How Teachers Get Sponsored to Work in the UK
Teaching is one of the most accessible routes to UK visa sponsorship. Here's exactly what you need to know â salary thresholds, QTS, which schools can sponsor you, and how to find them.
ÂŖ32,916
Min salary outside London
4 years
You can teach without QTS
B2
English level required (from Jan 2026)
125K+
Verified UK sponsors on VisaPath
What's in this guide
Why teaching is one of the best visa sponsorship routes
The UK has a well-documented teacher shortage, particularly in secondary schools and STEM subjects. This means many schools are actively looking to recruit internationally â and the UK government has structured the visa rules to make this easier than most other Skilled Worker routes.
Unlike most Skilled Worker roles which require a minimum salary of ÂŖ41,700, teachers benefit from a lower threshold under what the Home Office calls Option K â the health and education route. This means the salary bar is based on the national teachers' pay scale, not the standard Skilled Worker minimum.
Physics, mathematics, chemistry, computing, and modern foreign languages are in particularly high demand. If you teach any of these subjects, your chances of finding sponsorship are significantly higher.
Salary thresholds for teachers in 2026
Teachers are exempt from the standard ÂŖ41,700 Skilled Worker threshold. Instead your salary must meet the national teachers' pay scale â whichever is higher applies.
| Location | Minimum Salary (from Sep 2025) |
|---|---|
| Outside London | ÂŖ32,916 |
| London Fringe | Higher â check national pay scale |
| Outer London | Higher â check national pay scale |
| Inner London | Higher â check national pay scale |
Important note
These rates apply from 1 September 2025. They are legally binding for state-funded schools and academies. Independent schools must still meet the Skilled Worker salary threshold but are not bound by the national pay scale.
QTS â what it is and how international teachers get it
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the professional qualification required to teach in state-maintained schools in England. The good news is that as an international teacher you have several routes to get it â and you can even start working before you have it.
Direct QTS application â fastest route
If you are already a qualified teacher in your home country, you may be able to apply directly for QTS through the UK government's online service. You need a recognised teaching qualification at level 6 or above, at least 9 months of post-qualification teaching experience, and full teacher registration in your home country. 90% of applications are assessed within 12 months â faster if you have UK work experience.
Apply for QTS â gov.ukiQTS â train from your home country
International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) lets you train to teach in the country where you currently live â no need to visit England. It is delivered by English teacher training providers with partner schools worldwide. When you complete iQTS you automatically receive QTS. Minimum 24 weeks of practical school experience required.
Assessment Only QTS â for experienced teachers
If you have at least 2 years of full-time equivalent teaching experience, you may be able to gain QTS through assessment only â without additional training. A school employs you, assesses your practice against the Teachers' Standards, and awards QTS. Programme length is typically 12 weeks.
You can teach for up to 4 years without QTS
As a non-UK citizen you are allowed to teach in England for up to 4 years without holding QTS. Many schools sponsor international teachers during this period while they work towards qualification. Having QTS improves your chances significantly but is not a day-one requirement.
English language requirement
From 8 January 2026 all Skilled Worker visa applicants must demonstrate English at CEFR B2 level â equivalent to British Council B2 or IELTS 5.5 in each component. This is higher than the previous B1 requirement. Make sure your English qualification meets this standard before applying.
Which school types can sponsor you
Not all schools in England can sponsor Skilled Worker visas. The school must hold a licence on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. Here is how each type of school breaks down:
State-maintained schools
Funded and run by local authorities. Many are on the sponsor register. Must pay national pay scale rates.
Academies and free schools
State-funded but independently run. Many are on the sponsor register. Pay scale is at their discretion but must meet visa salary thresholds.
Independent schools
Many independent schools are licensed sponsors. They are not bound by national pay scale but must still meet Skilled Worker salary thresholds. Search the register to check individual schools.
Further education colleges
FE colleges teaching post-16 students. QTS is not required to teach in FE. Many colleges are licensed sponsors.
Schools without a sponsor licence
A school may want to hire you but not hold a sponsor licence. They would need to apply for one first â this is possible but adds time to the process.
Step by step â how the sponsorship process works
Check which schools can sponsor
Use VisaPath to search for schools in your preferred city or region that are on the Home Office sponsor register. Filter by Education sector.
Apply for teaching roles with visa sponsorship
Use the Teaching Vacancies service (teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk) and filter by "Visa sponsorship" to find schools actively advertising sponsored roles. Also check TES and Eteach.
Receive a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship
Once a school offers you the role, they assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is a reference number â not a physical document â that you use in your visa application.
Apply for your Skilled Worker visa
Submit your visa application online using the CoS reference number. You will need your passport, English language evidence (B2 level from January 2026), proof of qualifications, and financial evidence. Processing typically takes 3 weeks from inside the UK or 8 weeks from abroad.
Work towards QTS if you don't have it yet
Once in the UK you can apply for QTS through the direct application route or assessment only. Having QTS unlocks progression on the national pay scale and improves job security.
Find schools that can sponsor you
Use VisaPath to search the full Home Office register filtered to the Education sector. Check whether a specific school can sponsor before you apply â saving you from wasting applications on schools that can't.
Search Education Sponsors
Browse all schools and colleges on the Home Office register
Browse Teaching Jobs
Live teaching vacancies with visa sponsorship via NHS Jobs and Adzuna
Tip: Use the Teaching Vacancies service at teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk and filter by "Visa sponsorship" to find schools that are actively hiring internationally right now. Cross-reference with VisaPath to confirm the school holds a valid sponsor licence.
Check the salary threshold for your teaching role
Use our salary checker to confirm what you need to earn to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa as a teacher.
Open Salary Checker âLegal disclaimer: The information on this page is based on publicly available Home Office immigration rules and is provided for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently â always verify current requirements at gov.uk or consult a qualified immigration solicitor before making any visa-related decisions. VisaPath Solutions Ltd is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.