- The UK recently announced a new visa route which seeks to allow teachers from select countries move to the UK to work.
- Teachers from Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe can apply.
- Qualified teachers from select countries can teach in the UK for up to four years
- The move is a bid to encourage teachers largely from developing countries meet up with the countries shortage of teachers.
The United Kingdom has released new updates on work visas for international workers, including teachers. The official report indicates a shortage of teachers in the UK, prompting the government to identify countries whose teachers qualify to work in Britain. This is a good way to get teaching jobs in the United Kingdom.
Under the new route, qualified teachers from outside the UK, can work as teachers in the UK for up to 4 years without the need to have a Qualified Teachers Status (QTS), the UK’s professional teaching qualification for teachers.
Nigeria was listed on the list of countries worldwide whose teachers are needed for immediate employment and migration.
Outlined below is all you need to know about the UK’s Visa for tecahers and how to apply.
Criteria for Application
To apply for teaching jobs in the United Kingdom from Nigeria, potential applicants need to obtain a skilled worker visa to allow them to work in the UK. In addition, the current employer of the applicant must sponsor the visa.
In this case, a sponsor refers to a school, an academic institution, a trust fund, or a local authority. The sponsor must also have an employer license, referred to as a worker license.
Prospective employers who wish to sponsor an applicant can apply for an employer license from the official UK Visas and Immigration website HERE.
Visa
Applicants from Nigeria can apply for teaching jobs in Nigeria through two visa classes, which are the Graduate Visa Class and the High Potential Visa Class. This two visa classes are explained below:
Graduate Visa Class: This visa class is for graduates who wish to apply for teaching jobs in the United Kingdom upon completion of degree programs in the UK. Priority is given to graduates with good results and studied courses related to education or educational courses. Also, to be eligible for the visa, the graduate would have to provide proof that he/she was sponsored by an eligible student sponsor licensed by the UK Home Office during their studies in the United Kingdom.
The visa allows the successful applicant to search for teaching jobs and work in the United Kingdom for 2 years after completing their course; Ph.D. students are given 3 years. In addition, holders of the graduate visa can apply for a visa upgrade (to a skilled worker visa) without needing to travel out of the United Kingdom, as is often required.
High Potential Individual Visa Class: This is a visa for teachers who meet the following criteria listed below.
- He/She has a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or Ph.D. from a recognized university listed in the global universities list
- He/She has been awarded their degree within the space of five years before application
- He/She has English language skills to B1 intermediate level
- He/She has personal funds to the tune of £1,270
- He/She does not have any criminal record in their home country
Qualification Test
To be eligible to apply for a teaching visa and job in the United Kingdom, applicants must apply and pass the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Eligible Countries
According to the United Kingdom home office, taking effect from 1 February 2023, teachers from the following countries can apply for teaching jobs in the United Kingdom. They include:
- Ghana
- Hong Kong
- India
- Jamaica
- Nigeria
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Ukraine
- Zimbabwe
You can find out more about the application process, requirements, and QTS test HERE.
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