Which countries' teaching qualifications are recognised in England?
By George Wilks · Fact-checked against official sources on 6 Nov 2026 · Updated 6 Nov 2026
Short answer
Teachers who trained in Australia, Canada, the European Economic Area (EEA), Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Jersey, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, the USA can apply for QTS through the DfE Apply for QTS service if they meet the other requirements. Since 9 September 2026, teachers who trained in Ghana, India or Nigeria are no longer eligible for this service. Teachers who qualified in Wales already hold QTS.
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Key facts
- Eligibility is based on where you trained, not nationality
- 13 countries and regions listed (EEA counts as one)
- Ghana, India and Nigeria removed from 9 September 2026
- Wales-qualified teachers already hold QTS
The DfE list
| Eligible country or region |
|---|
| Australia |
| Canada |
| the European Economic Area (EEA) |
| Guernsey |
| Hong Kong |
| Jamaica |
| Jersey |
| New Zealand |
| Singapore |
| South Africa |
| Switzerland |
| Ukraine |
| the USA |
The EEA means the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Other parts of the UK and Crown dependencies
Teachers who qualified in Wales hold QTS automatically. Teachers from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar need a teaching qualification at level 6 or above and recognition as a teacher where they trained; if that qualification is not a bachelor's degree, they also need a separate degree. Guernsey and Jersey are on the main list.
If your country is not listed
Recognition through Apply for QTS is not the only way in. You can gain QTS in England through an assessment-only route or a training route, or through international QTS (iQTS) training taken abroad. Academies, free schools and independent schools can also employ teachers without QTS.
Changes in 2026
From 9 September 2026 teachers trained in Ghana, India or Nigeria can no longer use this service. From 13 October 2026 the earlier subject restrictions for some countries were removed. Lists change, so check the DfE page on the day you apply.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the USA eligible?
Yes, the USA is on the DfE list. GOV.UK does not list separate state restrictions.
I am a British citizen who trained abroad. Which rule applies?
The country where you trained decides eligibility, not your citizenship.
Does UK ENIC need to check my degree?
Yes. Your degree must be verified as the same standard as a UK bachelor's degree.
Sources
- Overseas trained teachers: apply for QTS in England (DfE) · checked 6 Nov 2026
- Routes to QTS for teachers with experience outside the UK · checked 6 Nov 2026
- Get Into Teaching: teach in England if you trained overseas · checked 6 Nov 2026
Related answers
How do I get QTS if I trained overseas?
If you trained as a teacher in an eligible country or region, you apply for qualified teacher status (QTS) online through the Department for Education's free Apply for QTS in England service. You need a degree, a recognised teaching qualification, full teacher status where you trained, at least one school year of teaching experience and evidence of English. If you trained elsewhere, you can still reach QTS through a training or assessment route in England.
Can a school sponsor a teacher's Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. A school, academy trust or local authority can sponsor a teacher for a Skilled Worker visa if it holds a Home Office worker sponsor licence. It issues you a certificate of sponsorship for an eligible job that meets the salary rules, and you then apply for the visa yourself. Not every school has a licence, and a licence doesn't mean every role will be sponsored.
What salary do I need for a Skilled Worker visa as a teacher?
For eligible teaching jobs, the Skilled Worker salary must be at least £25,000, or the job's going rate if that is higher, and it must also meet the relevant national pay-scale rate. Teaching jobs therefore do not have to meet the general £41,700 threshold that applies to most other jobs. The Home Office publishes the pay-scale rates it uses for each pay area.
How long does Apply for QTS take, and what does it cost?
Apply for QTS is free: DfE does not charge to assess your application or award QTS. DfE says it assesses 90% of applications within 12 months. Applications with verified teaching experience in England may be assessed faster, while missing evidence, slow references and verification requests cause delays.
Can I teach in England without QTS?
Yes, in many schools. QTS is not generally a legal requirement in academies, free schools or independent schools, though many prefer it. In maintained schools, a teacher who qualified outside the UK through recognised teacher training can generally teach for up to four years before needing QTS. The four-year rule does not apply in pupil referral units or alternative provision, where QTS is needed from the start.