UK Charity Worker Visa
UK Temporary Work Charity Worker Visa
Specialist Legal Guidance for Charitable Assignments
If you plan to come to the United Kingdom to volunteer for a registered charity, you may qualify for the Charity Worker Visa. This route allows overseas nationals to carry out unpaid charitable work that supports a charity’s objectives.
For professional help with your application, contact Immigration Solicitors UK on +44 2080 162308 or complete our online form.
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UK Temporary Work Charity Worker Visa
Specialist Legal Guidance for Charitable Assignments
If you plan to come to the United Kingdom to volunteer for a registered charity, you may qualify for the Charity Worker Visa. This route allows overseas nationals to carry out unpaid charitable work that supports a charity’s objectives.
For professional help with your application, contact Immigration Solicitors UK on +44 2080 162308 or complete our online form.
Understanding the Charity Worker Visa
The Charity Worker Visa is part of the UK’s Appendix Temporary Work category. It allows individuals to undertake unpaid voluntary work that directly contributes to the charitable purpose of a licensed sponsor.
This visa is not for paid employment or permanent charity roles. It is intended for genuine volunteers whose work would not normally be carried out by a paid employee.
You can stay in the UK for up to 12 months or for the period stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days before the start date and 14 days after the end date, whichever is shorter.
To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed charity sponsor. The work you undertake must directly support the organisation’s charitable objectives and must not involve administrative, retail, or fund-raising duties that would normally be paid.
You must also have at least £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on your Certificate of Sponsorship. Applicants who have been lawfully in the UK for at least 12 months are exempt from this financial requirement.
You must not have held a Charity Worker or Religious Worker Visa within the previous 12 months unless you spent that time outside the UK. Where required, you should also provide a tuberculosis certificate.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor must hold a valid Temporary Work Charity Worker licence and issue your Certificate of Sponsorship within three months of your visa application. The certificate must confirm that your role is voluntary and unpaid and describe your duties, start and end dates, and how your work supports the charity’s mission.
Each Certificate of Sponsorship is a unique digital reference number and can only be used once.
Financial and Maintenance Requirements
You must show that you can support yourself during your stay in the UK, normally by providing bank statements showing at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days.
This requirement is waived if your A-rated sponsor certifies maintenance on your Certificate of Sponsorship or if you have already been in the UK for at least 12 months.
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For entry clearance applications made from outside the UK, the Home Office usually grants permission covering the period stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days before the start date and 14 days after the end date, creating a 28-day cushion.
The visa is normally valid for up to 12 months. You cannot extend beyond this or switch into this route from another visa category while in the UK.
Applications are usually decided within three weeks. Priority and Super Priority services may be available for an additional fee.
What You Can and Cannot Do
You can volunteer for your sponsoring charity in the role stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship. You may also study, provided this does not interfere with your charitable work. In some cases, you may take a second voluntary role in the same sector or in a role listed on the Immigration Salary List for up to 20 hours per week.
You cannot receive payment for any work, take a permanent or paid position, or access public funds or benefits.
Bringing Dependants
Your partner and dependent children under 18 may accompany you if they meet the eligibility and financial requirements. Each dependant must apply separately and will normally receive permission to stay in line with your visa.
Dependants must show they can support themselves financially: £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child. These funds must have been available for 28 consecutive days unless your sponsor agrees to cover the costs or the family has already been in the UK for at least 12 months.
Dependants can work (except as professional sportspersons or coaches), study, and travel freely while in the UK.
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From January 2026, most non-visa nationals including EU, US, and Australian citizens attending short unpaid charitable activities in the UK for under six months without sponsorship must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling.
This does not apply to Charity Worker Visa holders but is relevant for short visits under the Standard Visitor route.
Required Documents
When applying, you must provide your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, a valid passport with at least one blank page, and proof of your ability to support yourself or confirmation that your sponsor will do so. You may also need to include tuberculosis test results, marriage or birth certificates for dependants, and certified translations for any documents not in English or Welsh.
How Immigration Solicitors UK Can Help
Our immigration lawyers specialise in Temporary Work and Charity Worker applications, ensuring that every submission meets Home Office compliance standards.
We will confirm your eligibility under Appendix Temporary Work Charity Worker, review your Certificate of Sponsorship, prepare and submit your application, and provide tailored advice on dependants, maintenance, and future options.
If you do not qualify for the Charity Worker Visa, we can identify suitable alternative routes for you or your sponsoring charity. All Charity Worker cases are overseen by Rana Aslam Zia Khan, Director of Immigration Solicitors UK.
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For expert assistance with your Charity Worker Visa or to discuss sponsoring overseas volunteers, contact our immigration team today.
Call +44 2080 162308 or complete our online enquiry form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK Charity Worker Visa?
It allows overseas volunteers to carry out unpaid charitable work in the UK for up to 12 months under the sponsorship of a licensed charity.
Can I be paid while on this visa?
No. All work must be unpaid and voluntary.
Can I study or take a second role?
Yes, you may study and undertake a second voluntary role for up to 20 hours per week in the same sector or in a role listed on the Immigration Salary List.
Can my family join me?
Yes, your partner and dependent children can apply to join you if they meet the relationship and maintenance requirements.
How long does it take to get a decision?
Most applications are decided within three weeks after you have submitted biometrics and supporting documents.
