Teacher Movesby Expat Teacher's LoungeTeaching in the Middle East, country by country.
International schools across the Gulf hire teachers from all over the world, and none of the six Gulf countries taxes salaries today. What changes from country to country is licensing, paperwork and the rules for changing jobs, so compare the country before you compare the offer.
By Mpume (Edwina) Shangase, who taught in Qatar · 500+ teachers in the free Teacher Moves community
Teaching in the Gulf in
five steps.
The same five steps apply in every Gulf country. The details in step 2 and step 5 are what differ.
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Choose your country
Licensing, paperwork, family rules and job-change rules differ. Use the table on this page.
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Get your documents ready
Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain accept apostilles. The UAE, Qatar and Kuwait need full legalisation.
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Apply and interview
Many international schools recruit from December to March for an August start, and some hire all year.
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Check the offer
Salary, housing, flights, medical cover, end-of-service pay and notice terms, in writing.
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Licence and residence
In the UAE you need a teaching licence. In every country your school sponsors your residence.
- The six Gulf countries: the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
- Tax: none of them taxes employment income today. Oman will tax income above OMR 42,000 a year at 5% from 2028.
- Paperwork: Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain accept apostilles. The UAE, Qatar and Kuwait need full legalisation.
- Licensing: the UAE requires a teaching licence by law. Elsewhere, ask your school what applies to your post.
- Your contract: end-of-service pay, housing, flights and notice terms vary more than salaries do.
The six countries, compared.
This is what we could confirm from official sources and reputable reports in October 2026. Where a rule isn't published clearly, the table says so.
| Country | Documents | Teacher licence | Know this |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Full legalisation. South African documents go to DIRCO, then UAE MOFA digital attestation, which covers the embassy and MOFA steps. | Required by law: the Ministry of Education's professional licence, with subject and professional exams. | Dubai: leave a private school mid-term and you wait 90 days before starting at another one. |
| Qatar | Full legalisation, ending with MOFA in Doha. | The Ministry's Professional Licence is earned once you are working in Qatar. | Residence procedures must be completed within 30 days of arrival. Read the Qatar guide. |
| Saudi Arabia | Apostille, since 7 December 2022. | Professional licence tests run by ETEC. 2024 reports say it's needed for new posts and renewals; confirm with your school. | End-of-service pay is reduced if you resign before ten years. |
| Kuwait | Full legalisation. | No national licence yet. A licensing framework is planned. | Government-school posts in 2025/26 required age 45 or under and two to three years' experience. |
| Oman | Apostille, since 2012. | No national licence confirmed. Ask your school. | 5% tax on income above OMR 42,000 a year from 2028. |
| Bahrain | Apostille, since 2013. | No national licence confirmed. Ask your school. | Expat employees pay 1% social insurance. |
Documents and attestation.
Whether you need an apostille or full legalisation depends on two things: where your documents come from, and where you are going. Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille from a member country is enough. The UAE, Qatar and Kuwait are not, so documents go through your home authority, then that country's embassy, then its foreign ministry.
South African teachers: DIRCO won't legalise a degree without a SAQA verification letter (Umalusi for matric), whatever the destination. DIRCO then issues an apostille for Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain, or a Certificate of Authentication for the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. The service is free, but you must book online: walk-ins stopped on 1 September 2026.
Nigeria isn't part of the Apostille Convention, so Nigerian documents need full legalisation for all six countries. UK, Indian and Filipino documents can be apostilled, which is enough for Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.
The UAE teaching licence.
UAE law says teachers must hold a teaching licence to work. The Ministry of Education's professional licence involves a subject exam and a professional exam. You get three attempts, then a six-month wait. If you already hold a licence from another country, there is a service to apply for recognition. Hiring approvals sit with each emirate's authority: KHDA in Dubai, ADEK in Abu Dhabi, SPEA in Sharjah, the Department of Knowledge in Ras Al Khaimah, and the Ministry for Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah.
In Dubai, KHDA's 2025 guide requires schools to register an appointment notice for each teacher, and teachers who leave mid-term wait 90 days before starting at another Dubai private school.
Contracts and end-of-service pay.
End-of-service pay (often called gratuity) is set by each country's labour law. Saudi Arabia's law gives half a month's wage for each of your first five years and a month's wage for each year after that, based on your last wage; if you resign, you receive a third of it after two to five years and two thirds after five to ten years. Oman's labour law sets at least one month's basic wage for each year of service until its new savings scheme starts. Your contract should show how yours is calculated.
Housing, flights, medical cover for your family, school fees for your children and notice terms are where offers really differ. The international teaching contract checklist shows what to check before you sign.
Watch: Teaching packages in Qatar explained: spot a bad contract before you sign
Choosing between them.
Teachers usually narrow the Gulf down on four things: what their family needs (schools, healthcare and whether a partner can work), how much they want to save, how hard the licence and paperwork will be from their home country, and how easily they can change schools if the first one isn't right. Write your top three down before you look at offers, and test each country against them.
If you're also weighing Canada, the USA or Asia, read how to choose a teaching destination.
Common mistakes to avoid.
- Getting an apostille for the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait. They need full legalisation.
- Going to DIRCO without a SAQA verification letter, or without a booking.
- Assuming apostille rules cover Nigerian documents. Nigeria isn't a member.
- Resigning mid-term in Dubai without planning for the 90-day wait.
- Assuming your home licence replaces the UAE licence. It needs formal recognition.
- Expecting full end-of-service pay after resigning early in Saudi Arabia.
Sources
- HCCH: Apostille Convention status table
- UAE Government: Qualifications to be a teacher
- UAE Government: Taxation
- Gulf News: UAE Ministry of Education mandates professional licences (2025)
- Dubai Media Office: KHDA private education guide (2025)
- UAE Embassy Pretoria: Attestation information
- DIRCO: Legalisation services
- Qatar General Tax Authority
- Saudi Bureau of Experts: Labor Law
- Gulf News: Saudi teacher licensing changes (2024)
- OECD: Teacher licensing and appraisal in Kuwait (2026)
- Arab Times: Kuwait recruitment rules for expat teachers (2025)
- Oman Tax Authority: Personal income tax law
- Oman Labour Law, Royal Decree 53/2023
- PwC: Saudi Arabia personal income tax
- PwC: Kuwait personal income tax
- PwC: Bahrain social insurance
This page is general information, checked in October 2026. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, fees and requirements change, so confirm current details with your school, the education ministry and the embassy of the country you're moving to. Teacher Moves is not a recruiter and does not place teachers in schools.
Know what you are signing before you sign.
Two offers with the same salary can be worlds apart once you add housing, flights, medical cover and end-of-service pay. Contract Review goes through yours with you, line by line.
Contract Review Session
US$77- 45 minutes on Google Meet
- Your offer, line by line
- Red flags and missing clauses
- Housing, medical cover and flights checked
- What to ask for, and how to word it
Practical guidance from an experienced international teacher, not legal advice.
Your next step.
Start free. Pay only when you need a tool or a second pair of eyes.
Teacher Moves Assessment
FreeChoose "Teach in the Middle East" and get your stage, a readiness score and one next step.
Qatar Document Checklist
FreeThe attestation steps for UK and South African teachers, with costs and timeframes.
Country Comparison Tool
US$7.99Compare up to 5 of 16 teaching destinations side by side on pay, visas, lifestyle and more.
Contract Review Session
US$77Go through your offer line by line before you sign.
Teachers weighing the Gulf, in their own words.
From the comments on our free videos.
What teachers say
I love how you accept the culture there and also your respect for muslim country. Very appreciatable
Thank you for this ladies ! It was wonderful to watch and as a South African teaching in Saudi , Im excited for more videos to come. Really thinking of making the move from here to there
Public comments on our YouTube and TikTok videos, copied word for word, spelling included. Names are shortened for privacy. They are about our free videos, not reviews of paid services. Each card links to the video it was posted on.
Frequently asked questions.
Which Gulf countries accept an apostille?
Saudi Arabia (since December 2022), Oman (since 2012) and Bahrain (since 2013) are part of the Apostille Convention. The UAE, Qatar and Kuwait are not, so documents need full legalisation: your home authority, their embassy, then their foreign ministry.
Do I need a licence to teach in the UAE?
Yes. UAE law requires teachers to hold a teaching licence from the Ministry of Education. It involves subject and professional exams, and you get three attempts before a six-month wait. If you hold a licence from another country, you can apply to have it recognised.
Are Gulf teaching salaries tax-free?
None of the six countries taxes employment income today. Oman will tax total income above OMR 42,000 a year at 5% from 2028, which most teachers will be below. Bahrain deducts 1% social insurance from expat salaries.
Do South African teachers need SAQA for the Gulf?
Yes, for verification. DIRCO won't legalise a South African degree without a SAQA verification letter, whatever the destination. We found no Gulf country that requires a separate SAQA evaluation.
What is end-of-service pay?
A payment set by each country's labour law when your contract ends. In Saudi Arabia it is half a month's wage for each of your first five years, then a month's wage for each year after, reduced if you resign before ten years. Check how your contract calculates it.
Can I switch schools mid-year in Dubai?
If you leave a Dubai private school mid-term, you must wait 90 days before starting at another Dubai private school, even if you serve your notice. Plan any move for the end of a term or year.
Can I teach in a Kuwaiti government school?
Kuwait's Ministry of Education recruits non-Kuwaiti teachers with conditions. For 2025/26 these included being 45 or under, two to three years' experience and certified transcripts. Private and international schools set their own criteria.
Which Gulf country is best for teachers?
It depends on your priorities: family rules, savings, licensing and how easily you can change jobs. Take the free assessment, or compare up to five destinations side by side with the Country Comparison Tool.