When working in the UK there are five routes for any teacher to go through to gain entry for work in the UK.

1. Points Based System: Tier 5 – Youth Mobility Scheme

On 27th November 2008 the Working Holiday Visa/Maker was replaced by the Youth Mobility Scheme.  This is a scheme which has been joined by the Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and Japanese Governments whereby they sponsor citizens aged 18-31 to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.  The South African and Jamaican Governments who were previously members of the Working Holiday Scheme have not yet joined the YMS so at present the Youth Mobility Scheme is not a visa available to South African and Jamaican citizens.

Applications for the Youth Mobility Scheme can also be made by British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens and British Nationals Overseas. 

To apply for this visa, you must be able to show that you:

• Hold a valid National passport from one of the participating countries;
• Are between the ages of 18 & 31 inclusive;
• Have £1,600 in maintenance funds in order to support yourself in the UK.  Evidence to support this must be dated no earlier than one month before the application is made.

You are not eligible to apply for this visa if:

• You want to come to the UK with dependants. 
• You have spent time in the UK previously on a working holidaymaker visa or under the Youth Mobility Scheme.

Further information or guidance on how to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme can be found on:
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf28pbsyouthmobility

Many countries have the facility to apply for this visa online so use this website to check:
http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx

2. Dual Nationality

If you have dual nationality in Britain or another European Union country you will be allowed automatic entry to work in the UK. A dual second passport is all that is needed to prove this status.

3. Ancestral Visa (British Parent or Grandparent)

If you have a British parent or grandparent you are allowed to claim ancestry and the right to work in the UK for up to 5 years.

You will qualify for the ancestral visa if you can show that:

• You are a Commonwealth citizen;
• You are aged 17 or over;
• You have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man (see note below);
• You have a grandparent who was born in what is now the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922 (see note below);
• You are able to work and intend to do so in the UK, and;
• You can support yourself and any dependants, and live without needing any help from public funds;

Further information and guidance on how to apply for UK Ancestry can be found on:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf9ukancestry

Many countries have the facility to apply for this visa online so use this website to check:
http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx

4. Points Based System: Tier 2 – Sponsored Skilled Workers (General - Certificate of Sponsorship)

For those not eligible for any other type of visa, the most common route of securing entry to the UK for work is to be sponsored by a school or local authority.  Sponsorship by a school or LA is called a Certificate of Sponsorship and has replaced work permits.

A Certificate of Sponsorship can only be issued by schools or LAs who hold a licence to do so and when a job offer has been made.  It is not an actual document but a reference number which you then use to make an entry clearance application. 

Eligibility for entry clearance with a Certificate of Sponsorship is based on a points system.  This criteria differs depending on whether the subject you have been appointed to teach is deemed a shortage occupation.  Currently, only the subjects of maths and science are on the UKBA list of shortage occupations.

If you have accepted a position to teach a shortage occupation in the UK, the following criteria applies:

• Shortage Occupation:  you are awarded 50 points for this.
• English Language Skills:  a point score of 10 is required and will be awarded if you are a National of a majority English speaking country, have passed an English Language test approved by UKBA or have a degree accepted by UK Naric as being taught in English and equivalent to a UK bachelor degree level or above.
• Maintenance:  a point score of 10 is required and this can only be awarded if you can provide evidence of £800 available funds for yourself and £533 for each dependent coming with you, and that these amounts have been in your bank account for at least 3 months prior to applying. 

If you have accepted a position to teach a subject which does not feature on the shortage occupation list in the UK, the following criteria applies:

• Attributes: a point score of 50 is required based on your qualifications, earnings and sponsorship.
• English Language Skills:  a point score of 10 is required and will be awarded if you are a National of a majority English speaking country, have passed an English Language test approved by UKBA or have a degree accepted by UK Naric as being taught in English and equivalent to a UK bachelor degree level or above.
• Maintenance:  a point score of 10 is required and this can only be awarded if you can provide evidence of £800 available funds for yourself and £533 for each dependent coming with you, and that these amounts have been in your bank account for at least 3 months prior to applying. 

For more information on Certificates of Sponsorship or the criteria for and applying for entry clearance, please see the Home Office Website:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf26pbsskilledworker

To assess your eligibility for entry clearance based on a certificate of sponsorship you can check your points score using the self assessment calculator:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator

Many countries have the facility to apply for this visa online so use this website to check:
http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx

5. Points Based System: Tier 1 – Highly Skilled Worker (General Migrant)

On 29th February 2008 the Tier 1 – General Migrant (Highly Skilled Worker) points based system replaced the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa (HSMP).  You do not require a sponsor for this visa but you do need to meet a point score on the self assessment calculator to be eligible. 

The Tier 1 – General Migrant (Highly Skilled Worker) visa is an excellent immigration category for individuals with highly sought after skills and experience. Eligibility for this visa is based on a points system whereby points are allocated to individuals depending upon the following criteria:

• Attributes: a point score of 75 is required based on your age, qualifications, previous earnings and any previous experience in the UK.
• English Language Skills:  a point score of 10 is required and will be awarded if you are a National of a majority English speaking country, have passed an English Language test approved by UKBA or have a degree accepted by UK Naric as being taught in English and equivalent to a UK bachelor degree level or above.
• Maintenance:  a point score of 10 is required and this can only be awarded if you can provide evidence of £2,600 for yourself and £1,600 for each dependents coming with you, and that these amounts have been in your bank account for at least 3 months prior to applying. 

Further information or guidance on how to apply for the Highly Skilled Worker Visa can be found on:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf21pbsgeneralmigrant#10360972

To assess your eligibility as a highly skilled worker on the Tier 1 scheme you can check your points score using the self assessment calculator:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator

Many countries have the facility to apply for this visa online so use this website to check: