Extension to exemption from Tier 2 visa salary threshold for STEM and Mandarin teachers
The Government has announced that the current exemption from the £30,000 minimum salary threshold for Tier 2 (General) sponsored workers in a number of public service professions has been extended.
The Government has announced that the current exemption from the £30,000 minimum salary threshold for Tier 2 (General) sponsored workers in a number of public service professions has been extended. This includes secondary teachers for STEM subjects (maths, physics, chemistry and computer science) and Mandarin.
Originally intended to end on 1 July 2019, the extension will be in place until the proposed new immigration system is implemented in January 2021, following which a salary threshold of £30,000 per annum is currently due to be introduced across the board. Therefore, during this period, any eligible non-EEA STEM and Mandarin teachers will only need to meet the lower salary threshold of £20,800 per annum. Schools may wish to think about recruiting into these areas whilst the exemption continues to apply.
It is positive that the difficulties in attracting teachers to these shortage subjects continues to be recognised. However, in practice, the shortage and struggle to recruit in the education sector extends beyond these subject areas. For those subjects where the £30,000 salary threshold will apply, including for primary teachers, this means a salary equivalent of at least M5 outside of London.
As it stands, there are currently no exemptions for the education sector to the proposed new immigration system which will come into play in 2021. The Government has committed to consult with stakeholders on the proposed £30,000 salary threshold. We would encourage schools to engage in meaningful consultation and would welcome any views which we can feedback on your behalf during this process.
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Academy Trust Handbook 2025: Managing public money
Opinion
Updates to academy trust governance: A missed opportunity?
Legal Update
Executive pay and the Academy Trust Handbook: Clarity, challenge and good governance
On-Demand
School exclusions: A review of the latest developments and looking to the year ahead
Legal Update
Medr reform: What you need to know
Opinion
Pride Month: A time to review DEI
Legal Update
Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: What schools and trusts need to know
Opinion
Employer redundancy guide: Sourcing alternative employment
Legal Update
DEI in school governance: Key themes and insights
Guide
Using AI for recruitment: The data issues
Guide
The socio-economic duty: Shifting mindsets for true social mobility
Legal Update
Trans matters in health for trusts and acute settings: The decision in For Women Scotland
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s School Leaders Survey illustrates concerns over financial resilience ahead of spending review
Press Release
Majority of UK organisations remain committed to sustainability and ESG, says new research
Opinion
Addressing the gender pay gap in school trusts
Podcast - #EdInfluence
#EdInfluence podcast (series 4): In conversation with inspiring leaders
Legal Update
Consultation on proposed changes to Estyn inspection regime in Wales
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s latest School Leaders Survey to focus on schools exclusions and early years funding
Opinion
Disciplinary procedures and mental health: Employer considerations
Opinion
Supreme Court gender ruling: Ensuring inclusion in the workplace
Legal Update
Celebrating diversity and inclusion in the NHS: Equality, Diversity, and Human Rights Week 2025
Legal Update
Supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace: Practical steps for businesses
Legal Update - Be Connected (schools)
Be Connected: Schools and academy trusts, May 2025
Legal Update
New novel, contentious and repercussive transactions guidance
Legal Update
Unpacking the new guidelines for alternative provision: Practical steps for education institutions and providers
Legal Update
A New chapter for families: Reflecting on the first month of the introduction of neonatal care leave
Legal Update
Trans matters in care: The decision in For Women Scotland
Legal Update
Trans matters in sport: The decision in For Women Scotland
Opinion
EHRC releases guidance for employers after Supreme Court ruling on definition of woman
Legal Update
Unfunded pay rise for teachers risks strikes, tension, restructures and budget crisis
Guide
Advice for schools on how to handle information requests from the police
Legal Update
2025/26 employment rates and limits: Are costs increases having a negative impact on the job market?
Legal Update
School leaders survey, summer 2025
Legal Update
Analysing new statistics on school exclusions
Legal Update
The rise in schools-based nurseries and the practicalities for growing trusts
Legal Update
Supreme Court ruling on trans women: What schools need to know
Legal Update
Changes to Ofsted inspection, school accountability and intervention
Legal Update
Top tips for schools handling AI generated complaints
Legal Update
The concept of sex is binary: For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers Supreme Court case explained
