Teaching English In Russia, salary and what are the basic costs of living

[@littleredcelt]

This is my dream! Thank you.

[@HappyVisas]

Our pleasure!

[@rickm6076]

I see questions about people bringing their family, and you can totally do that! If you have a valid permit to work then you have a right to bring your minor children and/or spouse. Russia is big on forming families. Very different from much of the west. I met my wife there, and she was actually an Italian citizen with permanent residency in Russia at the time. Processed paperwork for marriage and got everything sorted on both ends so fast I can hardly believe it. It's a priority there

[@HappyVisas]

Well said - thanks

[@TheMICMusicInspirationChannel]

What about my two dogs?

[@HappyVisas]

Either country, veterinary certificates are required. I know of people taking animals to the UK via Italy and visa versa. No idea how they did it, but was quite easy. Quite often people moved to Europe, realised it was not their cup of tea, and moved back to Russia with their pets

[@bigian-j2m]

Hi Phillip, really informative video! I am a recent Master's graduate from the University of Exeter (currently moved back home to Wales for the holiday season). I recently completed the Cambridge CELTA teaching qualification with ambitions to teach in Russia. I'm a native English speaker but also fully fluent in Russian. I've been having a rather difficult time finding job listings online. Any advice or job sites you recommend looking out for would be a massive help. All the best -Anton

[@HappyVisas]

Hi Anton, repetit.ru or Profi.ru or Hh.ru Do a search of schools on Yandex.ru - Plenty of work for native speakers if you land in Moscow and just turn up at the schools and knock on doors but some schools are very bad payers and if they sort out the work permit for you, low salary for about 25 hours per week

[@bigian-j2m]

@@HappyVisas Thanks very much, Phillip. Was struggling to find these types of websites from the UK

[@HappyVisas]

Your welcome

[@lanalane9640]

Thanks for the great video, the information provided is very concise and helpful. I was wondering, is it possible to get a teaching position online for a company located in Moscow, however I would reside in a different city such as Kazan? Can I reside anywhere in Russia and work online for any company? Thank you for your time.

[@HappyVisas]

Yes, absolutely, any place in Russia or any other part of the world. Obviously hard to receive payments if not in Russia

[@lanalane9640]

@@HappyVisas Thank you for your answer, I appreciate it more than you will ever know. Cheers

[@Micronisus]

Hey I'm reaching out for some advice regarding a teaching position in Moscow that I've been offered, A school is offering me a work visa, accommodation and all the necessary procedures for me to travel and work there legally. I'm still on the fence about accepting it, and I value your opinion. The offer is for a monthly salary of 90,000-115,000 rubles (approximately £700-£1000), which seems low compared to what I make in London, UK. However, considering the lower cost of living in Moscow, it might balance out. My friend is urging me not to take it, citing concerns about the salary, teaching hours, and potential challenges. I'm 29 now and feeling a bit stuck in my accounting job here in London. On one hand, the idea of a new experience and challenge in Moscow is appealing, but on the other hand, I'm hesitant to leave the comfort of my parents' house and the stability I have here. The average salary in Moscow is reportedly 100,000-120,000 rubles, and I've spoken to some people currently working at the school who say it's a laid-back environment. They believe the news might be exaggerating things. One concern is that if things don't work out in Moscow, returning to my old job in London might be difficult given the current job market challenges. It's a tough decision, and I'm torn between the desire for a new experience and the need for stability. What are your thoughts on this? Have you heard anything specific about working conditions in Moscow, and do you think the potential benefits outweigh the risks? I appreciate your perspective on this matter. By the way, I have my TEFL certification, I have past experience working at Kumon and my parents' preschool for about seven years. Unfortunately, the preschool closed in 2021 due to the pandemic. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[@HappyVisas]

Moscow is the best city in the world and affordable. It is worth the risk.

[@HappyVisas]

Expect to earn as freelancer online 2500 rubles per hour and offline 3000 per hour. Because the school is doing the work permit, for that salary not more than 20 hours per week, it is very low. Only downside, winters are harsh and bleak in Russia, upside most Russians love expats and as a teacher you always get invited by students to events, parties, theatre etc

[@HappyVisas]

In brief try to negotiate a 20 hour week and move on when you get established if they don’t pay you more fairly. Do an extra 5 or 6 hours freelance to bring your salary up to living standards. The work Permit is a big, big plus and having a job arranged will help you get established as a freelancer super fast. So look at the low salary as an investment knowing that in less than a year most teachers earn about 750 pounds a week net.

[@zully-u9o]

hi mate how did u get the job initially? im from birmingham uk and looking to also make the move

[@Micronisus]

hi mate. I applied online

[@svetzy]

5k-6k RUB per hour is approaching $100k usd per year (assuming 40 hours per week). Is that really possible? Sounds awesome.

[@HappyVisas]

The average expat after about 6 months of navigating the waters gets easily 2500 per hour. Many would not work for less than 3000 an hour and schools normally farm you out for about 5000 an hour. Not that high considering you might make more in Germany, China or even teaching English in the UK. Most teachers work about 20- 25 hours per week but some hard core teachers work easily 40+ hours per week

[@zully-u9o]

i have quite complex medications in england, like 10+ prescriptions per month, i had a kidney transplant as a kid. would i just get 3 month prescriptions from england and come back to england to get a top up?

[@HappyVisas]

Sorry, no idea but logically speaking, after about a year of being out of the country, I doubt the NHS would foot the bill

[@zully-u9o]

@@HappyVisas why would u say that? i could come in and out no?

[@Boxanovo]

Im a native speaker from New Zealand. I speak Russian. Lived there for two years 5 years ago. I’m considering returning to teach English. What kind of salary could I expect in Moscow or either Saint Petersburg. Also, what’s the best method to link with a school to obtain work visa?

[@HappyVisas]

The good news, probably New Zealand will be on the unfriendly countries list, so Once you arrive in Russia you can apply for residency under the shared values visa. A teacher who is not good at marketing themselves can easily earn 20 USD an hour but a teacher who is good at networking normally earns online at least 25 USD and hour and offline about 40 USD plus. If you wanted to work full time for a school, easily 2000 USD a month but better work freelance, schools will work you like a dog

[@nickdemiri3529]

Great video. I think you covered the most important things that someone like me needs to know about teaching English there. My only real concern is if l decide to live there permanently l don't want to give up my Australian citizenship. From what l have read on the internet Russia does not allow dual residency. Also some other countries pay teachers more if they have a degree. Is this the case in Russia because l only have the TEFL Certificate

[@HappyVisas]

Russians allow dual nationality but in most instances you need to be married to a Russian citizen and father a child. Work Permits are easy to get if a school will sponsor your visa. They pay less because they have a lot of taxes to pay

[@nickdemiri3529]

Thanks for that information. Actually looking for arussian women. So it's a win win Situation for me Cheers Mate@@HappyVisas

[@nickdemiri3529]

What happens during school holidays. Do you get paid? Because in Thailand you do not. @@HappyVisas

[@HappyVisas]

If you have a proper job with employment contract which is the norm in Russia, you get approximately 19 days public holidays like victory day, woman’s day etc and 28 days paid leave but 4 days are on the weekend so in reality you only 24 days paid holiday

[@nickdemiri3529]

What about school holidays do you get paid during that period if not how do you survive?

[@artistrops3767]

Have you been outside of Moscow or privilaged circle of there?

[@HappyVisas]

I haven’t taught outside of Moscow but I have been to many places. Probably big demand for offline teachers because not many native speakers.

[@philsummers9931]

Good vid Ta!

[@HappyVisas]

Thanks 😊

[@Chuck-o1d]

Did you teach English before coming to Russia?

[@HappyVisas]

My day job is immigration adviser. Teaching business English puts me in contact with elite businessmen and women. It’s often not what you know but who you know

[@Chuck-o1d]

@@HappyVisas have you worked as teacher before or have a teaching degree?

[@Chuck-o1d]

@@HappyVisas just curious because I’m a native speaker but I don’t have any teaching degrees? Can someone like me get a job in Moscow in that field? Thanks!

[@HappyVisas]

Only taught in Russia, sorry for late reply

[@SC-mf1gc]

Thank you for the video. Can you tell me how difficult it would be to be allowed to bring my wife and 2 kids as dependents if I were to find an esl job? Ive been looking into Japan but many of those jpbs are unstable glorified daycare jobs with low pay, so 3 dependent visas seems unlikely. Do you recommend any job sites? Ive poke around a bit but Ive only seen jobs that pay ~1k CAD a month, granted it would go further but thered be no tucking away savings. Thank you for your time

[@HappyVisas]

In Russia, if you find a job, then you can bring your spouse and kids. Hh. Ru - repetit and profi are the best sites

[@tacettinsubas9291]

I'm from Istanbul, I'm 21 years old, I'm studying preschool teaching at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, I'm in my final year and I'm thinking of becoming a preschool teacher or applying for an internship in Petersburg after graduation.

[@HappyVisas]

Glad to hear it, Russia is a great country

[@tacettinsubas9291]

@@HappyVisas thanks teacher :)

[@HappyVisas]

Thanks

[@tsiontesfaye2157]

How can I best prepare to become an English teacher in Russia, if I never have done it before. I am fluent in both American English (just to clarify because I know some prefer British English)and Russian. But I have never taught before.

[@HappyVisas]

In Russia, if your a native speaker from the UK or America etc, it is quite easy to get established. Non natives would have to compete with the local teachers and the salary is a lot less although many Russian either pretend to be natives or say they lived many years overseas, for example in the UK 🇬🇧.

[@HappyVisas]

Watch my other video, how to teach

[@tsiontesfaye2157]

@@HappyVisasThank you

[@HappyVisas]

Your welcome

[@MarriedToTheKGB]

I would need to learn English first lol my grammar and vocabulary is crap even though I’m a native speaker

[@HappyVisas]

Mine too ))

[@trustgurure8108]

❤

[@mrmr6046]

Hello, I am a native speaker toying with going to Russia to look for work as a teacher. I am not qualified at the moment though and don't have a work visa. Will it be possible to make enough money to live on as an unqualified teacher, at least until I can find a school who are willing to give me a job and get me a visa.

[@HappyVisas]

70% of expats who teach have no teaching qualifications. Normally they fall on hard times and have teaching as a plan B. I suggest teach online through hh. Ru, profi or Repetit and then you can hit the ground running when you land and looking for a school to sponsor your work permit. Repetit being the best. I guess most freelance teachers earn about 20-25 pounds an hour, school pay less though. Watch my video about my style of teaching to help you get into it

[@zully-u9o]

@@HappyVisas sorry but confused so im from birmingham and looking to move to moscow and teach english, the best way is to teach english on repetit from the uk? and then go?

[@HappyVisas]

@ I would go now to Russia as it is now simple to move and live in Russia under the shared values visa. New visa for people from unfriendly countries like Europe, UK and USA. Then sign up to repetit. You will need a police record, subject access report

[@yareddejene462]

can you please share the link to the website? I couldn't find it. is it Repetit? or are you saying something else?

[@HappyVisas]

Repetit.ru

[@Olliric]

Do you know anything about teaching English in state schools?

[@HappyVisas]

Normally very low paid, normally expats do it as occasional volunteers just to help out the community. Occasionally I do English conversational clubs at my local University, great fun.

[@Olliric]

​@HappyVisas Oh right, thanks a lot for sharing!

[@kgomotsomakhubedu3189]

Do they take teachers from South Africa?

[@HappyVisas]

Yes, your from a what the government classify as a friendly country so should be easier to get the visa. On the scale of things, Russians like native British, then Americans, Australians but South Africans are a very close 4th on the pay scale.

[@userlewisajemre]

I am from Nigeria.Do I stand a chance?

[@saadzubair8262]

Sir, can I teach physics there? Well I am masters in physics and having 2 years experience in teaching physics. And sir please also mention, that if there is any scope of teaching physics, can Russian language is necessary to be spoken or only English language is enough and also please mention the salary of physics teacher in Russia. Thanks for your attention sir.

[@HappyVisas]

If you’re a native speaker of English, yes you could probably could teach in English. Teachers of Physics for non native English teachers would earn around 900 usd a month. If you’re not a native speaker (passport holder) of English but were fluent in English, more difficult but not impossible possible to find a job.

[@saadzubair8262]

@@HappyVisas I am not a native English speaker, I am from Pakistan, but speak and understand English fluently.

[@HappyVisas]

You have a chance, just google schools in Moscow and send them a link to a video where you tell them about yourself

[@saadzubair8262]

@@HappyVisas thank you Soo much❣️

[@HappyVisas]

@@saadzubair8262 welcome

[@phumefuze]

Hey, Im from South Africa currently teaching English in Saudi Arabia. Can you recommend websites to apply for jobs that side?

[@HappyVisas]

To work online, build up your client base before you arrive, most expat teachers work freelance and use hh .ru and repitit. Ru and profi .ru - you will pay them a fee for each introduction and the students pay you directly after each lesson. I recommend repitit but with current situation you might struggle to sign up without a Russian SIM card. You also need the app, it has a picture of an owl

[@phumefuze]

@@HappyVisas oright , what about offline work?

[@HappyVisas]

@@phumefuze they offer online and offline work. Internationally you might want to see if your qualifications are good for tie online (no experience of them though). They also charge upfront fees with no promises of work

[@phumefuze]

@@HappyVisas thank you

[@HappyVisas]

@@phumefuze your welcome, I hope it helps you find work in Russia

[@ealing26]

I have llm degree and do speak Russian. I want teach English in Russia. However, I am HIV positive. I don't think I will get a work permit :(

[@HappyVisas]

I have no idea on that other than I needed to supply a HIV test many years ago when I applied for my residence permit

[@rickm6076]

It's about the money. It's the same in Korea and Japan. The state does not want to have to pay for your medication's to manage this, now thankfully, very manageable condition. If you can arrange to receive medication's from abroad then you might have a case to make. That would absolve the local health system of the burden of the cost

[@HappyVisas]

Good info

[@MR-ib8kd]

Hi, I just wanna know if I have a degree in English literature, but I'm from an Arab country, could I find a job there? And would they ask for a TEFL? Or my English degree is enough?

[@HappyVisas]

That’s a hard question. Normally they pay quite high salary for native English teachers from UK, America and Australia etc. You would need to find an employee who would sponsor your work permit. Probably your degree would be acceptable to federal migration services. In Moscow, expect to earn about a 1000 USD a month, many teachers teach English here. If you were British, x the salary by 5

[@MR-ib8kd]

@@HappyVisas Got it, thanks a lot.

[@HappyVisas]

@@MR-ib8kd your welcome

[@mrniceguy8600]

You think I can getva visa as an american?

[@HappyVisas]

Tourist or business visa quite easily, work permit you need to visit and find a job, leave the country and apply with sponsor letter

[@StartToDo]

👍👍

[@HappyVisas]

Do you want a job teaching English 😊

[@vondagrubb4623]

If u are using Repetit are u paying taxes and can u come on a tourist visa?

[@HappyVisas]

You pay Repetit normally the value of 3 lessons for the introduction and the student pays you directly. It is up to you if you declare it or not but I pay 4% tax on all my income. On a tourist visa you can not be based online in Russia and work but I guess you could come to Russia, find students and then later be in another country and teach them. Many people do work illegally here though

[@FrankenJhingx]

I kinda wanna hear the story about you getting punched in the face.

[@HappyVisas]

Guy kept talking to my girlfriend, hitting on her in front of me and I was drunk so grabbed him and pushed him away. His friend was the one who actually punched me ((

[@FrankenJhingx]

@@HappyVisas Dang that's crazy, I mean it happens, you did the right thing though, you had to do that, even if it cost you a punch to the mouth, you have to stand up. Hopefully that never happens to me, I can be sort of a loudmouth when I drink so I think I will just stay home if I'm going to have some beverages, lol.