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.

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 (about €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.

What documents are required for the work visa?

You will need a copy of your TEFL certification in order to apply for your work permit with our help.

Required documents for the visa can vary from consulate to consulate, so make sure to check with your local consulate. But in general, the Polish government will require the following documents:

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 or your school has offered to provide medical insurance, 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

You will usually not be required to get your documents certified, apostilled, or translated into Polish in most cases.

For a full overview of the visa process and what is required, click here to request our full informational pack.

I am a citizen of a non-English speaking country. Am I eligible for this visa?

Yes!

However, due to restrictions applied at certain Polish embassies around the world, we have realized that when dealing with embassies in certain countries, there is a high probability of visa rejection:

Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Benin
Bhutan
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau nationals)
Comoros
Cuba
Democratic Republic of Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
The Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau

Eritrea
Ethiopia
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria

North Korea
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Philippines
Qatar
Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
São Tomé & Principe
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen

While we take pride in the diversity of our community and the fact that our Wizards represent over 30 countries on 6 continents, we must remind potential applicants that visa laws are not always fairly enforced. 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), then you should have no issues. We do not discriminate on the basis of nationality in our recruitment process and we will continue to accept teachers with the right qualifications regardless of their passports.

Because of this, although we will never outright reject a potential Wizard on the basis of your passport, we do feel as if it is our obligation to do our due diligence in being honest about the probability of visa approval in circumstances when there is a non-zero chance of visa rejection. Our program fees cannot be refunded in cases of visa rejection.

With the exception of getting visas in the above-listed countries, we have never had any issues getting visas approved for the 300+ Wizards who have been part of our community.

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 qualification for your profession 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 (or another form of work permission) must be approved, which is a process that can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 5 months, depending on a number of factors

For a full overview of the visa process and estimated timelines depending on what program you're coming on, click here to download our full visa breakdown.

Will my visa allow me to travel to other EU countries?

Yes. Polish Type-D Visas and Temporary Residence Permits are valid for temporary leisure travel in all 22 EU countries that make up the Schengen Area, as well as the non-Schengen EU countries of Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus. They are also valid for travel to certain non-EU countries in Europe, such as Albania, Serbia, and Georgia.

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 a Temporary Residence Permit while in Poland on a 90-day visa-free period, however, this is a very 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 generally not considered enough to support a family. English Wizards cannot provide any additional documentation to facilitate the visas or Residence Permits of your dependents.

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 2020, work permit holders have been specifically exempt from all entry restrictions, being essential travelers. Poland lifted all remaining COVID restrictions (including those on travel) in March 2022. Although it is impossible to guarantee that some travel restrictions won't return, it is almost certain that no matter how tough the restrictions are, work permit holders will continue to be exempt as essential travelers.

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

I hate my job and want to quit. Can you help me find me another one?

Not exactly.

One of the reasons why we are able to place teachers at such a consistent rate is due to our reputation amongst schools for providing them 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 who isn't coming with English Wizards. Can they receive this support as well?

Yes! We love to help couples. As long as you will be sharing accommodation, we can provide this package for your partner as well rate. As long as one of you has signed up for one of our programs which includes this package, you’ll both be fully supported 🙂

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.

€250

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.

€550

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.

€650

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 our Orientation Weeks in Krakow.

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 Krakow, as that’s where we run our Orientation Week.

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?

Certainly! All private rooms and apartments can be shared by a maximum of two people, so feel free to split the package with your friend or significant other. Note that there will very likely only be one double bed available.

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?

The individual regulations and guidelines for each booking will be provided to you by the host. English Wizards does not directly manage any of the properties.

We are also not responsible for any penalties you may occur for damaging the property or breaching the host’s guidelines.

Medical Insurance Packages

As a foreigner in Poland, you are responsible for your own medical coverage. Although Polish healthcare is extremely reliable and affordable, navigating the system as a foreigner can be very tough if you do not speak the language. Many expats end up paying extremely high local prices for travel or expat insurance packages.

For this reason, we have partnered with a number of Poland’s most reputable private medical providers to provide top-quality medical insurance options for our Wizards at extremely affordable rates.

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
Meets the medical insurance requirements for the work visa and residence permit

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:

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

€25

Per Month

Click here to request more information about our Medical Insurance Packages.

I am not an EU citizen. Am I required to have medical insurance in Poland?

Yes. Having valid emergency medical insurance covering medical expenses in the event of an accident or sudden illness is a legal requirement for both the work visa (Type-D) and Temporary Residence Permit. Our Emergency Insurance Package meets this requirement.

I am an EU citizen. Am I required to have private medical insurance in Poland?

Legally speaking, yes. Although EU citizens are entitled to public medical coverage throughout the EU with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), this card only covers medical emergencies during temporary visits. So while you might get away with using your EHIC during the first few months in Poland, if you’re living in Poland long term you need to have Polish insurance. Furthermore, the EHIC is also only valid at public hospitals, and finding English-speaking doctors available at public hospitals in Poland can be quite tricky. For all of these reasons, we highly recommend that EU citizens take advantage of our medical insurance packages as well.

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?

If your current insurance covers you in Poland and covers up to €30,000 in emergency medical expenses, then yes, it is sufficient for your visa and Residence Permit. However, we still encourage you to look into our Private Medical Insurance package, as travel insurance most likely only covers you during emergencies.

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?

Yes, this is possible. Pricing for the Private Medical Insurance package starts at €400 per year for plans without emergency medical coverage.

The school I've been placed at is offering me insurance as part of my contract. Will I still need an emergency insurance plan for my visa?

If your school is offering national health insurance through NFZ (Poland’s national health agency) as part of your contract, this will suffice for visa and Residence Permit purposes. You will simply need to show that this is guaranteed in your contract.

However, if the school is offering a private insurance plan, it likely will not meet the requirements. Make sure to confirm with your school what insurance plan they are offering, and let us know so we can advise if it will meet the requirements or not.

I am on the Emergency Insurance Package. What can I do if I need to see a doctor?

If it’s an emergency, go to your nearest hospital and follow the procedure described in your documentation to file a claim when you receive the bill.

If it’s not an emergency, your best bet is to schedule an appointment at a private medical clinic and pay “out of pocket.” Most have doctors that can speak English. A standard consultation will cost around 100 – 200 PLN (€25 – 50), while seeing a specialist or getting a more complex procedure can be significantly more expensive.

I’ve already purchased a package, but would like to upgrade to a more comprehensive package. Is this possible?

Yes, of course. Please contact us if you’d like to upgrade and we’ll take care of it right away.

I am coming with a partner or family member! Do you offer plans for families or couples?

We sure do! You can add extra family members to our Private Medical Insurance packages from the following prices:

First family member/partner: €420
Second family member: €370
Each additional family member: €160 per person

Unfortunately, we cannot offer family plans for the Emergency Insurance Package, as this package is charged at a flat-rate per person.

What services are included in the Private Medical Insurance package?

For a full overview of the plan, what’s included, and what isn’t included, click here to request the full policy description from our partner medical provider.

I won’t be staying in Poland for a full year. Are these packages available for shorter durations?

Emergency Insurance Packages are available for a 6-month duration for €80. If you’ll be using this package as part of your visa application, bear in mind that having a 6-month medical insurance plan will mean that your visa will only be valid for 6 months.

Private Medical Insurance packages are offered on a monthly subscription basis, so how long you want to remain insured is up to you.

Is it possible to pay for these packages on a monthly plan instead of annually?

For the Private Medical Insurance Packages, it is possible to pay on a monthly plan. A Polish address is required for registration, so for these packages, we advise waiting until you are in Poland to register.

Unfortunately, this is not possible with the Emergency Insurance Package, which must be paid in full upon signing up.

Ready to Begin the Journey?

Apply Here

APPLYING & ELIGIBILITY

Can I work anywhere in Poland, or am I limited to certain cities?

You are welcome to apply for jobs and through our program anywhere in Poland. However, our network of schools where we may be able to offer you direct placements is currently limited to the cities we operate in: Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, and Katowice. We are also only able to provide the “on site” aspects of our community based support in these 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?

Our program does not have any specific start dates, and you are free to arrive (or leave) as you please. We only ask that you arrive at least 5 days before you plan to begin teaching, and do not leave in the middle of a teaching semester for obvious reasons.

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?

We are a teaching community, not a recruitment agency or a language school. As such, it is not possible for us to guarantee a job for any of our Wizards. Schools in Poland do their own hiring, so no matter what you will still have to interview and get hired by a school before you start teaching.

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?

While we try our best to match all approved Wizards with jobs before their arrival, this is not always possible as many schools in Poland will only hire face-to-face. On average, about half of our inbound Wizards are able to secure work through our network before arriving, and another chunk arrive with interviews or trial classes already setup. The overwhelming majority of the remaining Wizards are able to find work within their first month in Poland.

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?

Theoretically yes, but realistically, this is not something to rely on unless you are extremely qualified and/or willing to do a bit of your own job hunting in advance. While we do put forward Wizards to our partner schools before they arrive, for obvious reasons we do prioritize Wizards who are already here, and then Wizards who have already confirmed their arrival date. Furthermore, many schools are reluctant to consider applicants who are not already here or planning to be here by a certain date. If you are not capable of doing your own job hunting before and after arriving in Europe, this is not the program for you. Feel free to apply to our Language Assistant program if you’d feel more comfortable having a guaranteed job before embarking on your travels.

Will joining the English Wizards community make it easier to find a job?

Absolutely. Teaching jobs in Poland, like the rest of Europe, are rarely advertised overseas, and most schools will expect you to already be in the country before making the call to hire you. Our network of schools provides a “back door” to interview in advance to teaching jobs that would not otherwise be advertised or available to you.

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?

Being accepted as a Wizard means that you are part of our community. As a teaching community, we pride ourselves on being made up of 100% top quality English teachers. It also means that we will be sending you forward to our partner schools, arranging a work visa on your behalf, and providing you with an enormous amount of additional job searching support. Similar companies in Europe charge hundreds, or even thousands of dollars for services like ours. We provide these services free of charge to teachers we firmly believe will have no problem finding work as an English Wizard and representing the English Wizards community.

Can I apply alongside a friend or partner?

Absolutely! Just specify in your application that you would like to teach in the same city. If you would like to share accommodation, you can let your Community Manager know this once you have been accepted.

I am currently traveling/working/studying abroad! Can I become a Wizard and start working without having to go home first?

Absolutely! We love seeing applications from future Wizards who have already made the jump into life overseas. However, if you are not an EU citizen, you may not be able to get a visa before you arrive, as it is not always possible to obtain a Polish visa in a third country. Instead, you will have to come to Poland without a visa and apply for a Residence Permit at the Immigration Office.

What are my odds of being accepted if I am not a native English speaker?

This depends on how fluently and clearly you can speak English. If your level of English is anything below perfectly fluent or if you have a non-native accent, we unfortunately cannot accept you as a Wizard. Poland, like the rest of Europe, has a very high level of English proficiency. There is no shortage of local teachers who can speak C1 English and have advanced degrees and loads of teaching experience. For us to be able to consider you, you must offer something that no Polish teacher can offer: a native understanding of the English language. If you can speak English with a native proficiency and a neutral accent, and can prove it in your interview, we will gladly accept you. However, you must still be prepared for a more competitive job hunt if English is not your first language, and the chances that we will be able to guarantee you a job before your arrival will be slimmer.

English is my first language, but I come from a non-English speaking country. What are my chances of being accepted?

If English is still your first language and you speak with a clear, standard accent, we will usually still be able to accept you as long as you meet our full requirements. For example, if you were born in Guatemala, hold Guatemalan citizenship, but moved to the U.S. at a very young age and speak English perfectly with an American accent, we will treat your will will view your application with the same merits as an American-born native speaker.

I have a TEFL certificate and a degree, but I've never taught English before. Am I eligible to apply?

If you are a Native Speaker and a qualified teacher, you are welcome to apply, and if we think you have what it takes to make a great Wizard, we can accept you into the program. However, if you have no teaching experience, the chances that we’ll be able to match you with potential jobs before you arrive is very slim, so you should be prepared for a more competitive job hunt upon arrival.

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?

Yes, assuming you meet the rest of our eligibility requirements. A Bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Poland, although it is a plus. Wizards without a Bachelor’s degree who possess a TEFL and prior teaching experience usually have no issue finding jobs in Poland.

I do not have a TEFL Certificate. Can apply and get certified later?

Absolutely. We work with a TEFL certification program to provide our Wizards with a discounted TEFL course which you can take as you hunt for jobs. If you are new to teaching, we highly recommend you instead apply for our Language Assistant program, which will guarantee you part time work and accommodation as you complete your TEFL.

COSTS & VISAS

Is this really free? Where are the hidden costs?

Yes it is free, you have read everything correctly. At English Wizards we never have and never will charge a program fee for our Teach in Poland program, nor any other program that we run. While our job assistance and other services are free of charge, you will be responsible for your own travel and living expenses, including the costs associated with the visa and work permit if you require one.

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?

English Wizards is a community of Native English Teachers that provide teaching services to schools, businesses, and other clients all over Poland. We also offer the schools that we work with a huge variety of other services in addition to top-quality teachers like yourself, such as outsourced payroll and tax compliance. Just like how the schools pay teachers for their teaching, schools pay us for our services.

Do I need a visa?

If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country, the answer is no. You can work freely in Poland without a visa. But if you are not an EU or EEA national, you must have a work visa to work in Poland. Our team is very experienced with this process and will help you obtain one.

How does the visa process work?

It’s a bit complicated, that’s why our legal team does the dirty work! But in a nutshell: There are two steps to obtaining a Polish work visa. First, the company you’ll be working for (us) applies for a work permit through the local labor office. Next, you take the work permit, your passport, and a few other documents to the nearest Polish consulate or embassy and receive a work visa. Alternatively, you can travel to Poland and submit the documents at a local Immigration Office and obtain a Residence Permit.

What documents are required for the visa?

The Polish government requires you to submit the following documents to receive a work visa:

• The completed Visa Application Form

• Your approved work permit (we’ll send this to you)

• Your passport and a copy of the main page

• Proof of medical insurance (if you already have insurance, this may suffice. Otherwise we can help you obtain Polish insurance)

• Proof of accommodation in Poland (we can help you arrange this)

• Your flight reservation to Poland (not applicable if applying within Poland)

• Fee payment

How much does it cost to obtain a visa?

The cost of obtaining a Polish work permit is 500PLN (about €115). This must be paid to us, as we will be taking care of the entire work permit process, including fee payments. If you are applying outside of Poland, you must also pay the consulate fee, which varies from country to country. For example, in the U.S. it is 72 USD and in New Zealand it is 102 NZD. If you are applying within Poland, you must instead pay the Residence Permit fee of 490PLN.

Am I eligible for a Polish work visa?

In a nutshell, yes. If you meet our eligibility requirements of our Teach in Poland program and you are accepted, yes you qualify for a Polish work visa. The only possible situation where there may be complications is if you have a criminal record or any mental or physical health issues. If this applies to you, please indicate so in your application.

I am from the UK. How will Brexit affect my eligibility to work in Poland without needing a visa?

As of now, you can still freely live and work in Poland without a visa, but unfortunately nobody can say for sure about the future. However, the Polish government has vowed to allow UK citizens to remain in Poland without any additional red tape in the event of a “no deal” Brexit. Essentially, you should be fine unless something goes horribly wrong. And even if it does, we’re ready to make sure you’ll find a way to stay here!

Will the visa be tied to my job? How can I legally do private tutoring or work part-time at multiple schools?

Polish work visas are always tied to the employer that arranged the work permit. Traditionally, non-EU English teachers are caught in a trap since it isn’t legal to work at more than one school. Being part of the English Wizards community means that you’ll have a work-around to this frustrating limitation, as your work permit will be with English Wizards, and not any particular school. You are free to teach English anywhere you’d like, and we provide outsourced payroll services to schools which allow them to pay you legally under your work visa.

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?

In an apartment of course! Your Community Manager can assist you in finding a good deal on an apartment before you arrive. If you’d prefer to split the rent, he or she can also help put you in touch with like-minded flatmates (most often fellow Wizards). The cost of rent in Poland ranges from less than €200 for a shared apartment on the outskirts of a city, to over a bit over €300 a month for a private apartment near the center. Most Wizards choose to live somewhere close to the center of the city in order to be right in the center of the action, but many choose to save on rent by living further out. Public transportation in Poland is excellent so no matter where you live, commuting won’t be an issue.

How will I get to work and get around?

Just like the locals, of course! Navigating Polish cities is very easy, as all have well developed and reliable public transportation systems, with buses, trams, and in the case of Warsaw, a metro. Cities offer transit passes for around €20-30 per month depending on the city. Your Program Director can show you how to obtain one of these. Some Wizards who choose to live near the city center are lucky enough to live within walking distance of their jobs.

Will it be hard to have a social life in Poland?

Not at all! You will quickly get to meet the other Wizards working in your city through our Facebook group and regular social events. All cities in Poland where we have Wizards working in are very cosmopolitan and have vibrant expat scenes. These communities of fellow foreigners are usually very friendly, with Facebook groups and regular meetups to welcome newcomers to the city. The Polish people are also very friendly and welcoming to foreigners, just make a few trips to a social bar or cafe and you’ll see for yourself! The level of English spoken by Poles is very high, so the language barrier is rarely a problem when meeting locals. In many cities, Community Managers also organize language exchanges, which are a perfect opportunity to mingle with locals, expats, and fellow Wizards.

How does pay work?

You will get paid by the hour, and will be paid monthly via bank transfer. The rate of pay will depend on whaat job you are able to land, and you are completely free to negotiate your own pay rate with your employer. English Wizards does not mediate such negotiations, however can offer you advice on what rate(s) can be expected from which schools.

What kind of support will I receive before departing to Europe?

As soon as we approve you into the English Wizards community, we will begin putting you forward to job opportunities with our partner schools, and many Wizards have the opportunity to interview over Skype with schools before arriving.

Your Community Manager will also be in touch with you as soon as your placement has been confirmed. He or she can offer you additional assistance with the job hunt in case you’d like to start applying for jobs on your own before you touch down. He or she can also help you arrange accommodation so you know you’ll have somewhere to stay as soon as you arrive.

What kind of support will I receive while I am in Poland?

From the moment you get off the plane, your Community Manager will never be more than a quick call or text message away. He or she will give you an introduction to the city and assist you in opening a bank account, getting a phone plan, using the public transit, and much much more. Most Community Managers also organize social events to give Wizards the opportunity to meet each other and socialize with locals. Remember we choose our Community Managers very carefully – they are fun loving people just like you, not boring office administrators.

If you have not yet found a job, or would like additional work, our team will happily assist you in finding work and navigating the teaching job market. You will have access to potential jobs through our network, and your Community Manager can assist you in “Polish-ing up” your CV and utilizing the best resources to hunt for teaching jobs.

In the rare event that you require assistance beyond the capabilities of your Community Manager, our main office is also never more than a quick phone call or email away.

What kind of hours will I be teaching?

The exact nature of the hours is between you and the school or business. Typically, teachers at public and private schools will work regular school hours, teachers at language centers will work weekday afternoons and evenings and occasional Saturday mornings, and business English teachers will work weekday mornings and early afternoons.

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?

What goes on at your workplace is between you and the school management, however if you begin teaching at a particular school, in almost every case you are contractually bound to finish the semester before quitting. We uphold this through our contracts as well, and will not simply allow you to take new work through English Wizards after “walking out.”

However, we do hold every school that we work with to a very high standard in how we expect them to treat and manage our teachers. If you feel as if you are being mistreated by the school’s management, please let us know immediately and we will attempt to resolve the issue. If the unlikely event that this fails, we can terminate our contract with the school and you are free to find work elsewhere.

How long can I stay for? Is it possible to extend my stay if my visa is expiring?

We have no limit to how long you can stay with us in Poland providing that your teaching work is continuously superb. A visa is by default valid for one year, and a residence permit is valid for 3 years. Extending the length of your legal stay simply requires applying for an updated visa or residence permit, which is usually far easier than applying for the first one.

How do taxes work?

In Poland, personal income taxes are paid by the employer and not the individual. That is, the school will pay income taxes and social security payments on your behalf as part of your “brutto” salary. The salary the school offers will almost always be the “netto” rate – that is, what you get in your hand. There are no further taxes on this income, and you can see and spend every last penny of your “netto” salary. You will never have to file taxes.

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?

You are welcome to apply for jobs and through our program anywhere in Poland. However, our network of schools where we may be able to offer you direct placements is currently limited to the cities we operate in: Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, and Katowice. We are also only able to provide the “on site” aspects of our community based support in these 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?

Our program does not have any specific start dates, and you are free to arrive (or leave) as you please. We only ask that you arrive at least 5 days before you plan to begin teaching, and do not leave in the middle of a teaching semester for obvious reasons.

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?

We are a teaching community, not a recruitment agency or a language school. As such, it is not possible for us to guarantee a job for any of our Wizards. Schools in Poland do their own hiring, so no matter what you will still have to interview and get hired by a school before you start teaching.

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?

While we try our best to match all approved Wizards with jobs before their arrival, this is not always possible as many schools in Poland will only hire face-to-face. On average, about half of our inbound Wizards are able to secure work through our network before arriving, and another chunk arrive with interviews or trial classes already setup. The overwhelming majority of the remaining Wizards are able to find work within their first month in Poland.

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?

Theoretically yes, but realistically, this is not something to rely on unless you are extremely qualified and/or willing to do a bit of your own job hunting in advance. While we do put forward Wizards to our partner schools before they arrive, for obvious reasons we do prioritize Wizards who are already here, and then Wizards who have already confirmed their arrival date. Furthermore, many schools are reluctant to consider applicants who are not already here or planning to be here by a certain date. If you are not capable of doing your own job hunting before and after arriving in Europe, this is not the program for you. Feel free to apply to our Language Assistant program if you’d feel more comfortable having a guaranteed job before embarking on your travels.

Will joining the English Wizards community make it easier to find a job?

Absolutely. Teaching jobs in Poland, like the rest of Europe, are rarely advertised overseas, and most schools will expect you to already be in the country before making the call to hire you. Our network of schools provides a “back door” to interview in advance to teaching jobs that would not otherwise be advertised or available to you.

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?

Being accepted as a Wizard means that you are part of our community. As a teaching community, we pride ourselves on being made up of 100% top quality English teachers. It also means that we will be sending you forward to our partner schools, arranging a work visa on your behalf, and providing you with an enormous amount of additional job searching support. Similar companies in Europe charge hundreds, or even thousands of dollars for services like ours. We provide these services free of charge to teachers we firmly believe will have no problem finding work as an English Wizard and representing the English Wizards community.

Can I apply alongside a friend or partner?

Absolutely! Just specify in your application that you would like to teach in the same city. If you would like to share accommodation, you can let your Community Manager know this once you have been accepted.

I am currently traveling/working/studying abroad! Can I become a Wizard and start working without having to go home first?

Absolutely! We love seeing applications from future Wizards who have already made the jump into life overseas. However, if you are not an EU citizen, you may not be able to get a visa before you arrive, as it is not always possible to obtain a Polish visa in a third country. Instead, you will have to come to Poland without a visa and apply for a Residence Permit at the Immigration Office.

What are my odds of being accepted if I am not a native English speaker?

This depends on how fluently and clearly you can speak English. If your level of English is anything below perfectly fluent or if you have a non-native accent, we unfortunately cannot accept you as a Wizard. Poland, like the rest of Europe, has a very high level of English proficiency. There is no shortage of local teachers who can speak C1 English and have advanced degrees and loads of teaching experience. For us to be able to consider you, you must offer something that no Polish teacher can offer: a native understanding of the English language. If you can speak English with a native proficiency and a neutral accent, and can prove it in your interview, we will gladly accept you. However, you must still be prepared for a more competitive job hunt if English is not your first language, and the chances that we will be able to guarantee you a job before your arrival will be slimmer.

English is my first language, but I come from a non-English speaking country. What are my chances of being accepted?

If English is still your first language and you speak with a clear, standard accent, we will usually still be able to accept you as long as you meet our full requirements. For example, if you were born in Guatemala, hold Guatemalan citizenship, but moved to the U.S. at a very young age and speak English perfectly with an American accent, we will treat your will will view your application with the same merits as an American-born native speaker.

I have a TEFL certificate and a degree, but I've never taught English before. Am I eligible to apply?

If you are a Native Speaker and a qualified teacher, you are welcome to apply, and if we think you have what it takes to make a great Wizard, we can accept you into the program. However, if you have no teaching experience, the chances that we’ll be able to match you with potential jobs before you arrive is very slim, so you should be prepared for a more competitive job hunt upon arrival.

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?

Yes, assuming you meet the rest of our eligibility requirements. A Bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Poland, although it is a plus. Wizards without a Bachelor’s degree who possess a TEFL and prior teaching experience usually have no issue finding jobs in Poland.

I do not have a TEFL Certificate. Can apply and get certified later?

Absolutely. We work with a TEFL certification program to provide our Wizards with a discounted TEFL course which you can take as you hunt for jobs. If you are new to teaching, we highly recommend you instead apply for our Language Assistant program, which will guarantee you part time work and accommodation as you complete your TEFL.

COSTS & VISAS

Is this really free? Where are the hidden costs?

Yes it is free, you have read everything correctly. At English Wizards we never have and never will charge a program fee for our Teach in Poland program, nor any other program that we run. While our job assistance and other services are free of charge, you will be responsible for your own travel and living expenses, including the costs associated with the visa and work permit if you require one.

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?

English Wizards is a community of Native English Teachers that provide teaching services to schools, businesses, and other clients all over Poland. We also offer the schools that we work with a huge variety of other services in addition to top-quality teachers like yourself, such as outsourced payroll and tax compliance. Just like how the schools pay teachers for their teaching, schools pay us for our services.

Do I need a visa?

If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country, the answer is no. You can work freely in Poland without a visa. But if you are not an EU or EEA national, you must have a work visa to work in Poland. Our team is very experienced with this process and will help you obtain one.

How does the visa process work?

It’s a bit complicated, that’s why our legal team does the dirty work! But in a nutshell: There are two steps to obtaining a Polish work visa. First, the company you’ll be working for (us) applies for a work permit through the local labor office. Next, you take the work permit, your passport, and a few other documents to the nearest Polish consulate or embassy and receive a work visa. Alternatively, you can travel to Poland and submit the documents at a local Immigration Office and obtain a Residence Permit.

What documents are required for the visa?

The Polish government requires you to submit the following documents to receive a work visa:

• The completed Visa Application Form

• Your approved work permit (we’ll send this to you)

• Your passport and a copy of the main page

• Proof of medical insurance (if you already have insurance, this may suffice. Otherwise we can help you obtain Polish insurance)

• Proof of accommodation in Poland (we can help you arrange this)

• Your flight reservation to Poland (not applicable if applying within Poland)

• Fee payment

How much does it cost to obtain a visa?

The cost of obtaining a Polish work permit is 500PLN (about €115). This must be paid to us, as we will be taking care of the entire work permit process, including fee payments. If you are applying outside of Poland, you must also pay the consulate fee, which varies from country to country. For example, in the U.S. it is 72 USD and in New Zealand it is 102 NZD. If you are applying within Poland, you must instead pay the Residence Permit fee of 490PLN.

Am I eligible for a Polish work visa?

In a nutshell, yes. If you meet our eligibility requirements of our Teach in Poland program and you are accepted, yes you qualify for a Polish work visa. The only possible situation where there may be complications is if you have a criminal record or any mental or physical health issues. If this applies to you, please indicate so in your application.

I am from the UK. How will Brexit affect my eligibility to work in Poland without needing a visa?

As of now, you can still freely live and work in Poland without a visa, but unfortunately nobody can say for sure about the future. However, the Polish government has vowed to allow UK citizens to remain in Poland without any additional red tape in the event of a “no deal” Brexit. Essentially, you should be fine unless something goes horribly wrong. And even if it does, we’re ready to make sure you’ll find a way to stay here!

Will the visa be tied to my job? How can I legally do private tutoring or work part-time at multiple schools?

Polish work visas are always tied to the employer that arranged the work permit. Traditionally, non-EU English teachers are caught in a trap since it isn’t legal to work at more than one school. Being part of the English Wizards community means that you’ll have a work-around to this frustrating limitation, as your work permit will be with English Wizards, and not any particular school. You are free to teach English anywhere you’d like, and we provide outsourced payroll services to schools which allow them to pay you legally under your work visa.

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?

In an apartment of course! Your Community Manager can assist you in finding a good deal on an apartment before you arrive. If you’d prefer to split the rent, he or she can also help put you in touch with like-minded flatmates (most often fellow Wizards). The cost of rent in Poland ranges from less than €200 for a shared apartment on the outskirts of a city, to over a bit over €300 a month for a private apartment near the center. Most Wizards choose to live somewhere close to the center of the city in order to be right in the center of the action, but many choose to save on rent by living further out. Public transportation in Poland is excellent so no matter where you live, commuting won’t be an issue.

How will I get to work and get around?

Just like the locals, of course! Navigating Polish cities is very easy, as all have well developed and reliable public transportation systems, with buses, trams, and in the case of Warsaw, a metro. Cities offer transit passes for around €20-30 per month depending on the city. Your Program Director can show you how to obtain one of these. Some Wizards who choose to live near the city center are lucky enough to live within walking distance of their jobs.

Will it be hard to have a social life in Poland?

Not at all! You will quickly get to meet the other Wizards working in your city through our Facebook group and regular social events. All cities in Poland where we have Wizards working in are very cosmopolitan and have vibrant expat scenes. These communities of fellow foreigners are usually very friendly, with Facebook groups and regular meetups to welcome newcomers to the city. The Polish people are also very friendly and welcoming to foreigners, just make a few trips to a social bar or cafe and you’ll see for yourself! The level of English spoken by Poles is very high, so the language barrier is rarely a problem when meeting locals. In many cities, Community Managers also organize language exchanges, which are a perfect opportunity to mingle with locals, expats, and fellow Wizards.

How does pay work?

You will get paid by the hour, and will be paid monthly via bank transfer. The rate of pay will depend on whaat job you are able to land, and you are completely free to negotiate your own pay rate with your employer. English Wizards does not mediate such negotiations, however can offer you advice on what rate(s) can be expected from which schools.

What kind of support will I receive before departing to Europe?

As soon as we approve you into the English Wizards community, we will begin putting you forward to job opportunities with our partner schools, and many Wizards have the opportunity to interview over Skype with schools before arriving.

Your Community Manager will also be in touch with you as soon as your placement has been confirmed. He or she can offer you additional assistance with the job hunt in case you’d like to start applying for jobs on your own before you touch down. He or she can also help you arrange accommodation so you know you’ll have somewhere to stay as soon as you arrive.

What kind of support will I receive while I am in Poland?

From the moment you get off the plane, your Community Manager will never be more than a quick call or text message away. He or she will give you an introduction to the city and assist you in opening a bank account, getting a phone plan, using the public transit, and much much more. Most Community Managers also organize social events to give Wizards the opportunity to meet each other and socialize with locals. Remember we choose our Community Managers very carefully – they are fun loving people just like you, not boring office administrators.

If you have not yet found a job, or would like additional work, our team will happily assist you in finding work and navigating the teaching job market. You will have access to potential jobs through our network, and your Community Manager can assist you in “Polish-ing up” your CV and utilizing the best resources to hunt for teaching jobs.

In the rare event that you require assistance beyond the capabilities of your Community Manager, our main office is also never more than a quick phone call or email away.

What kind of hours will I be teaching?

The exact nature of the hours is between you and the school or business. Typically, teachers at public and private schools will work regular school hours, teachers at language centers will work weekday afternoons and evenings and occasional Saturday mornings, and business English teachers will work weekday mornings and early afternoons.

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?

What goes on at your workplace is between you and the school management, however if you begin teaching at a particular school, in almost every case you are contractually bound to finish the semester before quitting. We uphold this through our contracts as well, and will not simply allow you to take new work through English Wizards after “walking out.”

However, we do hold every school that we work with to a very high standard in how we expect them to treat and manage our teachers. If you feel as if you are being mistreated by the school’s management, please let us know immediately and we will attempt to resolve the issue. If the unlikely event that this fails, we can terminate our contract with the school and you are free to find work elsewhere.

How long can I stay for? Is it possible to extend my stay if my visa is expiring?

We have no limit to how long you can stay with us in Poland providing that your teaching work is continuously superb. A visa is by default valid for one year, and a residence permit is valid for 3 years. Extending the length of your legal stay simply requires applying for an updated visa or residence permit, which is usually far easier than applying for the first one.

How do taxes work?

In Poland, personal income taxes are paid by the employer and not the individual. That is, the school will pay income taxes and social security payments on your behalf as part of your “brutto” salary. The salary the school offers will almost always be the “netto” rate – that is, what you get in your hand. There are no further taxes on this income, and you can see and spend every last penny of your “netto” salary. You will never have to file taxes.

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?

You are welcome to apply for jobs and through our program anywhere in Poland. However, our network of schools where we may be able to offer you direct placements is currently limited to the cities we operate in: Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, and Katowice. We are also only able to provide the “on site” aspects of our community based support in these 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?

Our program does not have any specific start dates, and you are free to arrive (or leave) as you please. We only ask that you arrive at least 5 days before you plan to begin teaching, and do not leave in the middle of a teaching semester for obvious reasons.

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?

We are a teaching community, not a recruitment agency or a language school. As such, it is not possible for us to guarantee a job for any of our Wizards. Schools in Poland do their own hiring, so no matter what you will still have to interview and get hired by a school before you start teaching.

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?

While we try our best to match all approved Wizards with jobs before their arrival, this is not always possible as many schools in Poland will only hire face-to-face. On average, about half of our inbound Wizards are able to secure work through our network before arriving, and another chunk arrive with interviews or trial classes already setup. The overwhelming majority of the remaining Wizards are able to find work within their first month in Poland.

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?

Theoretically yes, but realistically, this is not something to rely on unless you are extremely qualified and/or willing to do a bit of your own job hunting in advance. While we do put forward Wizards to our partner schools before they arrive, for obvious reasons we do prioritize Wizards who are already here, and then Wizards who have already confirmed their arrival date. Furthermore, many schools are reluctant to consider applicants who are not already here or planning to be here by a certain date. If you are not capable of doing your own job hunting before and after arriving in Europe, this is not the program for you. Feel free to apply to our Language Assistant program if you’d feel more comfortable having a guaranteed job before embarking on your travels.

Will joining the English Wizards community make it easier to find a job?

Absolutely. Teaching jobs in Poland, like the rest of Europe, are rarely advertised overseas, and most schools will expect you to already be in the country before making the call to hire you. Our network of schools provides a “back door” to interview in advance to teaching jobs that would not otherwise be advertised or available to you.

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?

Being accepted as a Wizard means that you are part of our community. As a teaching community, we pride ourselves on being made up of 100% top quality English teachers. It also means that we will be sending you forward to our partner schools, arranging a work visa on your behalf, and providing you with an enormous amount of additional job searching support. Similar companies in Europe charge hundreds, or even thousands of dollars for services like ours. We provide these services free of charge to teachers we firmly believe will have no problem finding work as an English Wizard and representing the English Wizards community.

Can I apply alongside a friend or partner?

Absolutely! Just specify in your application that you would like to teach in the same city. If you would like to share accommodation, you can let your Community Manager know this once you have been accepted.

I am currently traveling/working/studying abroad! Can I become a Wizard and start working without having to go home first?

Absolutely! We love seeing applications from future Wizards who have already made the jump into life overseas. However, if you are not an EU citizen, you may not be able to get a visa before you arrive, as it is not always possible to obtain a Polish visa in a third country. Instead, you will have to come to Poland without a visa and apply for a Residence Permit at the Immigration Office.

What are my odds of being accepted if I am not a native English speaker?

This depends on how fluently and clearly you can speak English. If your level of English is anything below perfectly fluent or if you have a non-native accent, we unfortunately cannot accept you as a Wizard. Poland, like the rest of Europe, has a very high level of English proficiency. There is no shortage of local teachers who can speak C1 English and have advanced degrees and loads of teaching experience. For us to be able to consider you, you must offer something that no Polish teacher can offer: a native understanding of the English language. If you can speak English with a native proficiency and a neutral accent, and can prove it in your interview, we will gladly accept you. However, you must still be prepared for a more competitive job hunt if English is not your first language, and the chances that we will be able to guarantee you a job before your arrival will be slimmer.

English is my first language, but I come from a non-English speaking country. What are my chances of being accepted?

If English is still your first language and you speak with a clear, standard accent, we will usually still be able to accept you as long as you meet our full requirements. For example, if you were born in Guatemala, hold Guatemalan citizenship, but moved to the U.S. at a very young age and speak English perfectly with an American accent, we will treat your will will view your application with the same merits as an American-born native speaker.

I have a TEFL certificate and a degree, but I've never taught English before. Am I eligible to apply?

If you are a Native Speaker and a qualified teacher, you are welcome to apply, and if we think you have what it takes to make a great Wizard, we can accept you into the program. However, if you have no teaching experience, the chances that we’ll be able to match you with potential jobs before you arrive is very slim, so you should be prepared for a more competitive job hunt upon arrival.

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?

Yes, assuming you meet the rest of our eligibility requirements. A Bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Poland, although it is a plus. Wizards without a Bachelor’s degree who possess a TEFL and prior teaching experience usually have no issue finding jobs in Poland.

I do not have a TEFL Certificate. Can apply and get certified later?

Absolutely. We work with a TEFL certification program to provide our Wizards with a discounted TEFL course which you can take as you hunt for jobs. If you are new to teaching, we highly recommend you instead apply for our Language Assistant program, which will guarantee you part time work and accommodation as you complete your TEFL.

COSTS & VISAS

Is this really free? Where are the hidden costs?

Yes it is free, you have read everything correctly. At English Wizards we never have and never will charge a program fee for our Teach in Poland program, nor any other program that we run. While our job assistance and other services are free of charge, you will be responsible for your own travel and living expenses, including the costs associated with the visa and work permit if you require one.

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?

English Wizards is a community of Native English Teachers that provide teaching services to schools, businesses, and other clients all over Poland. We also offer the schools that we work with a huge variety of other services in addition to top-quality teachers like yourself, such as outsourced payroll and tax compliance. Just like how the schools pay teachers for their teaching, schools pay us for our services.

Do I need a visa?

If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country, the answer is no. You can work freely in Poland without a visa. But if you are not an EU or EEA national, you must have a work visa to work in Poland. Our team is very experienced with this process and will help you obtain one.

How does the visa process work?

It’s a bit complicated, that’s why our legal team does the dirty work! But in a nutshell: There are two steps to obtaining a Polish work visa. First, the company you’ll be working for (us) applies for a work permit through the local labor office. Next, you take the work permit, your passport, and a few other documents to the nearest Polish consulate or embassy and receive a work visa. Alternatively, you can travel to Poland and submit the documents at a local Immigration Office and obtain a Residence Permit.

What documents are required for the visa?

The Polish government requires you to submit the following documents to receive a work visa:

• The completed Visa Application Form

• Your approved work permit (we’ll send this to you)

• Your passport and a copy of the main page

• Proof of medical insurance (if you already have insurance, this may suffice. Otherwise we can help you obtain Polish insurance)

• Proof of accommodation in Poland (we can help you arrange this)

• Your flight reservation to Poland (not applicable if applying within Poland)

• Fee payment

How much does it cost to obtain a visa?

The cost of obtaining a Polish work permit is 500PLN (about €115). This must be paid to us, as we will be taking care of the entire work permit process, including fee payments. If you are applying outside of Poland, you must also pay the consulate fee, which varies from country to country. For example, in the U.S. it is 72 USD and in New Zealand it is 102 NZD. If you are applying within Poland, you must instead pay the Residence Permit fee of 490PLN.

Am I eligible for a Polish work visa?

In a nutshell, yes. If you meet our eligibility requirements of our Teach in Poland program and you are accepted, yes you qualify for a Polish work visa. The only possible situation where there may be complications is if you have a criminal record or any mental or physical health issues. If this applies to you, please indicate so in your application.

I am from the UK. How will Brexit affect my eligibility to work in Poland without needing a visa?

As of now, you can still freely live and work in Poland without a visa, but unfortunately nobody can say for sure about the future. However, the Polish government has vowed to allow UK citizens to remain in Poland without any additional red tape in the event of a “no deal” Brexit. Essentially, you should be fine unless something goes horribly wrong. And even if it does, we’re ready to make sure you’ll find a way to stay here!

Will the visa be tied to my job? How can I legally do private tutoring or work part-time at multiple schools?

Polish work visas are always tied to the employer that arranged the work permit. Traditionally, non-EU English teachers are caught in a trap since it isn’t legal to work at more than one school. Being part of the English Wizards community means that you’ll have a work-around to this frustrating limitation, as your work permit will be with English Wizards, and not any particular school. You are free to teach English anywhere you’d like, and we provide outsourced payroll services to schools which allow them to pay you legally under your work visa.

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?

In an apartment of course! Your Community Manager can assist you in finding a good deal on an apartment before you arrive. If you’d prefer to split the rent, he or she can also help put you in touch with like-minded flatmates (most often fellow Wizards). The cost of rent in Poland ranges from less than €200 for a shared apartment on the outskirts of a city, to over a bit over €300 a month for a private apartment near the center. Most Wizards choose to live somewhere close to the center of the city in order to be right in the center of the action, but many choose to save on rent by living further out. Public transportation in Poland is excellent so no matter where you live, commuting won’t be an issue.

How will I get to work and get around?

Just like the locals, of course! Navigating Polish cities is very easy, as all have well developed and reliable public transportation systems, with buses, trams, and in the case of Warsaw, a metro. Cities offer transit passes for around €20-30 per month depending on the city. Your Program Director can show you how to obtain one of these. Some Wizards who choose to live near the city center are lucky enough to live within walking distance of their jobs.

Will it be hard to have a social life in Poland?

Not at all! You will quickly get to meet the other Wizards working in your city through our Facebook group and regular social events. All cities in Poland where we have Wizards working in are very cosmopolitan and have vibrant expat scenes. These communities of fellow foreigners are usually very friendly, with Facebook groups and regular meetups to welcome newcomers to the city. The Polish people are also very friendly and welcoming to foreigners, just make a few trips to a social bar or cafe and you’ll see for yourself! The level of English spoken by Poles is very high, so the language barrier is rarely a problem when meeting locals. In many cities, Community Managers also organize language exchanges, which are a perfect opportunity to mingle with locals, expats, and fellow Wizards.

How does pay work?

You will get paid by the hour, and will be paid monthly via bank transfer. The rate of pay will depend on whaat job you are able to land, and you are completely free to negotiate your own pay rate with your employer. English Wizards does not mediate such negotiations, however can offer you advice on what rate(s) can be expected from which schools.

What kind of support will I receive before departing to Europe?

As soon as we approve you into the English Wizards community, we will begin putting you forward to job opportunities with our partner schools, and many Wizards have the opportunity to interview over Skype with schools before arriving.

Your Community Manager will also be in touch with you as soon as your placement has been confirmed. He or she can offer you additional assistance with the job hunt in case you’d like to start applying for jobs on your own before you touch down. He or she can also help you arrange accommodation so you know you’ll have somewhere to stay as soon as you arrive.

What kind of support will I receive while I am in Poland?

From the moment you get off the plane, your Community Manager will never be more than a quick call or text message away. He or she will give you an introduction to the city and assist you in opening a bank account, getting a phone plan, using the public transit, and much much more. Most Community Managers also organize social events to give Wizards the opportunity to meet each other and socialize with locals. Remember we choose our Community Managers very carefully – they are fun loving people just like you, not boring office administrators.

If you have not yet found a job, or would like additional work, our team will happily assist you in finding work and navigating the teaching job market. You will have access to potential jobs through our network, and your Community Manager can assist you in “Polish-ing up” your CV and utilizing the best resources to hunt for teaching jobs.

In the rare event that you require assistance beyond the capabilities of your Community Manager, our main office is also never more than a quick phone call or email away.

What kind of hours will I be teaching?

The exact nature of the hours is between you and the school or business. Typically, teachers at public and private schools will work regular school hours, teachers at language centers will work weekday afternoons and evenings and occasional Saturday mornings, and business English teachers will work weekday mornings and early afternoons.

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?

What goes on at your workplace is between you and the school management, however if you begin teaching at a particular school, in almost every case you are contractually bound to finish the semester before quitting. We uphold this through our contracts as well, and will not simply allow you to take new work through English Wizards after “walking out.”

However, we do hold every school that we work with to a very high standard in how we expect them to treat and manage our teachers. If you feel as if you are being mistreated by the school’s management, please let us know immediately and we will attempt to resolve the issue. If the unlikely event that this fails, we can terminate our contract with the school and you are free to find work elsewhere.

How long can I stay for? Is it possible to extend my stay if my visa is expiring?

We have no limit to how long you can stay with us in Poland providing that your teaching work is continuously superb. A visa is by default valid for one year, and a residence permit is valid for 3 years. Extending the length of your legal stay simply requires applying for an updated visa or residence permit, which is usually far easier than applying for the first one.

How do taxes work?

In Poland, personal income taxes are paid by the employer and not the individual. That is, the school will pay income taxes and social security payments on your behalf as part of your “brutto” salary. The salary the school offers will almost always be the “netto” rate – that is, what you get in your hand. There are no further taxes on this income, and you can see and spend every last penny of your “netto” salary. You will never have to file taxes.

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.