Teaching in the UK: Brexit, Right to Work & Visa Process

Here is our guide to applying to become a teacher in the UK.

Guide to Moving to the UK: Brexit and Visa Process

Brexit Update

The UK has left the EU single market and customs union, and the transition period after Brexit finishes at the end of 2020. Although the UK ceased to be a European Union member on 31st January with the withdrawal agreement, the UK has yet to agree a final deal. During the current transition period, the UK is still abiding by EU rules. The transition period ends on 31 December 2020 and the deadline for extending it has now passed.As Government leaders are continuing to discuss a Brexit deal, the results of negotiations may mean changes to the rules below. Brexit currently means for individuals looking to move to Britain:

• Until 31st December 2020, expat and migrant workers who move to work in Britain will still have the same rights to working conditions, pay and social security/benefits
• From 1st January 2021, new rules around travel, immigration and trade may affect citizens and businesses in the UK and Europe
• From 1st July 2021, EU citizens and any family members living with them must hold or have applied for UK immigration status to legally work in the UK.

Right to Work

The Right To Work is a legal requirement for anyone with a job in the UK. You are currently eligible to work in the UK, and therefore do not need to obtain a work permit, if you are:

• A British citizen
• An European Economic Area (EEA) citizen
• A Swiss national.

If you were born in the UK or are a citizen of the European Economic Area, you automatically have the right to work in the UK, but will need to apply for a residence permit.

What Brexit Means for Teachers: Qualified Teaching Status

Teaching staff from overseas will need to apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to work in the UK. Nationals from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland must:

• Have teaching qualifications from either an EU member state or one of the above countries
• Be recognised as a qualified school teacher in one of these countries.

Nationals from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, with qualifications from outside one of these countries, but must have:

• Teaching qualifications recognised by an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
• At least 3 years’ experience as a teacher in the EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, that recognised your qualifications

Nationals from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, who are recognised in one of these countries but are only qualified to teach pupils with special educational needs and disability (SEND) can apply for partial qualified teacher status. Partial status enables you to take a teaching position in a SEND school or teach pupils in a SEND unit in mainstream schools. Individuals who qualified in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA must:

• Apply for QTS
• Send a letter from the registered authority in your country that confirms that you are qualified and eligible to teach permanently in the country
• Not have not been barred from teaching.

If your application is successful, you will receive an email notification from the UK Government that you have been awarded either full QTS or partial QTS. Both options mean you will not be required to undertake any further training, and you will not have to complete a statutory induction period. After completing the training, you will get QTS and be able to apply for a permanent teaching post in a maintained school or non-maintained special school. If your application is unsuccessful, you will need to complete an initial teacher training course in England. Alternatively, if you’re an experienced teacher with a degree, you may be able to demonstrate that you already meet all of the standards for QTS through the assessment only route. Individuals who trained outside of a country listed above will normally need to complete an accredited training programme in England. Alternatively, experienced teachers with a degree may be able to complete an assessment or apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS). Although travel to and from the UK is currently affected by the coronavirus pandemic, eligible overseas candidates can apply online to have their qualifications recognised to teach in England.

How to Get a UK Visa and Work Permit

If you are not a British citizen, EEA citizen or Swiss national, you may need to apply for a visa to teach in the UK. Individuals can apply for a visa via a British Overseas Mission in your own country, or the British Embassy. Obtaining a visa does not necessarily mean you are able to work in the UK: individuals may also need to obtain a work permit. Employers must apply for work permits for all their potential employees: your prospective school can sponsor you for your new job. There are different types of visa and work permits that vary depending on your type of work and the length of your time working in the UK. However, you can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa without sponsorship if you:

• Want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years
• Are 18 to 30 years old
• Have £1,890 in savings
• Have certain types of British Nationality or are from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Monaco, New Zealand or Taiwan
• Meet the other eligibility requirements.

Apply to Teach in the UK

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic and beyond, schools across England are urgently recruiting. We are urgently looking for experienced Maths, Science, Computer Science and MFL teaching staff to start new jobs from Autumn 2020 or January 2021. Prospero Teaching are partnering with the UK’s Department for Education (DfE) to help experienced teachers relocate to work in England. Candidates trained in the following countries are eligible to apply:

• USA
• Canada
• Australia
• South Africa
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• France
• Germany
• Spain.

Find out more – start your teaching career in the UK.