Hi Emma,

I am a teacher also, a we have just started the process. we have an agent, and he has advised us that the skills assesment can take 4 - 6 weeks. If you are being sponsored (I am, i need the points!) then that application takes about 8 weeks, after that is the visa. Apparently according to my agent they are taking up to a year even just to look at the visa application, then a further 3 - 4 months to process it (and non sponsored take even longer!) So, after you actually submit the skills assessment (for which you have a heap of documents to collect) you are reaslistically looking at 18mths to 2 years.

Heres the bummer bit - unfortunately, the skills assessment has to go first. For this you need a reference from your current employer! I am just plucking up the courage to tell my headteacher when i go back next week. Even though i plan to give her all the it'll take years, its a long term thing speil, i still expect her to go nuts and not see past the 'i am thinking of leaving' part!

good luck with it!

mandm