Quick Read
- The International Relocation Payment UK pilot ended permanently on 31 May 2025.
- Eligible teachers received Rs.12.80 lakh (£10,000) in two equal installments.
- Only Physics and Languages teachers in English state schools qualified for this payment.
- Second-instalment applications remain open until 30 June 2026 for qualifying teachers.
Current Status of the International Relocation Payments in UK Pilot (2026 Update)
The 2-year International Relocation Payments in UK pilot officially ended on 31 May 2025. The DfE has confirmed it will not be extended. No new applications are being accepted.
Here is what this decision means for Indian teachers in three situations:
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If you started your UK teaching job between 1 September 2023 and 28 February 2024: You received a single payment of Rs.12.80 lakh (£10,000) at the end of your first term. No further IRP payments are due.
If you started your UK teaching job between 1 March 2024 and 31 May 2025: You received a first installment of Rs.6.40 lakh (£5,000). You are eligible to apply for your second installment of Rs.6.40 lakh (£5,000). The application window is open from 22 September 2025 to 30 June 2026. You become eligible after the anniversary of your original start date. The DfE will contact you with application details.
If you are planning to move to the UK now or in 2026: You are not eligible for the International Relocation Payments in UK. The scheme is closed to new applicants.
If you are eligible for the second installment and have not heard from the DfE, email international.relocationpayment@education.gov.uk directly.
Counselor insight: Several Indian teachers have reached out assuming they can still apply after seeing this scheme mentioned on social media. The pilot ended in May 2025. If your contract started after the cut-off, you are not eligible for this payment. Plan your relocation budget without it and look at the alternative schemes we cover below.
Who Was Eligible for the International Relocation Payments in UK: Full Criteria
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Subject taught | Physics, general or combined science including Physics, or Languages (any except English) |
| Type of school | English state secondary school only. Independent and private schools did not qualify. |
| Residency | Must not have been a UK resident more than 3 months before the job start date |
| Nationality | Non-UK and non-Irish citizens only |
| Contract duration | Minimum 1 year at an English state school |
| Visa type | Skilled Worker visa, Youth Mobility Scheme visa, or Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme |
| Academic year | Contract starting between 1 September 2023 and 31 May 2025 |
| Subject workload | Main subject must constitute at least 50% of teaching workload |
Indian teachers of Hindi, French, Spanish, German, or Mandarin are qualified under Languages. Physics and combined science with Physics also qualified. Mathematics, Biology-only, Chemistry-only, and English did not.
Counselor insight: A common mistake we saw was Indian Chemistry and Biology teachers assuming they qualified under "Science." The scheme was specifically for Physics. If your degree or teaching background is in Chemistry or Biology alone, you would not have been eligible. Physics combined with another science was acceptable only if Physics made up at least 50% of your teaching workload.
How to Apply for the Second International Relocation Payment UK Instalment
If you started a qualifying teaching role between 1 March 2024 and 31 May 2025, received your first Rs.6.40 lakh (£5,000), and have completed three full academic terms with a contract lasting at least one more year, here is the process:
Step 1: Check your anniversary date. You become eligible after reaching the anniversary of your original employment start date in England.
Step 2: Wait for DfE contact. The DfE contacts you after your anniversary date with application details. Applications go through the Get Into Teaching portal.
Step 3: Apply through the claim portal. Use the UK Government's claim additional teaching payment service. Confirm your employment status and teaching subject.
Step 4: Verification. The DfE checks your visa and immigration status with the Home Office and contacts your school to verify your employment and subject.
Step 5: Payment. Once verified, Rs.6.40 lakh (£5,000) is paid directly into your UK bank account. No receipts or proof of spending are required.
Deadline: 30 June 2026. If you miss this deadline, email international.relocationpayment@education.gov.uk immediately.
Counselor insight: The second installment is not paid automatically. It requires a separate application. If you have passed your employment anniversary and have not heard from the DfE, email them now. Do not wait for the June 2026 deadline.
What Indian Teachers Earn in the UK: Salary Scale 2025-26
The International Relocation Payments in UK was a one-time grant, not a long-term income plan. Your actual financial decision should be based on the salary structure.
After the DfE accepted a 4% pay increase from September 2025, qualified teacher salaries in England are:
| Pay Range | Annual Salary (Outside London) | Annual Salary (Inner London) | Approx. Monthly Take-Home (Outside London) |
| M1 (starting, newly qualified) | Rs.42.13 lakh (£32,916) | Rs.51.61 lakh (£40,317) | Rs.2.46 lakh/month |
| M6 (top of main range) | Rs.53.56 lakh (£41,843) | Rs.64.22 lakh (£50,171) | Rs.3.12 lakh/month |
| UPS1 (upper pay scale) | Rs.57.19 lakh (£44,680) | Rs.68.61 lakh (£53,602) | Rs.3.34 lakh/month |
| UPS3 (top of upper range) | Rs.68.61 lakh (£53,602) | Rs.79.99 lakh (£62,496) | Rs.4.00 lakh/month |
Exchange rate: Rs.128 per GBP (June 2026). Take-home figures are estimates after income tax, National Insurance, and Teachers' Pension Scheme contributions. Verify at gov.uk.
Take-home estimates assume income tax at 20% (basic rate), National Insurance at 8%, and Teachers’ Pension Scheme contributions at 7.4% (applicable TPS rate for M1-M6 wages from April 2025). The amount you will receive depends on your income point, salary sacrifice plans, and if you have student loan deductions. For a bespoke figure, use the HMRC tax calculator.
Physics teachers with additional obligations may also be eligible for Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments ranging from Rs.3.76 lakh to Rs.17.53 lakh (£2,934 to £13,697) each year, on top of the basic income.
Counselor insight: An Indian teacher earning £53,000 in Manchester is likely to have more spare income than one earning £64,000 in Central London after rent. Always compare employment offers from other cities on the basis of net disposable income, not gross wage.
For a full cost picture, read our guide on Cost of Living in the UK for Indian Students and Professionals.
Which Indian Teachers Should Consider UK Roles Now: Three Scenarios
If you are a qualified Physics teacher with 3-5 years of CBSE/ICSE experience: Your qualification may be recognized under the DfE's Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) framework, which includes India. Apply directly for UK state school roles. The IRP is closed, but you can negotiate a relocation package with your employer. A starting salary of Rs.42.13 lakh (£32,916) outside London is a step up from most Indian private school salaries.
If you are a Languages teacher at an international school in India: UK state schools still actively recruit for this subject. Without the IRP, your first-year out-of-pocket relocation cost is approximately Rs.7-10 lakh, which includes the visa (Rs.1.05 lakh (£819) for up to 3 years, or Rs.2.07 lakh (£1,618) for over 3 years), IHS (Rs.3.97 lakh upfront for 3 years), flights, and initial housing. Ask your UK recruiter directly whether the school offers a relocation package before you sign.
If you are a final-year B.Ed. student in Science or Languages graduating in 2026: The IRP is closed to trainees and to you. Build 1-2 years of classroom experience in India first. Most UK state schools want at least one year of teaching experience before sponsoring an overseas Skilled Worker visa.
What Happens If Things Go Wrong
You missed the second installment deadline (after 30 June 2026): Email international.relocationpayment@education.gov.uk with your employment start date, school name, and first installment reference. The DfE has indicated it will consider cases where teachers missed the window because DfE contact did not arrive.
Your Skilled Worker visa was refused: Contact a registered UK immigration solicitor immediately. The Home Office's Right to Work checks page explains your status during an appeal period.
Your IRP payment was delayed or never arrived: Confirm with your school's HR team that DfE received the employment verification. Then email the DfE directly.
Your Indian teaching qualification was not recognized: If you hold a B.Ed. from an NCTE-recognized institution and your school is querying your QTS eligibility, refer them to the DfE's guidance on non-UK qualified teachers. Indian qualifications are recognized under MRPQ for certain subject areas.
You are switching from a student visa to a Skilled Worker visa: This is possible from within the UK. Your employer must hold a valid sponsor license. Inside-UK applications typically take up to 8 weeks. Apply through the UK Visas and Immigration portal. If you are planning to bring family members, check the updated UK visa fees for 2026 before budgeting, as dependent visa costs are separate.
Documents Indian Teachers Need for UK School Roles and Visa Applications
| Document | India-Specific Details |
| Degree marksheets | All year-wise marksheets from your Bachelor's degree are required. Notarized copies are required. |
| B.Ed. certificate and marksheets | From an NCTE-recognized institution. Translated to English if originally in a regional language. |
| Provisional or passing certificate | Required if your original degree certificate has not yet been issued. Standard for recent graduates. |
| Teaching experience letter | The letter must be on official school letterhead and include the subject taught, years of experience, and type of school (government/private). |
| Passport | Valid for the full duration of the Skilled Worker visa. Check the expiry date before applying. |
| English language proof | Indian teachers from English-medium schools may qualify for exemption. If proof is required, IELTS is the most commonly accepted test. Confirm requirements with the DfE. |
| DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check | Arranged by your UK school after you arrive. The DBS check cannot be done in India. |
| Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | Required for overseas criminal record checks. Obtained from your local police station in India. |
| UK bank account | Needed to receive any teacher payments. Monzo and Starling allow pre-arrival account opening. |
International Relocation Payments in UK vs Other Financial Support for Overseas Teachers
| Scheme | Amount | Who It's For | Status in 2026 |
| International Relocation Payment (IRP) | Rs.12.80 lakh (£10,000) total | Physics and Languages teachers, state schools | Pilot ended May 2025. Second installment only, until June 2026. |
| Levelling Up Premium | Up to Rs.38.40 lakh (£30,000) over 5 years | Qualified teachers in disadvantaged state schools | Active. Check eligibility at gov.uk. |
| Early Career Payments | Rs.2.56 lakh (£2,000) or Rs.3.84 lakh (£3,000) per year depending on subject | ECTs in first 3 years at state schools | Active. Check eligibility on GOV.UK |
| Employer Relocation Package | Typically Rs.2.56-Rs.6.40 lakh (£2,000-£5,000) | Negotiated with individual UK school | Available at many schools. Must be asked for explicitly. |
Counselor insight: The Levelling Up Premium is considerably more valuable than the IRP over a career horizon. Physics teachers in disadvantaged state schools can access up to Rs. 38.40 lakh (£30,000) over five years. The constraint is the school location. If you can teach anywhere in England, this premium should be part of your negotiations when evaluating any offer.
3 Takeaways for Indian Teachers Considering UK Roles
First: The International Relocation Payments in UK is permanently closed to new applicants. Do not factor it into your relocation budget if you are moving in 2026 or later.
Second: If you received your first Rs.6.40 lakh (£5,000) installment for a role started between March 2024 and May 2025, apply for your second installment before 30 June 2026 through the Get Into Teaching portal. This deadline will not be extended.
Third: The teacher shortage in Physics and Languages in England has not gone away. The Levelling Up Premium, Early Career Payments, and employer relocation packages are now the financial incentives to plan around.
Have questions about your International Relocation Payments in UK application or UK visa status? Speak to a LeapScholar counselor
Frequently Asked Questions About International Relocation Payments in UK
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What are the International Relocation Payments in UK?
The International Relocation Payments in UK was a DfE-funded grant of Rs.12.80 lakh (£10,000) for overseas Physics and Languages teachers relocating to teach in English state secondary schools. It ran as a pilot between September 2023 and May 2025 and has since been permanently closed.
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What is the relocation allowance for the UK?
There is no single standard relocation allowance across the UK. For teachers, the International Relocation Payments in UK offered up to Rs.12.80 lakh (£10,000) during the pilot period. Outside of that, UK employers typically offer Rs.2.56-Rs.6.40 lakh (£2,000-£5,000) as an individual relocation package, negotiated directly before signing the contract.
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How much money do you need to relocate to the UK?
If you are a teacher from India moving to England, you should plan on Rs.7-10 lakh minimum for the first relocation. This includes Skilled Worker visa cost (Rs.1.05 lakh (£819) for a maximum of 3 years outside the UK). Immigration Health Surcharge paid upfront (Rs.3.97 lakh for 3 years, calculated as £1,035 per year x 3 years = £3,105). Source: GOV.UK IHS site, one-way flight (Rs.40,000-Rs.80,000) and first-month rent deposit (Rs.1.92-Rs.3.84 lakh). Then from monthly living expenses, it varies from Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.2.5 lakh depending on the city.
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What countries will pay you to move there from the UK?
Certain countries have financial incentives to attract qualified workers. Canada offers provincial nominee streams with settlement support. Germany has the Fachkraft (Skilled Worker) visa with employer-funded relocation in some areas. New Zealand has employer-sponsored relocation packages for shortage occupations. These are not government grants, but employer grants; therefore, they will vary by function and contract.
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Who is eligible for relocation allowance in the UK?
Eligibility depends on the specific scheme. For the now-closed International Relocation Payments in UK, only qualified overseas teachers of Physics or Languages with a minimum 1-year contract at an English state secondary school qualified. For employer relocation packages, eligibility may be offered for any new hire relocating more than a set distance (usually 50 miles), subject to individual employer policy and negotiation.
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Does the International Relocation Payment in UK need to be repaid?
The DfE's official IRP guidance confirms the payment does not need to be repaid under any circumstances. It is a government grant, not a loan, and the official guidance states no repayment obligation. No receipts or proof of spending are required. If you have any doubt about your specific situation, confirm directly with the DfE at international.relocationpayment@education.gov.uk before acting on this information.
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Is the International Relocation Payments in UK taxable?
The DfE’s official IRP guideline doesn’t clearly say whether the payment is taxable. HMRC says you can get up to £8,000 of qualified employer-paid relocation expenses tax-free. However, the IRP is a government grant paid directly to the teacher rather than an employer relocation expense; therefore, it could be seen by HMRC as taxable employment income. The DfE has not published an HMRC ruling on this issue. Before you send in your Self Assessment, check your tax position with HMRC straight at gov.uk/contact-hmrc or with a certified UK tax expert.
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Can Indian teachers teach in the UK without QTS?
Indian instructors without UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) can be employed in academy schools and free schools in England, which are under no legal obligation to hire teachers with QTS qualification. Maintained state schools require QTS. If you’re an Ed. If you’re a B. If you are from an NCTE-recognized institution and have at least 1 year of teaching experience, you can apply for QTS through the professional recognition route for overseas teachers via the Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA). India is covered under the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) system for some subject areas.
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