Temporary Work - Charity Worker visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Temporary Work - Charity Worker visa
Stay Length	Up to 12 months
Application Fee	£340 per person
Healthcare Surcharge	Usually £1,035 per year
When to Apply	Up to 3 months before start
Decision Time (Outside UK)	Usually 3 weeks
Decision Time (Inside UK)	Usually 8 weeks
Work Rights	Unpaid voluntary charity work only
Study Rights	Permitted (ATAS certificate may be required)
Travel Facility	Enter up to 14 days before
Family Sponsorship	Eligible partner and children permitted
Financial Requirement	At least £1,270 in personal savings
Sponsorship Requirement	Certificate of sponsorship from licensed employer
Public Funds Access	Not permitted
Citizenship Pathway	Not stated in the source

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Purpose and Overview

The Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work) allows individuals to undertake unpaid voluntary work for an approved charity in the UK. This route replaces the previous Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5).

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this visa, you must:

• Be aged 18 or older at the time of application.
• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from a UK licensed sponsor. The work must directly relate to the sponsor organization's work and comply with UK employment law.
• Have at least £1,270 in personal savings, held continuously for at least 28 consecutive days (with day 28 falling within 31 days of application), unless:
  • You have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, or
  • Your sponsor certifies your maintenance on your CoS (up to £1,270 for your first month).
• Previous Visa Restriction: You cannot obtain this visa if you held a Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa in the previous 12 months, unless you can prove you were outside the UK for that entire period.

Length of Stay

• You can stay for up to 12 months, or the duration stated on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
• You are permitted to enter the UK up to 14 days before your job start date.
• If extending from inside the UK, you can extend up to the maximum 12-month limit (or CoS time plus 14 days).

Fees and Processing Times

Fees

• Application Fee: £340 per person (inside or outside the UK).
• Immigration Health Surcharge: Usually £1,035 per year.

Processing Times

• Outside the UK: Usually 3 weeks.
• Inside the UK (Extensions): Usually 8 weeks.
• Priority or faster decision services may be available for an additional fee.

Rights and Conditions

Permitted Activities

• Work for your sponsor in the role described in your certificate of sponsorship.
• Work a second job in the same sector and at the same level as your primary role for up to 20 hours per week.
• Study (an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate may be required for certain courses).
• Bring eligible dependants.

Prohibited Activities

• Receiving any payment for work.
• Taking a permanent job.
• Accessing public funds (benefits and State Pension).

Required Documents

• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship reference number (valid for 3 months from the date of assignment).
• A valid passport or travel document proving identity and nationality.
• Bank statements showing required savings (unless exempt or certified by your sponsor).
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applying from a required country).
• Proof of relationship for accompanying dependants.
• Certified translations for any documents not issued in English or Welsh.

Family Provisions (Dependants)

Eligible partners and children under 18 (or over 18 if currently in the UK as your dependant) can apply to join or stay with you. Visas granted will generally expire on the same date as the main applicant's visa.

Relationship Criteria

• Partner: Legally married, in a civil partnership, or living together in a relationship for at least 2 years (or proof of ongoing 2-year commitment if living apart is unavoidable).
• Children: Must live with you (unless in full-time education) and cannot be married or in a civil partnership.

Financial Requirements for Dependants

Additional savings must be held for 28 consecutive days:

• Partner: £285
• First child: £315
• Each additional child: £200

Note: Dependants are exempt from financial proof if all family members have lived in the UK on a valid visa for at least 12 months or if the sponsor certifies family maintenance.

Dependant Rights and Rules

• Dependants can work (except as a professional sportsperson or coach) and study.
• Children born in the UK do not automatically become British citizens; a dependant visa must be obtained for travel into and out of the UK.

How to Apply

1. Main Application: Apply online:
   • Apply from outside the UK (up to 3 months before your start date).
   • Apply to extend inside the UK (before your current visa expires).
2. Dependant Applications: Dependants must submit separate online applications referencing your Global Web Form (GWF) or Unique Application Number (UAN).
3. Identity Verification: Either scan identity documents using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) or UKVCAS service point to provide biometric information.

Important Warnings

• Travel Warning (In-UK Applicants): You must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man while waiting for an in-UK extension or switching decision. Doing so will automatically withdraw your application.
• No Paid Employment: Any form of remuneration or payment for work on this visa is strictly prohibited.