Introduction
Teaching English in Singapore is often seen as a lucrative and cosmopolitan opportunity. Promises of S$50/hour, fast-track Permanent Residence (PR), and no university degree requirements make it seem almost too good to be true. In this updated 2025 guide, we unpick the reality behind the hype: what’s possible, what’s legal, and how you can maximize your chances. You’ll get real reviews, comparison tables, insights into PR pathways, and key takeaways for aspiring foreign English teachers.
Teach English in Singapore No Degree Needed
Can you really work without a degree? The short answer: not legally—if you’re seeking an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires a recognised bachelor’s degree for EP holders earning at least S$5,000/month, or an S Pass at S$3,150/month (2025 thresholds).
However, there are niche pathways:
- Dependent Pass + Letter of Consent (LOC): If your spouse already has an EP, some part‑time or enrichment teaching roles may be possible with an LOC (~3–4 months visa timeline).
- Entrepreneur/self‑sponsored routes (e.g. tutoring business under EntrePass or ONE Pass): Highly involved, costly and risky, but degree not strictly required if you’re seen as an expert or high‑earner.
Bottom line: Without a degree, legitimate teaching requires special circumstances—either via your spouse’s visa or building a tuition business. Legit TEFL roles almost always require a bachelor’s.
S$50/Hour Reality Check
S$50/hour = ~S$4,000/month for full‑time teaching (assuming ~80 billable hours/month). That’s roughly S$48,000/year, before tax.
While “S$50/hour” headlines well, actual salaries and pay structures vary widely:
- Language centres might pay between S$30–45/hour for part-time tutors, especially if you’re uncertified or local hire (Glassdoor, teflaustralia.com).
- Online tutoring platforms (e.g., AmazingTalker) show top teachers earning S$7,600/month (about S$85K/year), but only after building reviews and teaching part-time remotely (AmazingTalker).
Reviews from centres like “My English School” on Glassdoor show starting Singaporean pay at S$3,200–3,500/month (~S$18–21/hour), with foreigners often paid 30–60% higher—but still below S$50/hour rate on average unless bonuses apply (Glassdoor, Glassdoor).
To earn S$50/hour consistently, you’d need:
- Tutoring privately or online (remote clients, flexible rates)
- Working with high‑end clients or speciality exam prep
- Having solid reviews or certification
Visa & PR Route Fast‑Track (2025 Update)
Employment Pass (EP) – Solid, but slow PR path
- Requires bachelor’s degree, salary ≥ S$5,000/month (2025 baseline) .
- EP holders are eligible for PR via MOM’s Permanent Residence Sub‑committee, though approval typically takes 6–12 months or more depending on quota.
S Pass – Less common for teachers
- Requires salary ≥ S$3,150/month, meets quota limitations, and schools must justify quota use. Rare for ESL teaching roles.
Dependant pass + LOC – the faster loophole
- If your spouse holds an EP, apply LOC to teach part‑time or freelance. LOCs can be processed in weeks, not months. Official teaching jobs may refuse LOC holders, so being open to enrichment or tutoring is key.
EntrePass / ONE Pass route
- Requires a registered business or expert salary; long paperwork, and not ideal for beginners.
Realistic PR timeline (for foreign teachers):
| Visa Pathway | Degree Required? | Salary Threshold | PR Eligibility | Estimated PR Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | ✅ Yes | S$5,000+/month | ✅ Yes | ~6–12 months or more |
| S Pass | ✅ Yes | S$3,150+, quotas apply | ✅ Yes | ~6–12 months if employer supports |
| Dependant Pass + LOC | ❌ No (via spouse) | Varies | ⚠️ Yes (dependent visa) | ~weeks for LOC, PR via spouse route |
| EntrePass / ONE Pass | ❌ No | High income/business plan | Possible, niche cases | Highly variable |
Cost of Living vs. Salary – Can You Save?
Here’s where the shine fades: Singapore has become one of the world’s most expensive cities for expatriates. Multiple teacher community posts highlight skyrocketing rent and rising daily expenses (Reddit, teflaustralia.com, Reddit).
Real teacher experiences:
- Rents up 30‑80% in recent years; housing allowances from schools lag behind (Reddit).
- Single teachers may manage with ~S$2,500‑3,500/month of housing stipend, but can still pay ~S$1,000 from their own salary if allowances haven’t kept pace (Reddit).
- Couples and dependents make saving difficult. One teacher reported S$5,500/month rent on a previous S$2,500 rent basis within a few years, wiping out saving potential (Reddit).
Savings potential:
- At top international schools (SAS, UWCSEA, Tanglin), packages can reach S$140,000/year plus benefits, and might still allow decent saving for singles or couples without dependents (Reddit).
- At second-tier language centres, S$50K/year gross may not cover high rent + essentials.
Summary: If your goal is to make and save a lot — only a top package at a reputable international school will likely let you do that in Singapore.
Key Comparisons—Institutions & Paths
| Scenario | Visa Pathway | Rate/Salaries | Housing Support | PR Path Viability | Savings Potential (single) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language centre (no degree) | LOC (via spouse) / Tue‑Wed only | S$30–45/hour | Minimal or none | Low–moderate via dependant | Low |
| Online tutoring platforms | Remote, LOC or none | Up to S$50+/hour, ~$7,600/month | N/A (work from home) | PR via spouse or EP route | Medium to high |
| International school | EP or S Pass | S$6,000–15,000/month + benefits | S$3,500–5,000/month allowance | Strong (leading to PR) | Moderate to high |
| EntrePass tutoring business | EntrePass / ONE Pass | Variable, high rates possible | N/A | Possible via entrepreneur route | High (if successful) |
Walk‑through Real-Life Teacher Stories
Glassdoor Insights – My English School
- Foreign teachers earn noticeably higher than locals, but still below S$50/hour. Glassdoor reviews show starting pay ~S$3,200–3,500/month for locals, with foreigners getting higher base pay plus incentives if you bring more students .
Reddit voices – raw and real
“Rent has gone up 50 % or more… seriously considering a move elsewhere because the cost of living has gotten out of control.”
“You could save 2–3k USD per month” if you’re in a generous package and live frugal—but those cases are rare outside top schools .
“My rent rose from S$2,500 to S$5,500 PM in just a few years. Savings potential disappeared.”.
Reddit on PR & spouse scenarios
- Couples who both teach at decent schools often manage well; dual incomes help offset rent, and PR becomes realistic within 2–3 years if both hold EPs or S Passes .
Fast PR Tips & Strategies for 2025
- Aim for Employment Pass (EP) – it’s the surest ticket to PR eligibility. Boost your chances with a strong CV, reputable TEFL certification, teaching experience, and international references.
- Look for jobs at top-tier international schools (SAS, UWCSEA, Tanglin) — even if they pay more modestly at entry-level, their PR support and benefits are significantly stronger .
- Use Dependant Pass + LOC as a stepping stone — very useful if you’re accompanying a spouse: start part-time tutoring, build up your profile and earnings, then transition to full EP later.
- Consider online tutoring from outside Singapore—saving with minimal overhead, high hourly rates, and full flexibility.
- Minimize lifestyle costs—live frugal: eat hawker centre meals, use public transport, share housing. Many expats save better by sticking to basics (teflaustralia.com).
Implications & Broader Insights
- Myth of “S$50/hour, no degree”: unless you’re tutoring privately or online, this rate is rare in legal mainstream TEFL roles. Jobs that pay that amount usually require degree + legitimate visa holder status.
- Visa delicate & employer-driven: employers must justify foreign hires. Small centres hiring under S Pass or LOC risk quota issues.
- PR route is long but real: EP holders have a clear, if slow, path—but student‑visa style quick PR? That’s not realistic unless you follow entrepreneur streams or familial ties.
- Cost of living is the Achilles heel: even generous wages struggle to offset rising rent; role‑and‑package choice matters far more than headline hourly rate.
Conclusion
Teaching English in Singapore can be richly rewarding—but the S$50/hour, no degree, fast PR narrative doesn’t hold up universally in 2025. If you want to do it legally and sustainably, here’s your plan:
- Get a degree or rely on spouse who has an EP for LOC
- Aim for EP‑eligible schools (especially top international schools)
- Use online/private tutoring as a side or early entry
- Be frugal, ask about housing allowances, and compare institutional packages carefully
- Think long-term: securing EP first, following PR eligibility, then building savings
Ultimately, Singapore can be a great place to live and teach—but only if you navigate the visa and cost realities intelligently, without falling for marketing claims. Approach with clarity—and you could land a stable, rewarding career—and possibly PR—by 2026 or 2027.
Ready to apply or explore next steps?
Let me know if you’d like help crafting a standout application, compiling institutions hiring with EP support, or building an online tutoring profile to start earning remotely.
