Visas & Support
The most comprehensive and personalized support services available in Europe
English Wizards is proud to be one of the few programs in the European Union that can get work visas for non-EU teachers.
And yes we mean full work visas, not student visas, business visas, working holiday visas, or some other restrictive loophole which many programs advertise.
Furthermore, we pride ourselves in being one of the only programs in the world that can get teachers a legal work visa that is not tied to a specific school or job. Through our Freelance Teaching Program, you can theoretically teach English at an infinite number of schools all on one work visa.
Moving to a new country alone can be scary and daunting. This is why we strive to offer individually tailored support. With our support packages, you’ll be in direct contact with our Polish-speaking support staff to walk you through every step of your relocation.
VISAS & RESIDENCE
Every one of our Wizards coming from outside the EU receives everything necessary to obtain the necessary visas and permits to work in Poland as an English teacher.
This is provided at no extra cost to you, and our legal team will be there to help you with the process along the way. Trust us, we know visa applications can be annoying!
With English Wizards you will receive:
- All documentation necessary to obtain a work visa and legal residence in Poland
- Step-by-step guidance in obtaining the visa through your nearest consulate
- Registration for a PESEL (Tax ID) number to allow you to work legally
- Step-by-step guidance in obtaining the Temporary Residence Permit to extend your stay*
- Translation of documents into Polish, when necessary
- Ongoing support from our staff on maintaining your legality
Price: Included in all programs at no extra cost
* A Temporary Residence Permit is only necessary for Wizards who wish to extend their stay beyond the validity of their visa (one year). If you are only planning to stay in Poland for one year or less, you will not need to get a Temporary Residence Permit.
Not covered: Consular visa fee (€60-100), Temporary Residence Permit administrative fee (€100), medical insurance (required for visa, from €160 per year for the cheapest plans); personal documents such as passport scans, bank statements, photographs, and flight itineraries.
How is the work visa not tied to a specific job?
What documents are required for the work visa?
- The completed Visa Application Form
- Your approved work permit (we'll send this to you)
- Your passport and a photocopy of the main page
- Proof of medical insurance (if you already have medical insurance that covers you overseas, this may suffice. Otherwise we recommend you arrange travel insurance; see our packages below for recommendations)
- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself until the first pay period (there is no official minimum for this, but we recommend showing at least €1500 or equivalent in a bank account)
- Your flight reservation to Poland
- Fee payment in local currency
I am a citizen of a non-English speaking country. Am I eligible for this visa?
In most cases, yes.
However, due to restrictions applied at certain Polish embassies around the world, we are not able to provide work visas for nationals of the following countries:
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While we take pride in the diversity of our community and the fact that our Wizards represent over 20 countries on 6 continents, we sadly cannot change Poland's visa laws. If you are a national of one of the above-mentioned countries, if you are already living in Poland or elsewhere in Europe and can apply for a Temporary Residence Permit instead of a visa, or if you can obtain a visa to live in Poland through other means (for example, through family or studies). We do not discriminate on the basis of nationality in our recruitment process, and whenever possible, we accept teachers with the right qualifications regardless of their passports.
If you are a citizen or permanent resident of a non-English speaking country that is not listed above, there are no visa restrictions. However, your embassy may ask for additional proof that you are qualified to teach English, such as a TEFL certificate or equivalent, or proof that your academic studies were in English. Contact your nearest Polish consulate for clarification of any additional documents that may be required.
I do not have a Bachelor's Degree and/or TEFL certification. Am I eligible for this visa?
Yes! A Bachelor's Degree is not a legal requirement to get a visa in order to teach English in Poland.
Having a TEFL certification or equivalent teaching qualifications (such as a degree or diploma in education) is required. An exception to this rule is made for teachers who are getting TEFL certified through our Internship Programs, as we can provide a letter stating that you will receive TEFL qualifications before commencing work.
I'm from the UK. Will I need a visa to work in Poland now that the United Kingdom has left the European Union?
The Polish government has announced that, as of January 1st 2021, citizens of the United Kingdom who were not living in Poland prior to 2021 will be treated as non-EU nationals.
This means that if you are a UK citizen and hope to arrive in Poland after the 1st of January, you will need a work permit in order to legally work, as well as a Type-D Visa or Residence Permit in order to stay longer than 90 days. However, if you are currently residing in Poland and hold UK citizenship, you will be able to continue enjoying the freedom to live and work in Poland without any visas or permits.
For the most up to date information for UK nationals, please see the official website of Poland's Office of Foreigner Affairs.
How long does the visa process take?
Most consulates process visas in less than two weeks, although it's best to inquire directly with the consulate. Before you apply for the visa, your work permit must be approved, which is a process that takes 6-9 weeks.
In total, you should allow between 2 and 3 months from the time that you register and submit your work permit documents to us and the day you have a work visa in your passport.
Will my visa allow me to travel to other EU countries?
Note that Polish visas are not valid for travel to the UK or Ireland.
What's the difference between a visa and Temporary Residence Permit?
A Type-D Visa and Temporary Residence Permit are two completely different documents, though they both serve the same function: to allow a non-EU citizen to live in Poland for longer than 90 days. The key difference between the two documents is that a Type-D Visa is obtained from Polish embassies and consulates outside of Poland, and comes in the form of a sticker in your passport, while a Temporary Residence Permit is obtained from the Immigration Offices within Poland, and comes in the form of a plastic ID card.
The procedures, required documents, and fees required for each document are also different. As is the validity: Type-D Visas are valid up to one year, and Temporary Residence Permits are valid up to 3 years.
As the Temporary Residence Permit is applied for within Poland, in practice, our Wizards who wish to stay in Poland long-term use it as a means to extend their stay beyond the 1-year validity of their Type-D Visa.
Can I come to Poland on a 90-day tourist visa and apply for the Temporary Residence Permit?
It may be theoretically possible, but we do not recommend this.
It is legally possible to apply for the Temporary Residence Permit while in Poland on a 90-day visa-free period, however, this is an extremely complex process that should be avoided if possible. We strongly recommend applying for a Type-D Visa from the Polish embassy in your home country as this is a far faster and less stressful process.
If your country of citizenship requires a Schengen Tourist Visa to enter Poland and the Schengen Area, this is not a possibility. You must obtain a work visa through a Polish consulate in your home country before coming to Poland.
Can visas or Temporary Residence Permits be renewed or extended?
Renewed, yes; extended, no.
Most Wizards come to Poland on a Type-D Visa will then apply for a Temporary Residence Permit shortly before the visa expires, allowing them to stay for a maximum of 3 years beyond the visa's expiration. There is no limit to how many times a Temporary Residence Permit can be extended.
After 5 years living in Poland on a Temporary Residence Permit, it is possible to apply for Permanent Residence and Long-Term EU Residence.
Can I get a visa for my spouse and/or kids as well?
In most cases, yes. Your spouse and dependent children can apply for a visa through the consulate on the basis of being your dependents. Dependent visas can usually be applied for at the same time as your work visa. Having dependent visas will not give your family permission to work in Poland.
You will most likely have to prove to the consulate that you have sufficient financial means to support your dependents for the duration of their stay, as an ESL teacher's remuneration is not considered enough to support a family.
Could travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic effect my ability to get a work visa and/or travel to Poland?
No.
Ever since Poland first introduced travel restrictions in March, work permit holders have been specifically exempt from all entry restrictions, being essential travelers. Polish embassies around the world are continuing to issue work visas, however some do occasionally suspend appointments due to high case numbers in their host countries. Please check with your nearest Polish embassy or consulate for an update regarding the status of visa services.
For more information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and how it may affect your travel to Poland, see our COVID-19 FAQ.
ARRIVAL SUPPORT
Nobody likes to feel alone when moving to a new country, and that’s why English Wizards provides a dedicated team to support our Wizards every step of the way.
Our support team will be there to answer your questions before traveling, pick you up at the airport when you land, and assist you in sorting out the basic necessities during your first few weeks.
What’s included:
- Personal assistance finding an apartment – we’ll make sure you have a place to stay, within your budget, ready when you arrive
- Airport pickup
- Personal assistance opening a bank account, setting up a phone plan, home Internet plan, and getting a local transit pass
- 1-week arrival orientation in Krakow or Warsaw – meet your fellow Wizards, join us on a few excursions, and master day-to-day life in Poland
- Personalized job matching assistance – we’ll work with you to beef up your CV, interviewing skills, and provide you with the insights necessary to match you with the job of your dreams
- A dedicated community manager available for the duration of your stay to assist with general problems inside and outside of the classroom
Price: Included in all programs at no extra cost
Does this package give me any sort of "priority" for job offers?
Not really.
When our partner schools contact us looking for the best teachers to hire, we select teachers to send forward on the basis of merit and who we feel is the best match in terms of personality, experience, and other character traits. So no, purchasing this package will not instantly push you to the top of any queue.
However, with the coaching and assistance that you receive from our job search specialists, you will most likely find yourself being contacted for interviews and hired by many schools that may have otherwise ignored your application.
With this package am I guaranteed to find a job?
We can never say “guarantee” because landing a job is ultimately in your hands if you’re coming on our Freelance Teaching Program. If you aren’t applying to schools as recommended by your Community Manager or aren’t showing up to interviews, it goes without saying that we won’t be able to match you
But here’s what we can say: IF you follow all of our provided job guidance and remain active in applying to job openings across Poland, we can guarantee that you will find something. Our support staff have over a decade of experience in the Polish ESL market and to this date, we have never failed to match a Wizard with a job. Should you successfully follow all of our guidance and still fail to find work, then it could only mean we haven’t done a very good job! In this unlikely scenario, we will happily give you a partial refund for this package.
I hate my job and want to quit. Can you help me find me another one?
Again, not exactly.
One of the reasons why our teachers find it so easy to find work with our assistance is due to our reputation amongst schools of working with reliable and hardworking teachers. By simply “walking out” you are not only ruining our relationship with the school, but also job opportunities for future teachers. So in most cases, the answer is no.
What we can do is assist in mediating any potential conflict you may be having with the school’s management. In the unlikely scenario that you are being grossly mistreated by the school, we can offer to help you find somewhere else to work.
How does your accommodation assistance work?
We will put you in touch with our support specialists who will speak with you about your ideal preferences for an apartment. You can let them know everything – your budget, ideal location, ideal size, whether you need a place that’s pet friendly, how much furniture is an absolute must, and so on. Our team will then contact multiple landlords in your ideal area to try to find the best deals before finally putting you in touch with them directly so you can make the final decision and on the apartment. We work exclusively with trusted, English-speaking landlords who are okay with renting to a foreigner and do not charge commissions or other “hidden fees.”
The end result is that you’ll have a place to call home from day #1, and you’ll be paying the “local price” for rent instead of the expat price. Trust us, your expat friends will be jealous!
I'm coming with a spouse or significant other! Will the Insured Teacher Package provide support for both of us?
Premium Residence package
If you’d like to stay in Poland for longer than the one year validity of your work visa, this means applying for a Temporary Residence Permit. While all of our Wizards will receive the necessary documents and guidance to do this themselves, dealing with the Polish bureaucracy alone can be very stressful and certainly isn’t for everyone.
For this reason, we offer the optional service of our immigration specialists to complete the entire process for you, 100% easy and painless.
What’s included:
- Personal assistance from our immigration agent in applying for the Temporary Residence Permit
- Translation of documents into Polish, when necessary
- Ongoing correspondence with the Immigration Office to ensure your permit is processed as fast as possible
- Ongoing personal assistance from our staff and immigration agent to maintain your legality, including filing and obtaining additional documents if needed
Price: €400
Not included: Temporary Residence Permit administrative fee (€100), medical insurance (required for residence permit, from €160 per year for the cheapest plans); personal documents such as passport scans, photographs, and proof of accommodation.
Accommodation packages
Our Accommodation Packages provide a range of affordable, quality-assured options to spend your first 2 weeks in Poland (and longer if necessary) at conveniently located guesthouses that you can book through us at an affordable flat rate.
For those coming for our Internship Programs or orientation week, these packages give you a convenient place to live, shared with other Wizards, and within walking distance to everything.
HOSTEL SHARED DORM
Spending your first two weeks in a centrally-located youth hostel can be an extremely affordable – and exciting – way to spend your time in a new city and meet fellow travellers.
We work exclusively with respectable, safe, and clean traveller hostels. Complimentary breakfast and lockers are always provided.
€200
15 days / 14 nights
GUESTHOUSE PRIVATE ROOM
Enjoy a splendid balance of privacy and authenticity by spending your first two weeks at a locally owned guesthouse.
You’ll have your own lockable room and personal space – while also having the priceless benefit of a local host and a welcoming to the Polish hospitality.
€350
15 days / 14 nights
PRIVATE APARTMENT
Treat yourself to a bit of privacy and luxury for your first two weeks with a temporary private apartment, all to yourself.
The centrally located apartment will be your home for two weeks, with all the space you need to cook, live, and work uninterrupted, just as you would at home.
€450
15 days / 14 nights
What if I want to stay XX nights instead of 14 nights?
That’s fine! Just like any accommodation provider, we can offer customized pricing options depending on exactly how long you’d like to stay. We can also offer day-by-day extensions if necessary.
From our experience, 15 days is the perfect amount of time to put aside for finding long-term accommodation in most Polish cities. It is also ideal for anyone participating in the training course of our Internship Programs.
If you would like to book the accommodation package for a different length of time, please contact us and we’ll provide you with a custom rate. As a rule of thumb, the weekly prices listed above stay the same for 1-week or 3-week stays, but if you want anything beyond that we can likely arrange a discounted rate with the accommodation provider.
Are these offers available in every city in Poland?
As of now, we can only guarantee this package in the two cities in which we run our orientation and training programs in: Krakow and Warsaw.
However, that doesn’t mean we can’t help you out if you’ll be moving to another city. Just let us know before booking this package and we’ll most likely be able to arrange something through our network.
If I'm coming with a friend or partner, can we share accommodation?
Will there be other Wizards staying with me?
If you’re coming to Krakow or Warsaw on one of our Internship Programs and opt for hostel or guesthouse accommodation for your training course and city orientation week, there will most definitely be other interns staying with you on the premises. A lovely new way to make some friends!
What are the quiet hours, checkout times, guest policies, etc?
We are also not responsible for any penalties you may occur for damaging the property or breaching the host’s guidelines.
Medical Insurance Packages
EMERGENCY INSURANCE
Emergency medical insurance is a “must-have” for anyone living, or even just traveling overseas. With emergency insurance, you’ll be financially covered if the worst was to happen. The plan provided through this package meets the requirements for non-EU citizens looking to get a work visa and/ or residence permit.
Packages Include:
- Emergency coverage of up to €30,000 in expenses
- Covers medical expenses in the event of an accident or sudden illness
PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE
For those that want a fully comprehensive medical insurance package, this is the package for you. With private medical insurance, you can rest assured knowing that a free appointment with any English-speaking doctor or specialist is never more than a quick phone call away.
Packages Include:
- Emergency coverage of up to €30,000 in expenses
- Covers medical expenses in the event of an accident or sudden illness
- Access to private medical facilities at over 1000 clinics and hospitals around Poland with English-speaking doctors
- Unlimited visits to physicians and most medical specialists
- Routine vaccinations
- Laboratory and Imaging services
- Dental care
- Consultations with a psychologist or psychiatrist
- Emergency home visits
From
€160
Per Year
€430
Per Year
All insurance plans provided through English Wizards meet the requirements for getting a
work visa (Type-D) and Temporary Residence Permit.
I am not an EU citizen. Am I required to have medical insurance in Poland?
I am an EU citizen. Am I required to have private medical insurance in Poland?
I already have travel insurance or another insurance plan that covers me in Poland. Will that be sufficient for my work visa and/or Residence Permit?
I don’t need emergency insurance as I already have travel insurance. Is it possible to get the Private Medical Insurance package without emergency insurance?
I am on the Emergency Insurance Package. What can I do if I need to see a doctor?
I’ve already purchased a package, but would like to upgrade to a more comprehensive package. Is this possible?
I am coming with a partner or family member! Do you offer plans for families or couples?
- First family member/partner: €420
- Second family member: €370
- Each additional family member: €160 per person
What services are included in the Private Medical Insurance package?
I won’t be staying in Poland for a full year. Are these packages available for shorter durations?
Is it possible to pay for these packages on a monthly plan instead of annually?
Ready to Begin the Journey?
APPLYING & ELIGIBILITY
Can I work anywhere in Poland, or am I limited to certain cities?
Warsaw has by far the highest demand for English teachers, followed by Krakow, so choosing either of these cities will make the job hunt much easier.
Am I free to arrive in Poland at anytime, or does the program have specific start dates?
However, the biggest hiring seasons for English teachers in Poland is between September and mid October, and again between January and mid February. We highly recommend that you schedule your arrival for one of these hiring seasons to give yourself the biggest window of opportunity to find work.
Why am I not guaranteed a job before I arrive?
If you would prefer to come to Poland with a guaranteed job, you can apply for our Language Assistant program.
What are the chances that you'll be able to find me a teaching job before I arrive?
I'm pretty flexible about when I start and I'd prefer not to come to Poland before I have a job offer. Can I simply wait until I receive a job offer before I come?
Will joining the English Wizards community make it easier to find a job?
Additionally, for non-EU citizens, our program provides a solution to the “chicken and egg” catch common in Poland and other EU countries: You can’t get a job until you’re legal to work, but you can’t be legal to work until you have a job. As an English Wizard, you will have a work visa allowing you to legally teach English in Poland, so you can tell schools that you are already legal to work and they can hire you without any additional procedures.
Finally, being part of the English Wizards community means that you are part of Poland’s largest community of native English teachers In addition to support you’ll receive from our community managers and your fellow Wizards, this translates to the #1 job hunting resource: word of mouth.
If being accepted doesn't guarantee me a job, why is your criteria so high?
Can I apply alongside a friend or partner?
I am currently traveling/working/studying abroad! Can I become a Wizard and start working without having to go home first?
What are my odds of being accepted if I am not a native English speaker?
English is my first language, but I come from a non-English speaking country. What are my chances of being accepted?
I have a TEFL certificate and a degree, but I've never taught English before. Am I eligible to apply?
We highly recommend that less experienced teachers first start with our Language Assistant program. You are free to begin hunting for full-time teaching work during your time as a Language Assistant.
I do not have a Bachelor's Degree. Am I still eligible?
I do not have a TEFL Certificate. Can apply and get certified later?
COSTS & VISAS
Is this really free? Where are the hidden costs?
We do offer additional services for an extra cost, such as the assistance of our immigration agent in filing for your visa or residence permit. However, these services are completely optional and we will never pressure you into opting-in.
If it's really free how do you make money?
Do I need a visa?
How does the visa process work?
What documents are required for the visa?
How much does it cost to obtain a visa?
Am I eligible for a Polish work visa?
I am from the UK. How will Brexit affect my eligibility to work in Poland without needing a visa?
Will the visa be tied to my job? How can I legally do private tutoring or work part-time at multiple schools?
For private tutoring, we offer a simple (and 100% legal) system of invoicing your private students and including the pay in your monthly pay check.
Keep in mind that your work permit only allows you to work as an English teacher, so getting paid for any work that isn’t English teaching is not legal. If you would like to “branch out” and find other work, let us know as we may be able to modify your work permit accordingly.
LIVING & SUPPORT
Where will I live?
How will I get to work and get around?
Will it be hard to have a social life in Poland?
How does pay work?
What kind of support will I receive before departing to Europe?
What kind of support will I receive while I am in Poland?
What kind of hours will I be teaching?
Teaching “full time” for an English teacher in Europe generally means teaching 20-30 hours a week, and very few teachers work more than that. It is very common for schools to offer new teachers only part time hours, often between 5 and 15 hours per week, until they have proven themselves as a good fit for their classroom. As such, you should be ready to only work part-time (or juggle multiple part-time jobs) during their first few months before filling up your schedule.
I hate my job! Can I quit and find another?
How long can I stay for? Is it possible to extend my stay if my visa is expiring?
How do taxes work?
We offer all of our Wizards a handy cheat sheet explaining the difference between “netto” and “brutto” rates in Poland in order to make negociating your salary a breeze.
APPLYING & ELIGIBILITY
Can I work anywhere in Poland, or am I limited to certain cities?
Warsaw has by far the highest demand for English teachers, followed by Krakow, so choosing either of these cities will make the job hunt much easier.
Am I free to arrive in Poland at anytime, or does the program have specific start dates?
However, the biggest hiring seasons for English teachers in Poland is between September and mid October, and again between January and mid February. We highly recommend that you schedule your arrival for one of these hiring seasons to give yourself the biggest window of opportunity to find work.
Why am I not guaranteed a job before I arrive?
If you would prefer to come to Poland with a guaranteed job, you can apply for our Language Assistant program.
What are the chances that you'll be able to find me a teaching job before I arrive?
I'm pretty flexible about when I start and I'd prefer not to come to Poland before I have a job offer. Can I simply wait until I receive a job offer before I come?
Will joining the English Wizards community make it easier to find a job?
Additionally, for non-EU citizens, our program provides a solution to the “chicken and egg” catch common in Poland and other EU countries: You can’t get a job until you’re legal to work, but you can’t be legal to work until you have a job. As an English Wizard, you will have a work visa allowing you to legally teach English in Poland, so you can tell schools that you are already legal to work and they can hire you without any additional procedures.
Finally, being part of the English Wizards community means that you are part of Poland’s largest community of native English teachers In addition to support you’ll receive from our community managers and your fellow Wizards, this translates to the #1 job hunting resource: word of mouth.
If being accepted doesn't guarantee me a job, why is your criteria so high?
Can I apply alongside a friend or partner?
I am currently traveling/working/studying abroad! Can I become a Wizard and start working without having to go home first?
What are my odds of being accepted if I am not a native English speaker?
English is my first language, but I come from a non-English speaking country. What are my chances of being accepted?
I have a TEFL certificate and a degree, but I've never taught English before. Am I eligible to apply?
We highly recommend that less experienced teachers first start with our Language Assistant program. You are free to begin hunting for full-time teaching work during your time as a Language Assistant.
I do not have a Bachelor's Degree. Am I still eligible?
I do not have a TEFL Certificate. Can apply and get certified later?
COSTS & VISAS
Is this really free? Where are the hidden costs?
We do offer additional services for an extra cost, such as the assistance of our immigration agent in filing for your visa or residence permit. However, these services are completely optional and we will never pressure you into opting-in.
If it's really free how do you make money?
Do I need a visa?
How does the visa process work?
What documents are required for the visa?
How much does it cost to obtain a visa?
Am I eligible for a Polish work visa?
I am from the UK. How will Brexit affect my eligibility to work in Poland without needing a visa?
Will the visa be tied to my job? How can I legally do private tutoring or work part-time at multiple schools?
For private tutoring, we offer a simple (and 100% legal) system of invoicing your private students and including the pay in your monthly pay check.
Keep in mind that your work permit only allows you to work as an English teacher, so getting paid for any work that isn’t English teaching is not legal. If you would like to “branch out” and find other work, let us know as we may be able to modify your work permit accordingly.
LIVING & SUPPORT
Where will I live?
How will I get to work and get around?
Will it be hard to have a social life in Poland?
How does pay work?
What kind of support will I receive before departing to Europe?
What kind of support will I receive while I am in Poland?
What kind of hours will I be teaching?
Teaching “full time” for an English teacher in Europe generally means teaching 20-30 hours a week, and very few teachers work more than that. It is very common for schools to offer new teachers only part time hours, often between 5 and 15 hours per week, until they have proven themselves as a good fit for their classroom. As such, you should be ready to only work part-time (or juggle multiple part-time jobs) during their first few months before filling up your schedule.
I hate my job! Can I quit and find another?
How long can I stay for? Is it possible to extend my stay if my visa is expiring?
How do taxes work?
We offer all of our Wizards a handy cheat sheet explaining the difference between “netto” and “brutto” rates in Poland in order to make negociating your salary a breeze.
APPLYING & ELIGIBILITY
Can I work anywhere in Poland, or am I limited to certain cities?
Warsaw has by far the highest demand for English teachers, followed by Krakow, so choosing either of these cities will make the job hunt much easier.
Am I free to arrive in Poland at anytime, or does the program have specific start dates?
However, the biggest hiring seasons for English teachers in Poland is between September and mid October, and again between January and mid February. We highly recommend that you schedule your arrival for one of these hiring seasons to give yourself the biggest window of opportunity to find work.
Why am I not guaranteed a job before I arrive?
If you would prefer to come to Poland with a guaranteed job, you can apply for our Language Assistant program.
What are the chances that you'll be able to find me a teaching job before I arrive?
I'm pretty flexible about when I start and I'd prefer not to come to Poland before I have a job offer. Can I simply wait until I receive a job offer before I come?
Will joining the English Wizards community make it easier to find a job?
Additionally, for non-EU citizens, our program provides a solution to the “chicken and egg” catch common in Poland and other EU countries: You can’t get a job until you’re legal to work, but you can’t be legal to work until you have a job. As an English Wizard, you will have a work visa allowing you to legally teach English in Poland, so you can tell schools that you are already legal to work and they can hire you without any additional procedures.
Finally, being part of the English Wizards community means that you are part of Poland’s largest community of native English teachers In addition to support you’ll receive from our community managers and your fellow Wizards, this translates to the #1 job hunting resource: word of mouth.
If being accepted doesn't guarantee me a job, why is your criteria so high?
Can I apply alongside a friend or partner?
I am currently traveling/working/studying abroad! Can I become a Wizard and start working without having to go home first?
What are my odds of being accepted if I am not a native English speaker?
English is my first language, but I come from a non-English speaking country. What are my chances of being accepted?
I have a TEFL certificate and a degree, but I've never taught English before. Am I eligible to apply?
We highly recommend that less experienced teachers first start with our Language Assistant program. You are free to begin hunting for full-time teaching work during your time as a Language Assistant.
I do not have a Bachelor's Degree. Am I still eligible?
I do not have a TEFL Certificate. Can apply and get certified later?
COSTS & VISAS
Is this really free? Where are the hidden costs?
We do offer additional services for an extra cost, such as the assistance of our immigration agent in filing for your visa or residence permit. However, these services are completely optional and we will never pressure you into opting-in.
If it's really free how do you make money?
Do I need a visa?
How does the visa process work?
What documents are required for the visa?
How much does it cost to obtain a visa?
Am I eligible for a Polish work visa?
I am from the UK. How will Brexit affect my eligibility to work in Poland without needing a visa?
Will the visa be tied to my job? How can I legally do private tutoring or work part-time at multiple schools?
For private tutoring, we offer a simple (and 100% legal) system of invoicing your private students and including the pay in your monthly pay check.
Keep in mind that your work permit only allows you to work as an English teacher, so getting paid for any work that isn’t English teaching is not legal. If you would like to “branch out” and find other work, let us know as we may be able to modify your work permit accordingly.
LIVING & SUPPORT
Where will I live?
How will I get to work and get around?
Will it be hard to have a social life in Poland?
How does pay work?
What kind of support will I receive before departing to Europe?
What kind of support will I receive while I am in Poland?
What kind of hours will I be teaching?
Teaching “full time” for an English teacher in Europe generally means teaching 20-30 hours a week, and very few teachers work more than that. It is very common for schools to offer new teachers only part time hours, often between 5 and 15 hours per week, until they have proven themselves as a good fit for their classroom. As such, you should be ready to only work part-time (or juggle multiple part-time jobs) during their first few months before filling up your schedule.
I hate my job! Can I quit and find another?
How long can I stay for? Is it possible to extend my stay if my visa is expiring?
How do taxes work?
We offer all of our Wizards a handy cheat sheet explaining the difference between “netto” and “brutto” rates in Poland in order to make negociating your salary a breeze.