Applying for your UK Visa
Youth Mobility Visa
The Youth Mobility Visa (YMS) is a flexible, easy option for teachers from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand moving to the UK.
- Work Flexibility: With this visa, you can do any kind of work—including casual roles like substitute teaching—without restrictions.
- Eligibility: Open to citizens of Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. Currently, it’s for ages 18-30, but the UK plans to extend this to 35 by the end of 2024. New Zealand citizens can already apply until age 36 and stay for up to 3 years.
- Upcoming Changes: By the end of 2024, Australians and Canadians will also be able to stay for 3 years instead of 2.
- Timing: Apply up to 6 months before travel, enter the UK within 90 days of your visa start date, and expect a decision within 3 weeks (or as fast as 1 week if urgent).
- Cost: £298, plus a healthcare surcharge.
UK Ancestry Visa
The UK Ancestry Visa is a great option for Commonwealth citizens with UK heritage who want to live and work in the UK. Here’s a quick overview:
- Work Flexibility: This 5-year visa allows you to work without restrictions, so you can take any job or even be self-employed.
- Eligibility: Open to Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. You must also plan to work in the UK and meet other eligibility requirements.
- Application Timeline:
- Apply up to 3 months before your travel date.
- Set your travel date at least 2 weeks before you need to start work.
- After your visa is issued, you have 90 days to enter the UK, giving you flexibility in planning.
- Processing Time: Expect a decision within 3 weeks of applying from outside the UK.
- Cost: The application fee is £637, and you’ll need to pay an additional healthcare surcharge for NHS access.
- Duration and Extensions: You can stay for 5 years and may extend for another 5 years or apply for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residency) after 5 years in the UK.
Skilled Work Visa
The Skilled Worker Visa is another option if the Youth Mobility or Ancestry visas don't apply to your situation. Here’s a quick overview:
- Work Flexibility: This visa requires you to be sponsored by a UK employer (such as a school or local authority). Unlike the other visas, recruitment agencies cannot sponsor candidates. You must already have a job offer before applying.
- Eligibility: Teachers aged 31 or above from Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, and all citizens from the US, Jamaica, and South Africa will need to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.
- Application Process:
- You must apply after receiving a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.
- You can apply up to 3 months before your travel date.
- You should set your travel date at least 2 weeks before your intended start date.
- A decision should be made within 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK.
- Cost: The application fee ranges from £712 to £1,500, depending on your circumstances. Additionally, you will need to pay the healthcare surcharge, which varies based on the length of your visa.
- Duration and Extensions: The visa can last anywhere from 1 to 5 years, depending on your employer’s sponsorship and your role. You can extend the visa if needed.
