Visas can be a minefield but do not worry; the International team at justteachers are on hand to guide you through it, what can often look like a daunting process is often very straightforward.
Throughout the last two years the UK government completely overhauled entry routes in to the UK, introducing a point’s based system of immigration. Depending on the visa that you are applying for, the processing time can be as little as 5 working days (Tier 5-Youth Mobility Visa) up to 8 weeks (Tier One or Right of Abode). Please note that justteachers are not an immigration advisory organisation, the below is information sourced from the British Immigration Agencies web site in the UK and the British High Commission site in New Zealand.
Please ensure you read British High Commission Important Information page, as well as the information below before making a visa application.
You can find out whether you need a visa by visiting Do I need a Visa?.
Visa application process
Applicants from New Zealand have their UK visa processed in Canberra. Individuals complete their application online, pay in NZ dollars, attend a biometrics appointment in New Zealand and post their application to a New Zealand PO Box.
You must address your application to:
British High Commission
C/- International Mail Centre
PO Box 210010
Laurence Stevens Drive
MANUKAU 2154
New Zealand
To help us treat your application speedily please enter your name and GWF number on the reverse of the envelope.
Please note applicants CANNOT lodge or collect these applications in person at the British High Commission in Wellington, British Consulate General in Auckland or at the International Mail Centre.
You will also be required to pay online and enclose a domestic prepaid self addressed return envelope/courier bag, that must be large enough to hold your documents without folding, for post within New Zealand. We will transfer applications back to New Zealand before entering them into the postal system. For processing purposes applicants should use a New Zealand Post trackable service, but regret we CANNOT accept Registered Post envelopes. Supplying a non- New Zealand Post product for return may result in delay or additional costs to the applicant. Failure to enclose a pre-paid return envelope will result in delay whilst we request one from you.
If you require any further information or cannot pay online please contact our call centre on 0900 48472. The call will cost $3.30 per minute (plus GST) charged to your phone account. Alternatively, you may pay for your call by credit card on 0800 448 972 (calls cost $12.00 whatever the length of the call). Calls made by mobiles may incur higher charges.
All visa applications have to be completed and paid for online. Demand for visas and biometric appointments varies throughout the year, but the peak time is January – June.
Please ensure you always check and double check your application prior to submission to ensure you have submitted the necessary information and you are clear on the documentation required. The High Commission are only able to post-date visas by a maximum of three months from the time of application. You can enter the UK anytime on or after your visa issue date, but not before. Please ensure you leave plenty of time for processing as changes to air tickets can be very expensive and frustrating.
For a step by step guide in how to apply please click here.
For the latest information visit the New Zealand British High Commission site.
The tiers and categories that teachers from overseas enter in to the UK to work with justteachers are:
- Tier 5 – Youth Mobility Visa (YMS) – open to New Zealand citizens aged between 18-30
- Tier 1 – open to New Zealand citizens that do not qualify for a YMV
- Alternative routes – British/EEA/EU Passport ,Ancestry, Right of Abode, Spouse Visa
Processing time
Processing time for most categories of entry clearance is 5 working days from the date of receipt into the Visa Section in Canberra. Settlement and Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode are currently being dealt within 8 weeks. Processing times are subject to change without notice.
Please note that some applications are not considered straight forward therefore these figures are for guidance only and it is not guaranteed that your application will be dealt with within that time.
Please check current performance on the UK Visa Services website by clicking here
Points Based Visa Routes to teach in the UK
Tier 5 – Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) – Tier 5
As its name suggests a scheme aimed at young teachers coming to the UK for a short period of time. To be eligible for Tier 5 you will need to score 40 points for attributes and 10 points for maintenance. As an New Zealand citizen (30 points) aged 18 to 30 years (10 points) you will meet the points required for attributes, with £1,600 of available funds in your bank account (10 points) at the time of application you will meet the points required for maintenance. If in doubt use the Self Assessment Points Calculator to confirm eligibility.
Once you have been granted the YMS visa you are permitted to enter the UK for a maximum of two years. As an New Zealand teacher holding this visa you are entitled to work as a teacher in England on either a supply basis or a permanent basis. Please click here for the latest fees.
Please note that you are not permitted to extend your stay after two years or make an “in country” application to switch to another visa, this would have to be made in New Zealand.
Unfortunately you will not be eligible for the scheme if:
- You do not meet the points criteria described above
- You have previously held a working holiday maker visa or YMS visa
- You have dependent children under the age of 18
The Tier One Visa is designed to allow highly skilled New Zealand teachers to migrate to the United Kingdom to look for teaching work. This visa will be valid for 2 years initially and is extendable in the UK. It is different from the standard UK sponsorship scheme because applicants do not need a specific teaching job offer in the UK. You will need a minimum of 100 points to qualify, unfortunately due to a limited number of Tier 1 visas available and an increase of points required from 95 to 100 it has become increasingly difficult for teachers to qualify for Tier 1. Click here to assess your eligibility on the point’s calculator.
Alternative visa routes to work in the UK
Under the UK Immigration Policy for Ancestry Visas, Commonwealth citizens who can verify their grandparent was born in the UK (including Southern Ireland prior to 31 March 1922) may apply for a visa that will allow them to stay in Britain for a period of five years. As a teacher under this type of visa you will be able to obtain day-to-day, long-term or permanent employment. For more information please click here.
The Right of Abode means that you are entirely free from United Kingdom immigration control. You do not need the permission of an immigration officer to enter the United Kingdom and you may live and teach without restriction. These are usually for people who have a parent born in the UK. The most common route to qualification is that you were born before 1/1/1983 and descended from a mother born in the United Kingdom, or legitimately descended from a father born in the United Kingdom. Applicants born after 1/1/1983 may be eligible for a British passport.
How do I know if I am a British citizen with the right of abode? Click here to check.
If you are married to a British National, an ancestry visa holder, an EU passport holder, a person who has right of abode, a sponsored work permit or a Tier One visa you will be entitled to live and work in the UK. Application costs will vary depending on the work visa.
Some Common Mistakes
- Selecting the wrong visa category, please ensure you select the correct type of application before enrolling your biometric data, as refunds cannot be given after this time. For those wishing to apply on the basis of UK Ancestry please chose the ‘Exempt/Others’ category and then select ‘UK Ancestry’.
- Please ensure you read and double check everything, one of the most common mistakes when applying for visa’s to teach in the UK is the submission of incorrect documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here for FAQs.
Beware of bogus web sites!
The UK Border Agency is the official UK Government authority providing information and guidance for visa applicants and for making decisions on visa applications for the UK. They operate through the official websites listed below. Please inform the UK Border Agency if you come across any bogus websites that have copied official branding, claim to be in partnership with us, ask for payments and claim to be able to obtain a visa for you.
UK Border Agency: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
UK Border Agency Visa Services: www.ukvisas.gov.uk
UK Border Agency Online Application Service (Visa4UK): www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk
Local websites operated by our Commercial Partners, CSC Worldbridge and VFS Global, and British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates around the world.
Please note that justteachers are not immigration advisors and nothing contained in this document should be perceived as immigration advice.
