Charity Worker Visa

To qualify for this visa, applicants must:

1. Be 18 years or older
2. Ensure the charity work meets specified requirements
3. Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the role
4. Have a genuine intention and capability to undertake the sponsored role
5. Meet financial requirements
6. Not have had permission as a Religious Worker or Charity Worker in the previous 12 months (unless out of the UK throughout)
7. Avoid refusal under general grounds
8. Provide a TB certificate if necessary

The exact requirements may vary based on individual circumstances.

To qualify as charity work under the Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa, your planned activities must meet three specific criteria:

1. Direct Contribution to Charitable Purpose: Your work should involve voluntary fieldwork directly contributing to your sponsor’s charitable objectives. This encompasses activities typically not compensated with a wage or salary. Excluded are supportive roles like routine administrative, retail, or fundraising tasks.
2. Unpaid Nature (except for reasonable expenses): The work should not be remunerated unless it involves reasonable expenses necessary to fulfill your duties.
3. Non-Permanent Position: Your role, even if temporary, must not be a permanent position essential to the organization’s ongoing operations.

Ensure your proposed activities align with these criteria to meet the eligibility requirements for the Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa.

To be eligible for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa, you need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office ‘A-rated’ licensed sponsor, unless you’re applying to extend your work with the same employer. The sponsor must be authorized by the Home Office for the Charity Worker route.

The Certificate must confirm that your intended role meets the requirements for voluntary work and has not been previously used in a successful or unsuccessful application. It should have a start date within three months of your application and remain valid for three months from its assignment to you. Any withdrawal or cancellation of the Certificate after assignment will affect your application’s validity.

To qualify for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa, unless you’ve had permission to stay in the UK for over 12 months, you must demonstrate funds of at least £1,270 held continuously for 28 days within the last 31 days prior to your application. Alternatively, your sponsor can confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they’ll cover your maintenance and accommodation costs up to £1,270 until the end of your first month in the UK.

If you’re applying with dependants, they also need to prove their ability to support themselves. The financial requirements are £285 for your partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child.

“If you’re applying for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa, you must seek entry clearance from outside the UK. To be eligible, you should not have been granted permission under this route or the Religious Worker route within the 12 months preceding your application, unless you can prove your absence from the UK during that period. Additionally, a valid tuberculosis certificate may be required.

Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa applications are submitted online, and applicants are required to pay the healthcare surcharge. The current application fee stands at £244. If applying with dependants, each individual must complete a separate application and pay the fee separately. Notably, citizens of Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, or Turkey receive an automatic £55 reduction in the fee.

For those seeking an extension of their stay under the Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa, it’s important to apply before the current visa expires. Typically, decisions are reached within three weeks for applications submitted from outside the UK.”

A decision is typically made within three weeks for applications outside the UK. In case of refusal, applicants can seek Administrative Review or submit a fresh application.

Approved visas allow entry and stay for up to 12 months or as per the Certificate of Sponsorship, with a 14-day grace period. Working is restricted to the sponsored role, with volunteering permitted in the same capacity. Study is allowed, though certain courses may require additional approval.

Our team of immigration barristers specializes in assisting with visa applications, including those for temporary workers. We offer expert guidance through the complex Home Office rules and policies