The United Kingdom has a high demand for qualified teachers in many subjects, particularly in shortage areas like math, sciences, special education, and English as an Additional Language (EAL). For international teachers, there are opportunities to secure teaching jobs in UK schools and colleges that provide visa sponsorship. This allows you to live and work legally in the UK when you obtain employment.
Overview of Visa Sponsorship for Teachers
The main visa route for sponsored teachers is the Skilled Worker visa. To be eligible, you must have a job offer from an approved UK employer who will sponsor your visa. They act as your visa sponsor.
The job offer must meet certain skills and salary criteria – you must be suitably qualified for the teaching role which must pay a minimum salary threshold. Jobs in state-funded schools generally meet the skills and salary requirements. The employer usually handles the visa sponsorship process including covering legal fees and providing supporting documents.
When approved, the Skilled Worker visa is usually granted for up to 5 years. After that, you may be able to apply for permanent settlement if you meet the eligibility criteria. Most teacher sponsors are on the Home Office’s registered list of approved companies licensed to hire from outside the UK. This streamlines the application process.
Finding Teaching Vacancies with Visa Sponsorship
There are several ways to find suitable teaching vacancies that provide visa sponsorship:
Teach in Britain Job Board
This official website managed by the Department for Education lists teaching roles eligible for visa sponsorship. You can search by job location, salary bracket and subject. Listings include teaching positions at state, private and special needs schools across England and Scotland.
School Websites
Many UK schools and colleges advertise vacancies on their official websites. Check their recruitment or careers page for suitable teaching roles and visa sponsorship details. You can search sites of specific schools or bigger chains and academies. Signing up for job alerts can notify you of future openings.
Recruitment Agencies
Specialist UK education recruitment agencies can match qualified teachers to sponsored jobs in schools seeking overseas hires. Some agencies have agreements with certain schools to fill shortages by recruiting internationally. They can advise if the school sponsors visas for teachers from abroad.
Online Job Boards
Mainstream UK job websites like Indeed, Reed, Guardian Jobs and TES connect teaching job seekers with state and private schools offering work visas. Search for roles using keywords like “visa sponsorship” or “tier 2 visa”. Check the full job ad for sponsorship details.
Professional Associations
Teacher training bodies like the National College for Teaching and Leadership have online job boards. Qualified teacher status is required for state school jobs. Relevant professional bodies like the Chartered College of Teaching also list openings.
Social Media Groups
Facebook groups like “Teaching jobs in the UK” have international members who share visa-sponsoring school vacancies. LinkedIn and school community forums are other places where sponsored jobs are informally listed.
Key Requirements for International Teachers
To secure a sponsored teaching job in the UK, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree or Master’s in education, plus any mandatory teaching licenses or qualified teacher status required for the role.
- Proven English language proficiency through an approved test like IELTS or TOEFL.
- Previous teaching experience especially in UK curriculums and your subject specialization.
- For secondary schools, expertise in shortage subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, languages, technology etc.
- Knowledge of UK national curriculum standards and qualifications like GCSEs and A-Levels.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate and engage students.
- The flexibility to teach classes of all abilities including children with special needs.
- A passion for teaching with the commitment to continue professional development.
- The willingness to participate in extracurricular activities and school community events.
The Visa Sponsorship Process
Once you secure a eligible teaching job offer, the school will guide you through their visa sponsorship process:
- Certificate of Sponsorship: The school first assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship reference number to support your visa application. This confirms they are an approved sponsor.
- Visa Application: You submit the online Skilled Worker visa application and supporting documents like qualifications, English test results, previous visas, passport and the job offer letter from your sponsor.
- Decision: If approved, you’ll receive a entry clearance vignette in your passport granting permission to work. You must enter the UK within 90 days to activate the visa.
- Biometrics Appointment: After arriving in the UK, you complete ID checks and provide fingerprints at a visa center to get your biometric residence permit (BRP). This secures your immigration status to legally live and work in the country.
- Visa Extensions: Approaching visa expiry, your sponsor can apply for extensions if you continue working for them. After 5 years, you may apply for permanent settlement status.
Finding Accommodation and Relocating
Your visa sponsor and new employer will provide guidance about finding suitable housing near your workplace. Many schools can connect new overseas teachers to affordable rental options or suggest trustworthy property agents for arrangingtemporary accommodation.
Joining relocation and new teacher support groups on social media can also help you get oriented and settle into everyday life in your new UK community. Connecting with fellow international staff members provides mentorship.
UK teaching jobs open up professional opportunities plus the chance to immerse yourself in British culture. With visa sponsorship, teachers from abroad can relocate and work in stimulating school environments that appreciate their skills, passion and global perspectives.
