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The Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work) is a UK immigration route designed for individuals who wish to come to the UK to undertake unpaid voluntary work for a charity. The main purpose of this visa is to allow non-UK residents to contribute to the charitable sector in the UK, enhancing their skills and experience in a global setting. This visa requires sponsorship from a licensed charity in the UK that will confirm the applicant's role and the nature of the voluntary work to be undertaken. It is important to note that this visa does not permit any paid work and is strictly for voluntary charity work only.
Temporary Worker
The Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work) is a UK immigration route designed for individuals who wish to come to the UK to undertake unpaid voluntary work for a charity. The main purpose of this visa is to allow non-UK residents to contribute to the charitable sector in the UK, enhancing their skills and experience in a global setting. This visa requires sponsorship from a licensed charity in the UK that will confirm the applicant's role and the nature of the voluntary work to be undertaken. It is important to note that this visa does not permit any paid work and is strictly for voluntary charity work only.
Applicants must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK charity that holds a sponsor licence. The CoS is a unique reference number that confirms the charity has offered a temporary position that is directly related to its charitable work. The CoS must be issued no more than 3 months before the date of application.
The role offered must be directly related to the activities of the sponsoring charity. This means the work should support the charity's mission and objectives. It cannot be a permanent position and should be temporary in nature.
Applicants must demonstrate their intention to leave the UK at the end of their visa period or have plans to switch to another visa category, if eligible. This requirement ensures that the applicant does not intend to overstay their visa.
Applicants must provide a valid passport or travel document. The document should have at least one blank page for the visa and be valid for the entire duration of the intended stay in the UK.
If bringing dependents, applicants must provide proof of relationship, such as marriage certificates for spouses or birth certificates for children. This ensures the dependents are eligible to accompany the main applicant.
Applicants must show they have enough money to support themselves while in the UK without recourse to public funds. This typically means having at least ÂŖ1,270 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the application.
If the sponsor charity is A-rated, they can certify maintenance on the applicant's CoS, which means the applicant does not need to show personal savings. This certification must be clearly indicated on the CoS.
There is no specific English language requirement for the Charity Worker visa. However, applicants should have a basic understanding of English to perform their duties effectively.
Applicants from certain countries must provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if they are coming to the UK for more than 6 months. The test must be conducted at a clinic approved by the Home Office.
Applicants may need to provide a criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. This requirement ensures the applicant does not have a criminal history that would make them unsuitable for entry to the UK.
Applicants should provide evidence of where they will stay in the UK, such as a letter from the charity offering accommodation or a rental agreement. This ensures the applicant has a stable place to live during their stay.
Applicants must provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph, as part of the application process. This is typically done at a visa application centre.
Disclaimer: We are not immigration advisors. For professional immigration advice, consult a qualified immigration lawyer or OISC-registered advisor.
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