The UK has changed their visa categories to offer more teachers the opportunity to live and work there
The landscape has changed for international teachers, wishing to embark on a UK teaching experience. The news is overwhelmingly positive, with visa extensions, higher age limits on current visas, paid incentives for high demand teachers, and additional visa categories. While there is a high need for teachers here at home, it is still a right of passage or career goal to have a UK teaching experience, so if this is something you are considering in the near or distant future, here is some important information about the additional pathways for educators.
Here is a summary of the UK’s new or updated pathways available to gain UK working rights.
There has always been a pathway for new graduate Australian, Canadian and New Zealanders to enjoy a one off, 2 year Youth Mobility Scheme visa. The age limit will increase from January 31st, 2024 from 30 to 35 years, allowing more experience teachers and career changers the chance to live and teach in British schools. The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa now allows holder to extend their visa by an additional 12 months.
A High Potential Individual visa gives any international worker permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years. If the person holds a PHD this increases to a 3 year visa. To apply, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years. This includes several universities in Australia and Canada.
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.Sponsorship has always been an option for teachers in shortage professions ( including Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics teachers) but recent changes have lifted monthly allocation limits for these visa types and as a result have allowed all schools holding a sponsorship license to successfully apply and employ an international teacher. NB: sponsorship is more likely to be offered to experienced Maths and Science teachers who have been teaching in British schools or have been teaching for some time in local schools in Australia, New Zealand or Canada, where the curriculum is similar.
International Relocation Payments
During the 2023-2024 academic year the British government is piloting, ‘The international relocation payment.’ It is a single payment of £10,000 which will be available to eligible non-UK trainees and teachers of languages and physics who relocate for a minimum 1 year contract in a British school. The payment will cover relocating, including visa costs, flight and set-up costs. It will be paid around the end of the teacher’s or trainee’s first term and if successful in attracting these teachers, will continue after 2024.
There are additional visa pathways to the UK, including the Ancestry and Spousal Visa options for eligible applicants, and a student study visa.
The UK is responding to their need to entice passionate and skilled international workers to take up employment across the UK. At Teach in, we are teacher consultants that advocate for international teachers and help them secure top quality positions in state, faith and independent schools across the UK. If you are interested in talking through your UK work options, we are happy to help, and our service is free for teachers.
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