Skilled Worker Visa for Teachers: UK Guide 2026
What you need to know
- •Teaching roles at secondary and primary level are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa.
- •Some teaching SOC codes appear on the Immigration Salary List, allowing a lower salary threshold.
- •Both maintained schools and private schools can sponsor teachers.
- •QTS is not a visa requirement, but schools may require it for employment.
- •Teaching assistants generally do not qualify due to the skill level requirement.
Teachers are among the most commonly sponsored professions on the Skilled Worker visa, with certain subject specialisms appearing on the Immigration Salary List. This guide explains the SOC codes, salary thresholds, sponsorship process, and QTS requirements for teachers in 2026.
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Teaching and the Skilled Worker Visa
The UK education sector faces ongoing recruitment challenges, particularly for teachers in STEM subjects, modern foreign languages, and schools in certain regions. The Skilled Worker visa provides a clear pathway for qualified overseas teachers to fill these gaps.
In 2026, the process is well-established. Many schools — both state-maintained and independent — hold sponsor licences and regularly recruit from overseas. The key considerations for teachers are the SOC code, salary threshold, and recognition of overseas qualifications.
SOC Codes for Teaching Roles
The Standard Occupational Classification code for your role determines the going rate and whether the role appears on the Immigration Salary List. The main teaching SOC codes are:
- SOC 2314 — Secondary education teaching professionals. This covers classroom teachers in secondary schools.
- SOC 2315 — Primary and nursery education teaching professionals. This covers classroom teachers in primary and nursery schools.
- SOC 2311 — Higher education teaching professionals. For university lecturers and researchers with teaching duties.
- SOC 2312 — Further education teaching professionals. For FE college lecturers and instructors.
Your employer selects the SOC code when creating the Certificate of Sponsorship. The code must accurately reflect the work you will be doing. Check the eligible occupations list for the full details.
Salary Thresholds for Teachers
The salary threshold for teachers depends on whether the role is on the Immigration Salary List. The general Skilled Worker threshold is £38,700, but teachers on the Immigration Salary List may benefit from a lower threshold.
Teaching salaries in UK state schools are set by the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document published by the Department for Education. The national pay scales mean that many teaching salaries are relatively standardised, though they vary by region and experience.
For new entrants (teachers under 26 or recently qualified), a reduced threshold of 70% of the going rate may apply. This is particularly relevant for newly qualified teachers whose starting salaries may be below the general threshold. See our salary threshold guide for the calculation.
The Sponsorship Process for Schools
Schools that want to recruit overseas teachers must hold a sponsor licence. Multi-academy trusts often hold a single licence covering all their schools. Individual maintained schools may need to apply separately, though some local authorities hold licences on behalf of their schools.
The process follows the standard Skilled Worker sponsorship process:
- The school obtains or confirms its sponsor licence
- The school assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship to the teacher
- The teacher applies for the Skilled Worker visa using the CoS reference number
- Biometrics and visa decision follow
Schools should be aware of the sponsorship duties on GOV.UK, including record-keeping and reporting changes to the Home Office.
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Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
QTS is the professional qualification required to teach in maintained schools in England. It is not a visa requirement — you can be granted a Skilled Worker visa without QTS. However, most maintained schools will require QTS as a condition of employment.
Overseas-trained teachers can apply for QTS through the Teaching Regulation Agency's professional recognition service. Some countries have mutual recognition agreements with the UK, which simplifies the process. Teachers from other countries may need to undergo an assessment or complete a period of teaching in the UK before being awarded QTS.
Independent (private) schools are not required to employ QTS-holding teachers, which can make them a more accessible entry point for overseas-trained teachers.
English Language Requirement
Teachers must meet the B1 English language requirement for the Skilled Worker visa. For most qualified teachers, this is straightforward — you can often meet it through a degree taught in English. If your degree was not taught in English, you will need to take an approved SELT (Secure English Language Test).
Note that the English language requirement for the visa is separate from any English proficiency requirements that the school may have. Some schools may expect a higher standard for classroom teaching.
DBS Checks and Safeguarding
All teachers working with children in the UK must undergo an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. If you are applying from overseas, you will also need a police certificate from your home country covering the last 10 years. This is both a visa requirement (for roles involving regulated activity with children) and an employment requirement.
Schools have their own safeguarding procedures and will guide you through the DBS process after your arrival.
Path to Settlement for Teachers
After 5 years on the Skilled Worker visa, teachers can apply for indefinite leave to remain. The settlement application requires ongoing employment at the going rate, a Life in the UK test pass, and English at B1 level. The settlement timeline guide maps out the full journey.
Next Steps
If you are a teacher seeking to work in the UK, identify schools with sponsor licences in your subject area. If you are a school, check that your sponsor licence is active and consider whether you need to apply for additional CoS allocations. In both cases, confirm the SOC code and salary meet the current threshold.
Related guides:
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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