How to teach English in Indonesia in 2026: salaries of IDR 10–20 million ($600–$1,200) a month at language schools, degree and TEFL requirements, the RPTKA and KITAS work visa process, living costs and how to get hired.
To teach English in Indonesia you need a bachelor’s degree, a 120-hour TEFL certificate and an employer that sponsors your work permit and KITAS. Most jobs are at language schools in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and other cities, paying about IDR 10–20 million a month, with higher salaries at international schools. This 2026 guide covers salaries in rupiah and dollars, the RPTKA and KITAS process, living costs and how to get hired.
TL;DR
- Salary (2026): about IDR 10–20 million ($600–$1,200) a month at language schools, IDR 15–25 million ($900–$1,500) at private and bilingual schools, and IDR 25–45 million+ ($1,500–$2,700+) at international schools.
- Requirements: a bachelor’s degree (needed for the work permit), a 120-hour TEFL, TESOL or CELTA, and a clean criminal record. Native-speaker passports are strongly preferred.
- Visa: the employer obtains RPTKA approval and pays a $100-a-month foreign worker levy; you get a C312 work visa and convert it to a KITAS. Allow 6–12 weeks.
- Benefits: larger chains such as EF English First commonly sponsor the KITAS and offer flights, housing help and medical insurance.
- Cost of living: about $700–$1,000 a month for a single person in most cities.
- Verdict: a great choice for culture, travel and a relaxed lifestyle; not the place for big savings.
Last updated: November 2026
Table of Contents
- Is There Demand for English Teachers in Indonesia?
- Requirements to Teach English in Indonesia
- Indonesia Work Visa: RPTKA, Work Permit and KITAS
- English Teacher Salary in Indonesia (2026)
- Types of Teaching Jobs and Where to Find Them
- Cost of Living in Indonesia for Teachers
- Pros and Cons of Teaching in Indonesia
- How to Get Hired: Step by Step
- Related Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Is There Demand for English Teachers in Indonesia?
Yes. Indonesia has more than 280 million people, and English is a valuable skill for university entry, tourism and jobs with international companies. Private language centres, bilingual schools and international schools all recruit foreign teachers, mostly on one-year contracts.
Demand is strongest in Jakarta and Surabaya, followed by Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Medan and Bali. Language schools hire year-round with peaks in January and July, while international schools mainly recruit from January to April for a July or August start. Hiring tends to slow during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
If you are weighing up Southeast Asia, compare Indonesia with teaching English in Vietnam and teaching English in Thailand, which offer similar lifestyles with different pay and visa rules.
Requirements to Teach English in Indonesia
| Requirement | Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | Yes | Required for the work permit; no exceptions for Bali |
| Degree relevant to teaching | Strongly advised | Manpower rules require education that fits the position; English or education degrees face fewest questions |
| TEFL / TESOL / CELTA | Yes for most jobs | 120 hours is the norm; some chains accept Level 5 TEFL |
| Native-speaker passport | Preferred | Many employers name US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa |
| English test (non-native speakers) | Often | IELTS, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge C1–C2 |
| Criminal record check | Yes | National police check; FBI check for Americans |
| Age | Usually under about 60 | Older applicants can find it harder to get a permit |
The degree-matching rule
Indonesia’s Manpower Regulation 8 of 2021 says foreign workers must have education that fits the qualifications of the position, plus relevant competence or at least five years of related work experience. For English teachers, that means your degree and TEFL certificate are checked against the job title. Teachers with unrelated degrees still get permits regularly, but a TEFL certificate and any teaching experience strengthen the application.
If you need a certificate, a 120-hour TEFL course meets what most Indonesian language schools ask for. Bring your original degree, transcripts and TEFL certificate, because schools often check originals on arrival.
Indonesia Work Visa: RPTKA, Work Permit and KITAS
You cannot legally teach on a visit visa or visa on arrival, including in Bali. Your employer must be a registered company that is allowed to hire foreigners, and it handles most of the process.
- RPTKA: the employer submits a foreign worker utilisation plan to the Ministry of Manpower, showing the role needs a foreign teacher.
- Work permit notification and DKPTKA: once approved, the employer pays the foreign worker compensation fund of $100 per month of your contract.
- C312 work visa: the work visa is issued by Indonesian immigration, usually as an e-visa; you may be asked for a bank statement showing funds.
- KITAS: after entering Indonesia, the visa becomes a limited stay permit (KITAS), usually valid for 6–12 months and renewable with your contract.
The whole process typically takes 6–12 weeks if the employer starts promptly. The law also requires the school to train an Indonesian understudy worker and file annual reports, which is why only established schools tend to sponsor foreigners. Avoid any employer that asks you to start teaching before your KITAS is issued.
English Teacher Salary in Indonesia (2026)
Pay varies widely by employer and city. Language schools pay the least but often add benefits, while international schools pay several times more but want licensed, experienced teachers.
| Job type | Monthly pay (IDR) | Monthly pay (USD, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Language schools and chains | 10–20 million | $600–$1,200 |
| Public schools | 12–18 million | $700–$1,100 |
| Private and bilingual schools | 15–25 million | $900–$1,500 |
| International schools | 25–45 million+ | $1,500–$2,700+ |
| NGOs and volunteer programmes | 5–10 million, or housing and meals | $300–$600 |
| Private tutoring | 200,000–500,000 per hour | $12–$30 per hour |
EF English First, one of the largest employers, has advertised Jakarta roles at around IDR 11–14 million a month with a return flight, housing help or a stipend, KITAS sponsorship, medical insurance and 15 days of paid leave. Indonesia’s income tax runs from 5% to 35%, so always ask whether a quoted salary is gross or net.
If your main goal is saving, compare these figures with the highest-paying TEFL countries before you commit.
Types of Teaching Jobs and Where to Find Them
Language schools
Chains such as EF English First, English 1, ILP and Wall Street English employ the most foreign teachers. Expect afternoon, evening and weekend classes for children, teenagers and adults, with 1-year renewable contracts.
Private, bilingual and international schools
These schools teach daytime classes and follow the July-to-June academic year. Bilingual schools may hire TEFL-qualified teachers, but international schools usually require a teaching licence, a subject degree and at least two years of experience.
Where to search
- Online job boards such as TEFL.com, Dave’s ESL Cafe and Teach Away.
- Recruitment agencies such as Teach Anywhere and Footprints Recruiting; check whether they currently have Indonesian vacancies.
- Careers pages of the big chains, which recruit on a rolling basis.
- Teacher Facebook groups and LinkedIn, which are useful for referrals.
- Broader job-search advice in our guide to working abroad in Indonesia.
Cost of Living in Indonesia for Teachers
Indonesia is affordable, especially outside Jakarta and the expat areas of Bali. A single teacher can live comfortably on about $700–$1,000 a month in most cities.
| Expense | Monthly cost (IDR) | Monthly cost (USD, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat, Jakarta | 3–8 million | $175–$475 |
| One-bedroom flat, Bandung, Yogyakarta or Surabaya | 2–5 million | $120–$300 |
| Utilities (air-conditioning is the main cost) | 1–2.5 million | $60–$150 |
| Meal at a local warung | 15,000–40,000 each | $1–$2.50 each |
| Scooter rental | 600,000–1 million | $35–$60 |
| Ride-hailing trip (Grab or Gojek) | 10,000–30,000 each | $0.60–$1.80 each |
Landlords often ask for several months’ or a full year’s rent in advance, so arrive with savings. Ask whether your employer offers housing or a stipend before signing.
Pros and Cons of Teaching in Indonesia
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Friendly students and a respected teaching role | Salaries are modest outside international schools |
| Low cost of living and great food | Degree and work permit rules are strict |
| Island travel across Bali, Lombok, Java and beyond | Rent often paid months in advance |
| Big chains sponsor the KITAS and add benefits | Jakarta traffic and pollution |
| Year-round hiring at language schools | Evening and weekend schedules at language schools |
How to Get Hired: Step by Step
- Get a 120-hour TEFL certificate and gather your original degree, transcripts and a police check.
- Apply to chains and schools online, timing applications for January or July starts.
- Interview by video and prepare a short demo lesson.
- Sign a 12-month contract with an employer that will sponsor your work permit and KITAS.
- Send scanned documents for the RPTKA and work permit, then receive your C312 work visa.
- Fly in, convert to a KITAS, register locally and start teaching.
If you want a nearby alternative with similar pay, look at teaching English in Malaysia too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to teach English in Indonesia?
Yes. A bachelor’s degree is needed for the work permit and KITAS, and there are no exceptions for Bali. Manpower rules say a foreign worker’s education must fit the position, so a degree in English or education is the safest, while other subjects are usually supported by a TEFL certificate.
How much do English teachers earn in Indonesia?
Language schools typically pay IDR 10–20 million (about $600–$1,200) a month, and private or bilingual schools IDR 15–25 million (about $900–$1,500). International schools pay IDR 25–45 million or more (about $1,500–$2,700+). Income tax of 5–35% applies, so check whether an offer is gross or net.
Can I teach English in Bali on a tourist visa?
No. Visit visas, including the visa on arrival, do not allow paid work, and Indonesian immigration deports and blacklists foreigners caught working without a KITAS. To teach legally in Bali or anywhere else, you need an employer that sponsors your work permit and limited stay permit before you start.
Can non-native speakers teach English in Indonesia?
Yes, though it is harder. Indonesia has no formal nationality ban, but many employers advertise for passport holders from the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Non-native speakers improve their chances with an IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge C1–C2 result plus a degree and TEFL certificate.
How long does the Indonesian work visa process take?
Allow roughly 6–12 weeks. The employer first gets RPTKA approval and the work permit notification, then you receive the C312 work visa, enter Indonesia and convert it into a KITAS. Delays are common around Ramadan, Eid and year-end, so start paperwork as soon as you sign a contract.
Is Indonesia a good place to save money teaching English?
Modest savings are realistic outside the most expensive areas. A single teacher can live on about $700–$1,000 a month in most cities, so a language school salary at the upper end of the range leaves something over. Teachers who want to save seriously usually target international schools or East Asia.
Conclusion
Indonesia rewards teachers who value culture, travel and an affordable lifestyle, provided they have a degree, a TEFL certificate and a sponsoring employer. Line up a school that will handle your RPTKA and KITAS, then use our complete guide to teaching English abroad to compare Indonesia with other destinations.
