Overseas Teachers
Eligibility to Work in the UK
If you are a British or EEC passport holder, you will be able to work in the UK without restrictions. However, if you do not have one of these, the type of visa you are able to obtain will determine the types of assignment you can accept.
Over the past few years there have been a number of new regulations governing entry to and working in the UK. This is particularly the case for supply teachers, where there is currently a shortage in the UK. You will be eligible to work in the UK in one of the following ways:
A TeachLondon Consultant can tell you more about these and other types of UK working visas. See our Contact Us page for further details. However, we strongly suggest you contact the British High Commission for full details when arranging visas, as the regulations for working and living in the UK are being reviewed constantly.
Contact the British High Commission in your home country. (See details below)
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is required in England and Wales to become, and continue being, a
teacher in the state and special education sectors. Similar statuses exist in the rest of the United Kingdom
(Scotland and Northern Ireland), but under different names.
A candidate must have completed and passed a teacher training course, such as a Postgraduate Certificate in
Education (PGCE) or a teaching degree (BEd), and, in England only, pass the QTS Skills Tests in literacy,
numeracy, and ICT.
The General Teaching Council for England and General Teaching Council for Wales maintain all registrations, as
well as issuing QTS certificates (a task previously undertaken by the Department for Education and Skills).
QTS is technically only recognised in the country it was awarded (England or Wales), but teachers can normally
apply for QTS in the other country with relative ease. QTS is also recognised by many other countries once the
relevant paperwork has been completed.
Teachers trained outside England and Wales must also apply, within four years from point of entry, to be awarded
QTS if they wish to teach in England and Wales.
After having being awarded QTS teachers must normally still pass an induction period (previously called 'probation')
– normally their first year of teaching. Those who fail the induction still retain their QTS, but cannot teach in
state-run schools. The induction period normally lasts a year (three school terms).
If you are a Commonwealth citizen aged 17 to 31 years you may be permitted to enter the UK for a maximum of two years as a Working Holiday Maker. As a teacher holding this visa, you are entitled to work in your chosen profession on a supply basis, but not on a permanent basis.
You will be able to take up day-to-day or long-term work through TeachLondon, as the employment conditions are similar to that of supply work. When applying for this visa you will need to show proof of initial supporting funds, which is set at £2000, you will also need to satisfy other criteria.
A Working Holiday Maker Visa will normally be issued for two years. Teachers who would like to remain or extend in the UK can do so by securing a position with an employer willing to apply for a work permit for that teacher before the working holiday visa expires. You may be able to secure. Our London Career Managers are happy to talk to you about this option.
Under the UK Immigration Policy for Ancestry Visas, Commonwealth citizens who can verify their grandparent was born in the UK (including Southern Ireland prior to 31 March 1922) may apply for a visa that will allow them to stay in Britain for a period of four years. As a teacher under this type of visa you will be able to obtain day-to-day, long-term or permanent employment.
After four years the applicant is eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (residence), provided they continue to meet the requirements of the rules for United Kingdom Ancestry.
The Right of Abode means that you are entirely free from United Kingdom immigration control. You do not need the permission of an immigration officer to enter the United Kingdom and you may live and work without restriction. These are usually for people who have a parent born in the UK.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has now added teachers to their shortlist of skills and vocations in short supply. This means that if you are not eligible for any of the other entry permits outlined above, you may be able to apply for Work Permit Sponsorship. This has to be done on your behalf by an employer in the United Kingdom who wants to employ you.
TeachLondon can arrange work permits for teachers outside the UK. We have placed hundreds of teachers who have required sponsorship. If you fall into this category, please register in the normal way but inform your Career Manager that you require a Work Permit Sponsorship.
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (Back to Top)
The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is designed to allow highly skilled people to migrate to the United
Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities. It is different from the standard UK work permit scheme
because applicants do not need a specific job offer in the UK. It is a points-based immigration scheme, requiring
a minimum of 75 points to qualify. For further information please visit the Home Office site.
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