Petition · Home Office

Waive UK visa fees for overseas teachers coming to work in the UK

Closed 191 signatures

What the petition asks

We believe the UK’s education sector is in the grip of a significant recruitment and retention crisis. Not all students have the subject specialists they deserve. We believe overseas teachers play a vital role in bolstering our falling teacher numbers; yet may be expected to pay to do so.
We believe that any overseas teacher employed in the UK state education sector should have their annual working visa fees waived once their employment status is confirmed. Without their labour, we believe our education system would be in an even greater crisis. We believe they should not have to pay for the privilege of working here and educating our children and young people in the state sector. For many overseas teachers these fees cause financial hardship.

Timeline

13 Aug 2025 Petition opened for signatures
13 Feb 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 191
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 13 Aug 2025
Closed 13 Feb 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 8 Aug 2026.