachers and career changers who want culture, travel and low costs.
- Verdict: a break-even country. Expect to cover your costs, and add private or online classes if you want to save.
Last updated: November 2026
Table of Contents
- Is There Demand for English Teachers in Colombia?
- What Are the Requirements to Teach English in Colombia?
- What Visa Do You Need to Teach English in Colombia?
- How Much Do English Teachers Earn in Colombia?
- What Types of English Teaching Jobs Are There in Colombia?
- What Is the Cost of Living in Colombia for Teachers?
- What Are the Pros and Cons of Teaching English in Colombia?
- How Do You Get Hired to Teach English in Colombia?
- Related Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Is There Demand for English Teachers in Colombia?
Yes. Colombia has made English a national education priority for two decades through its bilingualism policy, and private demand from students, professionals and companies keeps language institutes busy in every major city. Bogotá has the most jobs and the highest pay, Medellín is the most popular with foreign teachers, and Cali, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga and Cartagena offer smaller but growing markets.
Most foreign teachers work at private language institutes or bilingual schools, often topping up with private students. If you are comparing destinations, our guide on how to teach English as a second language abroad explains how Colombia fits into the wider teaching market.
What Are the Requirements to Teach English in Colombia?
| Requirement | Language institutes | Bilingual / international schools |
|---|---|---|
| TEFL certificate | 120 hours preferred | 120 hours minimum; CELTA or a teaching licence valued |
| Bachelor’s degree | Expected for visa sponsorship | Required; education degree preferred |
| Experience | Not required for entry-level roles | Often 2+ years; licence for international schools |
| Nationality | Native or C1-level speakers | Native or C1-level speakers |
| Background check | Asked for by some employers | Commonly required |
| Spanish | Helpful, not required | Helpful |
A degree matters more than it first appears. Colombia’s Cancillería asks for an apostilled, translated professional degree (or certified work experience) when issuing a worker visa, so schools that sponsor visas almost always want one. Our 120-hour TEFL course guide covers the certificate most employers ask for.
Get your degree, TEFL certificate and any background check apostilled in your home country before you leave, and have them translated into Spanish by an official translator.
What Visa Do You Need to Teach English in Colombia?
Many nationalities, including US, UK, Canadian, Australian and EU citizens, can enter Colombia visa-free as visitors for up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days in a calendar year. A visitor stay does not allow paid work, so teachers need a work visa once they are hired.
How does the M worker visa work?
- Who applies: you, with your employer as sponsor. Applications are made online through the Cancillería (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- Employer documents: a signed contract summary form, a motivation letter and bank statements for the last four months. Current rules require the employer to show average monthly income of at least 100 times the minimum wage, which rules out many small schools.
- Your documents: passport, photo and an apostilled, translated degree or certified professional experience.
- Validity: up to three years, tied to the job and employer named on the visa. Time on an M visa counts towards a resident visa after five years.
- Fees: roughly $250–$300 in government fees, plus a separate cédula fee.
Within 15 days of receiving the visa, register with Migración Colombia to obtain your cédula de extranjería (foreign resident ID). Spending more than six consecutive months outside Colombia cancels the visa. Freelancers with foreign clients may qualify for Colombia’s digital nomad visa instead, but it does not cover working for Colombian employers.
How Much Do English Teachers Earn in Colombia?
Pay depends heavily on the employer type and whether you are on a formal contract with benefits or paid by invoice. Formal contracts add health, pension and severance contributions, which raise the real value of a salary.
| Job type | Monthly pay (COP) | Approx. USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private language institute | 2.5–4 million | $775–$1,240 | Split shifts; some pay by invoice without benefits |
| Private bilingual school or university | 3–5 million | $930–$1,550 | Formal contract and benefits; school-year contracts |
| International school | 6–10 million+ | $1,860–$3,100+ | Teaching licence and experience required |
| Corporate and private tutoring | 50,000–100,000 an hour | $15–$31 an hour | Grows with referrals |
| Online teaching | Paid in USD | About $10–$30 an hour | Common top-up income |
For context, Colombia’s 2026 minimum wage is COP 1,750,905 a month. A strong peso in 2026 means peso salaries are worth more in dollars than in previous years. To see how Colombia compares globally, check our ranking of the highest TEFL salaries in the world.
What Types of English Teaching Jobs Are There in Colombia?
Language institutes
The easiest way in. Employers include Berlitz, Wall Street English, the British Council, the Centro Colombo Americano binational centres and many local academies. Classes cluster early in the morning and in the evening for working adults.
Bilingual schools and universities
Bilingual private schools such as Colegio Anglo Colombiano and Colegio Gran Bretaña in Bogotá offer stable contracts and benefits but expect qualified teachers. Universities hire for English departments and language centres, usually preferring a master’s degree.
Programs and fellowships
US graduates can apply for the Fulbright Colombia English Teaching Assistant program, which placed 30 Americans at 20 universities across 16 cities in 2026. Volunteer-style fellowships such as Heart for Change and Volunteers Colombia have placed fellows in public schools with a modest monthly stipend; intakes vary, so confirm the current cycle directly.
Online teaching
Many teachers in Colombia work online in their own time zone. Check the requirements to teach English online before applying, since most platforms pay in US dollars.
For detailed job-search tactics, read our guide to finding teaching work in Colombia, and for non-teaching roles see finding work abroad in Colombia.
What Is the Cost of Living in Colombia for Teachers?
Colombia is affordable by international standards, though Bogotá costs more than Medellín and smaller cities. Many teachers rent a room in a shared apartment in an estrato 4 or 5 neighbourhood.
| Monthly expense | COP | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared apartment (estrato 4–5) | 750,000–1.2 million | $230–$370 |
| Total mid-range monthly budget | 2.1–3.5 million | $650–$1,080 |
| Start-up funds for the first month | About 3.2–5.2 million | $1,000–$1,600 |
Public transport is cheap, with TransMilenio buses in Bogotá and the Metro in Medellín. Arrive with enough savings to cover a deposit, your first month and visa fees before your first pay day.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Teaching English in Colombia?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong, year-round demand in several large cities | Salaries cover costs but leave little to save |
| Low cost of living outside Bogotá | Split shifts and some invoice-only contracts |
| Legal work visa route via the M visa | Many small schools cannot sponsor visas |
| Rich culture, varied climates and easy regional travel | Safety varies by city and neighbourhood |
| Good entry point for new teachers | Paperwork needs apostilles and translations |
If you are weighing the Andes, compare Colombia with teaching English in Ecuador and teaching English in Peru, which have similar pay and lower competition.
How Do You Get Hired to Teach English in Colombia?
- Get certified: complete a 120-hour TEFL course with teaching practice.
- Apostille your documents: degree, TEFL certificate and background check, then arrange Spanish translations.
- Choose your city: Bogotá for pay and volume, Medellín for lifestyle, coastal cities for climate.
- Apply early: bilingual schools recruit for calendar A (February start) and calendar B (August start); institutes hire all year.
- Interview: many interviews run on video, but arriving in person helps with institutes.
- Secure your visa: confirm your employer can sponsor an M visa before you sign, then register for your cédula within 15 days.
- Build income: add private students or online classes to boost savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you teach English in Colombia without a degree?
Some language institutes and private tutoring clients will hire you without a degree, but it is difficult to work legally. The M worker visa normally needs an apostilled professional degree or certified work experience, and schools that sponsor visas usually require a bachelor’s degree. Without one, expect informal, lower-paid work.
How much do English teachers make in Colombia?
Language institutes typically pay COP 2.5–4 million a month, about $775–$1,240. Bilingual schools and universities pay COP 3–5 million ($930–$1,550), and international schools COP 6 million or more. Private tutoring earns about COP 50,000–100,000 an hour. Most teachers break even, saving only with extra classes.
What visa do I need to teach English in Colombia?
You need an M (Migrante) worker visa, sponsored by your employer and applied for online through the Cancillería. It is valid for up to three years and tied to that job. Within 15 days of approval you must register with Migración Colombia for a cédula de extranjería. A visitor stay does not allow paid work.
Which city is best for teaching English in Colombia?
Bogotá has the most jobs and the highest salaries, including most bilingual and international schools. Medellín is the most popular with foreign teachers for its climate and lifestyle, though competition is higher. Cali, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga offer lower living costs and fewer foreign applicants.
When do schools in Colombia hire English teachers?
Language institutes hire all year. Bilingual schools hire for two calendars: calendar A schools start in late January or February, and calendar B schools, common among bilingual and international schools, start in August. Apply three to six months before the start date for school jobs and around a month ahead for institutes.
Is a TEFL certificate required to teach English in Colombia?
Not by law, but most reputable employers ask for one, and a 120-hour TEFL certificate is the usual benchmark. It also makes you more competitive for bilingual schools and online platforms. Courses with observed teaching practice are valued, and CELTA or a teaching licence helps at the top end of the market.
Conclusion
Colombia is one of Latin America’s best entry points for new teachers, with steady demand, a clear work visa route and a low cost of living. Get a 120-hour TEFL certificate, apostille your degree and target employers that can sponsor an M visa. For more destinations and career options, see our full guide to teaching English as a second language abroad.
