Teacher Visa Sponsorship UK: Eligibility, Process & Guidance

Recruiting teachers from overseas has become an important option for UK schools facing staff shortages. The Skilled Worker visa route allows schools, academies and independent institutions to employ qualified teachers from abroad, but only if they hold a valid sponsor licence.

For teachers looking to move to the UK, understanding how sponsorship works is just as important. From salary thresholds to English language requirements, there are several rules that schools must follow before they can employ international staff.

This guide explains everything you need to know about teacher visa sponsorship in the UK whether you are a school planning to hire from abroad or a teacher hoping to secure a sponsored job offer.

Table of Contents

Can UK Schools Sponsor Overseas Teachers?

Yes. Schools across the UK can sponsor qualified teachers under the Skilled Worker visa route. However, only licensed sponsors can do so. This means a school, academy trust or independent school must apply to the Home Office for a sponsor licence before recruiting from abroad.

Once granted, the licence allows the institution to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible teachers. With this certificate, the teacher can apply for their Skilled Worker visa through UKVI.

Multi-academy trusts (MATs)

A MAT can apply for a single licence that covers all schools within the trust. This saves money and administration but also creates higher risk. If one school breaches the rules, the entire trust’s licence can be suspended or revoked.

Independent schools

Independent schools must hold their own licence. They cannot rely on group-wide coverage. While many independent schools pay above the statutory rates, they still have to meet immigration salary thresholds.

Local education authorities (LEAs)

LEAs cannot sponsor teachers directly. Only the legal employer the school or MAT can hold a licence. LEAs may still play a support role in helping schools with workforce planning.

Eligible teaching roles

All qualified teaching roles (primary and secondary) fall within eligible Skilled Worker occupation codes. As long as the salary requirements are met and the job is genuine, sponsorship is possible.

Salary Requirements for Sponsored Teachers

Salary compliance is one of the biggest challenges in teacher sponsorship. Schools must meet two sets of rules:

• The Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds
• The national teachers’ pay scales (for state-funded schools and academies)

The higher of the two figures always applies.

Skilled Worker framework

• General threshold: £41,700 per year
• Education/health discount (Option K): £25,000 per year
• New entrant concession: £23,040 per year

In practice, however, these discounts rarely apply to teachers because the national pay scales are set higher.

National teacher pay scales (from 1 September 2025)

• Outside London: £32,916
• Fringe London: £34,295
• Outer London: £36,881
• Inner London: £38,706

Part-time and new entrants

Part-time teachers can be sponsored if their full-time equivalent salary meets the required minimum. New entrants under 26 technically qualify for a lower threshold, but in reality, they must still be paid at least the statutory teacher rate.

Example:

• A school outside London offers £32,000 to a newly qualified teacher. This falls below the £32,916 minimum, so the visa will be refused.

Ongoing compliance

Salaries must remain compliant throughout employment. Pay cuts, reduced hours or incorrect progression can all cause problems. If a teacher’s salary drops below the minimum, the Home Office may curtail their visa and take action against the sponsor.

English Language Requirement for Teachers

Teachers applying for a Skilled Worker visa must meet the B1 English level on the CEFR scale. This is roughly equivalent to IELTS 4.0–5.0.

Accepted evidence includes:

• Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) approved by the Home Office
• Holding a degree taught in English (may need Ecctis confirmation)
• Being a national of a recognised English-speaking country (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica)

Irish nationals do not require sponsorship under Common Travel Area rules.

Tip for schools: Do not issue a CoS until you have confirmed that the teacher meets the English requirement. This prevents wasted fees and compliance risk.

Example: A teacher from India with a degree in education taught in English may still need to provide Ecctis verification before the visa application is accepted.

Sponsor Licence Duties for Schools & MATs

Holding a sponsor licence is not just about assigning certificates. It comes with strict legal duties. The Home Office treats sponsors as extensions of the UK immigration system.

Key duties include:

• Record-keeping: Copies of passports, contracts, salary evidence, contact details
• Reporting: Non-starters, absences of more than 10 days, job changes, resignations, salary reductions  all within 10 working days
• Monitoring: Attendance and performance tracking
• Preventing illegal working: Right to work checks for all staff, not just sponsored teachers
• Renewals: Licence must be renewed before expiry

Penalties for non-compliance

• Licence suspension or revocation
• Fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker
• Visa curtailment for sponsored teachers
• Cooling-off period before reapplying for a new licence

How Overseas Teachers Can Find UK Schools Offering Sponsorship

Teachers abroad who want to move to the UK should start by confirming whether a school holds a sponsor licence.

1. Check the Register of Licensed Sponsors

The official government register lists all organisations with a valid sponsor licence. However, it does not show whether the school is actively recruiting.

2. Look on teaching job boards

• TES (Times Educational Supplement)
• Department for Education Teaching Vacancies
• Guardian Jobs
• Recruitment agencies such as Hourglass Education, Engage Education, Teach In

Use keywords like “visa sponsorship” or “Skilled Worker” in your search.

3. Networking and referrals

Join online groups for international teachers on LinkedIn or Facebook. Many teachers share which schools are supportive sponsors.

4. Government recruitment programmes

The Department for Education runs schemes to help schools recruit maths, physics, chemistry and computing teachers from overseas. These often involve sponsorship.

Tip for schools: Make it clear in job adverts if you are willing to sponsor. This helps attract international candidates.

Risks of Losing a Sponsor Licence

If the Home Office revokes a sponsor licence, the consequences are serious.

For schools/MATs:

• Immediate loss of ability to employ overseas teachers
• All current sponsored staff lose their right to work
• Recruitment strategies disrupted
• Reputational damage

For teachers:

• Visa curtailed, usually within 60 days
• Must find a new licensed sponsor, switch to another visa, or leave the UK
• Stress and uncertainty for families, housing, and dependants

Reapplying after revocation usually involves a 12-month cooling-off period. Even then, approval is not guaranteed.

Long-Term Benefits for Teachers Under Sponsorship

While the system is strict, sponsorship provides valuable opportunities for teachers.

• After 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa, teachers may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
• ILR holders can later apply for British citizenship.
• Sponsored teachers and their families can access the NHS.
• To gain citizenship, applicants will need to pass the Life in the UK test.

For schools, investing in international recruitment can help stabilise staffing and bring diversity into the classroom.

How Deluxe Law Chambers Can Help

Teacher visa sponsorship is complex, with serious risks for schools that fail to comply. At Deluxe Law Chambers, we provide tailored legal advice for:

• Schools and MATs applying for or renewing a sponsor licence
• Independent schools needing compliance support
• Overseas teachers applying for the Skilled Worker visa
• Appeals if a sponsor licence has been suspended or revoked

We also support family visa matters, such as the Spouse Visa Extension After 2.5 Years, which often overlaps with teacher visa applications.

Call 0161 464 4140 or book an appointment online: https://deluxelawchambers.co.uk/book-an-appointment/

Why Choose Deluxe Law Chambers For Your teacher visa sponsorship?

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Teacher Visa Sponsorship UK FAQs