If you’re thinking about teaching in the UK in 2026, there are a few important things to understand about UK visas, qualifications, and the visa application process. Some overseas teachers assume they can just apply for any job and sort out paperwork later.

Unfortunately, that’s not how it works in the UK. You won’t be allowed to teach without the right visa and proper qualifications. And even worse, you might waste months preparing only to find out you’re missing a required document or credential.

That’s why this guide will cover the visa types, qualification recognition, training requirements, and the documents you’ll need to make your move smooth. Let’s make a clear plan to avoid common pitfalls and delays.

What Visa Do You Need to Teach in the UK?

You’ll need a Skilled Worker visa for permanent teaching roles, a Student visa for teacher training, or a Temporary Worker visa for short-term positions. The visa you pick depends on your immigration status and whether you already have teaching qualifications.

You need to understand this part well because getting this wrong can set you back to the beginning. Let’s break down each option and when to use it.

Skilled Worker Visa for Teachers

This is the main route for qualified teachers moving to the UK. It lets you stay for up to five years and work full-time at a licensed school. The catch is, you can’t apply for it on your own. Your employer has to support you with a sponsor licence, and not all schools have one. So always confirm this before signing a contract.

The visa costs £719 if you’re applying from outside the UK, plus a yearly health surcharge of £1,035 as part of your application. Processing usually takes around three weeks, but it can take longer during peak times.

Student Visa if You’re Training to Teach

If you don’t yet hold UK teaching qualifications, this student visa covers your initial teacher training program, such as a PGCE. You’ll need an unconditional offer from an approved training provider or higher education provider. It allows part-time work, up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time in the holidays.

The visa fee is £490 for the student visa application, and you’ll need to provide evidence of at least £1,334 as financial evidence for living costs.

Temporary Worker Visa for Short Teaching Roles

This option is for teaching jobs that last six months or less, such as covering maternity leave. Your school still needs to support you with a sponsor licence, but the process is simpler than the Skilled Worker route.

The visa fee is £298, and processing takes roughly three weeks. The downside is that you can’t extend or switch this visa from within the UK. So if you decide to stay in the UK longer, you’ll need to leave and reapply..

Here’s a clear, reader-friendly comparison table for the three visa types:

Category	Skilled Worker visa	Student visa	Temporary Worker visa
Who it’s for	Qualified teachers moving to the UK for long-term or permanent roles	Those coming to the UK to train as teachers (e.g., PGCE, QTS route)	Teachers taking short-term or seasonal posts
Sponsorship needed	Yes	No	Yes
Length of stay	Up to 5 years	Duration of the training course	Up to 6 months
Cost	£719 (outside UK) + £1,035/year immigration health surcharge	£490 + proof of £1,334/month for living expenses	£298
Work rights	Full-time teaching	Up to 20 hours/week in term, full-time during holidays	Full-time during the contract
Can you extend or switch?	Yes	Can switch to Skilled Worker after completing training	No
Processing time	Around 3 weeks	Around 3 weeks	Around 3 weeks

Overseas Teaching Qualification in the UK

Most UK schools require Qualified Teacher Status for most roles, but getting QTS with foreign credentials is possible. Many overseas teachers panic when they hear about QTS because they assume their years of experience don’t count. But that’s not true.

We’ve put together all you need to understand about QTS and your options in this section:

• Qualified Teacher Status Requirements: QTS lets you teach in state schools across England. For this, you’ll need a degree, passes in English and maths, and complete teacher training. If you trained abroad, the Teaching Regulation Agency can assess your credentials. The review takes about 16 weeks, so apply early.
• How to Get QTS with Foreign Credentials: Teachers from countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can apply through the Assessment Only route without extra training. You’ll submit a portfolio showing that your teaching meets UK standards. Training costs around £350, and if your credentials fall short, you may need a short top-up course.
• Teaching in Further Education without QTS: FE colleges don’t require QTS, making them a good starting point for overseas teachers. So you’ll need solid subject knowledge and some experience. Many teachers use FE roles to gain UK experience and income while working toward QTS.

The UK has clear pathways for foreign-qualified teachers to gain recognition. You just need to know which one fits your background. Be mindful of this because if you skip this step or misunderstand the rules, you could end up with a job offer you can’t legally accept.

How Do You Qualify for Initial Teacher Training in the UK?

To start initial teacher training in the UK, you’ll need a degree, English language evidence, and, in some cases, security clearance. If you’re planning to train rather than transfer existing qualifications, these are non-negotiable.

Some overseas applicants assume any degree will work or that fluency in English is enough. Unfortunately, that’s not how UK universities see it. Missing even one document can prevent a successful application. Here’s what you’ll need to qualify:

Degree Requirements

You must have a bachelor’s degree or higher education qualification. It doesn’t have to be in education, but it should relate to the subject you want to teach. For example, a maths teacher could hold a degree in engineering or computer science.

If your degree is from outside the UK, you’ll need a Statement of Comparability from UK ENIC to prove it meets degree-level standards. It costs about £210 and takes roughly two weeks. Always check if your university is listed on the UK ENIC database before applying.

English Language Evidence

Applicants from English-speaking countries like the US, Canada, Australia, or Ireland don’t need to take a test. Everyone else must show proof of English proficiency, usually through IELTS Academic (minimum 6.5 overall, 6.0 per section).

Some training providers also accept PTE Academic from English language courses or Cambridge English tests. The results arrive within two weeks, but booking early helps since test slots fill quickly.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

If you’re from certain countries and applying to study subjects like engineering, science, or maths, you’ll need Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance, a UK government security check. Countries on the list include China, Russia, Iran, and about 60 others.

The application is free but takes at least 20 working days, sometimes longer. Apply as soon as you receive your course offer from your course provider, or your start date could be delayed.

What Documents Do You Need for a Teaching Visa Application?

Your teaching visa application needs a Certificate of Sponsorship, financial proof, biometric data, and health documentation. The UK visa process is strict, and missing even one document means your application gets rejected.

So take a look at what you need to gather before applying.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

This document is a must, and only your UK employer can issue it. The CoS is a digital number that confirms your job details, salary, and start date. It proves your school is licensed to hire international staff.

Your employer pays £239 for it, and it’s valid for three months. So make sure your school is a licensed sponsor before you accept an offer, because you can’t apply for a Skilled Worker visa without it.

Financial Evidence

You must show at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying. Submit bank statements with your name, account number, and dates clearly shown.

Some schools (if they’re A-rated sponsors) can confirm they’ll support you instead, which means you won’t need to show financial proof yourself. So it’s better to directly ask them if that’s an option.

Biometric and Health Documents

After submitting your online application, you’ll book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide biometric information. That’s your fingerprints and a digital photograph. The appointment costs £19.20 and usually takes 30 minutes.

If you’re from some specific countries, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Nigeria, you’ll also need a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate. Tests cost between £65 and £150 and are valid for six months. You’ll have to bring the certificate to your visa appointment.

You’ll also have to pay the immigration health surcharge (£1,035 per year) to access NHS healthcare while you’re in the UK.

Getting Ready to Arrive in the UK

Teaching in the UK as an overseas educator is absolutely possible if you follow the right steps. You just need to plan ahead and follow the steps carefully. So, start by choosing the visa that fits your situation and make sure your qualifications are recognised early on. And remember to never leave documents, tests, or clearances until the last minute.

One Reddit user summed it up perfectly: “I gave myself six months to prepare everything, and it was still tight. So, better start earlier than you think you need to.”

The UK actively recruits qualified teachers, especially in high-demand subjects like maths, science, and languages. So, get your paperwork sorted, and you’ll be in your new classroom before you know it.