You are eligible to apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa if:

Key Features of the UK Charity Worker Visa:

• You are allowed to study and work for your sponsor as detailed in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• You can take a second job in the same sector for up to 20 hours per week. If the second job is in a different sector, it must be due to a shortage of UK workers.
• Your family members can travel to the UK with you on your Tier 5 Charity Worker Visa.

Restrictions:

• You must not receive payment for any work while you are in the UK on a Tier 5 Charity Worker Visa.
• You cannot take on a permanent job.
• You are not allowed to receive public funds, such as housing benefits.

Eligibility Criteria for the UK Charity Worker Visa

You are eligible to apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa if:

• You want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity.
• You meet the other eligibility requirements for this visa.
• This visa replaces the Temporary Worker – Charity Worker Visa (T5).

Criteria of Sponsorship

• You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer before you can apply to come or visit the UK for work purposes.
• The work you will do must be relevant to the work of your sponsoring organisation.

Duration

• You must apply for this visa no more than 3 months before your work starts in the UK. The start date can be found on your sponsorship letter.
• You will need to verify your identity and provide all necessary documents.
• If you need an appointment for extra time, you will be informed during the application process.

Getting a decision

The decision on your application will be given within the following timespans once you prove your identity, provide all requested documents, and fulfil all application criteria:

• 3 Weeks: If you’re applying from outside the UK.
• 8 Weeks: If you’re applying from inside the UK.

It typically takes longer to get a decision on Charity Worker visas when applying from outside the UK. If you need to attend an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision.

Application Process                                                                                            

• The application fee is required for each person applying.
• The fee is the same whether you are applying from within or outside the UK.

Duration of stay 

• You can stay in the UK for up to 12 months or the duration specified on your sponsorship certificate plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
• You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.