UK Charity Worker Visa
In case the temporary charity work in the UK is your objective, you might qualify to receive the Charity Worker Visa. Learn about the requirements here.
When you need help submitting your Charity Worker Visa, call our expert immigration lawyers now on +2080162308.
In case the temporary charity work in the UK is your objective, you might qualify to receive the Charity Worker Visa. Learn about the requirements here.
When you need help submitting your Charity Worker Visa, call our expert immigration lawyers now on +2080162308.
What is the Charity Worker Visa?
The Charity Worker Visa is a subcategory of the Temporary Work Visa, offered by the UK government to individuals who wish to undertake voluntary (unpaid) work with a registered charity organization in the UK.
You can live in the UK for up to 11 months with this visa, or the number of days specified in your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), whichever is shorter. To extend your stay or have paid work, you will need to apply using a different work visa route.
While in the UK on a Charity Worker Visa, you are allowed to:
- Make charity work for your sponsor, unpaid
- Study
- Join a second position in the same field as the first one or in a work included in the Immigration Salary List without another visa
There are however, limitations:
- No work can be paid to you
- You cannot accept an indefinite employment
- You cannot lay have to a public fund
This visa is solely offered to do unpaid and short-term charitable work and cannot be used as permanent residence or long-term employment.
In order to apply for a Charity Worker Visa you need to be performing some unpaid volunteer activities within the UK. This is according to UK immigration regulations as the following:
Activities which would not otherwise be provided at waged or salaried rate and which are directly relevant to the realization or progress of the charitable purpose of the sponsor.
The charity work may not involve working in:
- Administration
- Retail
- Fund-raising
- The upkeep of the charity offices or other property of the charity
Eligibility Criteria
In addition to satisfying the above work requirements, you need to satisfy a number of requirements in order to be eligible to have this visa; you must:
- Be above 18 years old
- Have a certificate of sponsorship with a charity with a valid UK Sponsor Licence
- Be able to support yourself thoroughly in the UK
- Make sure that you have a minimum of 1,270 of personal savings in the bank account
In addition to your Charity Worker Visa application, the Home Office will also require you to provide a portfolio of evidence by way of a number of documents to ensure that you are able to satisfy the requirements of the Charity Worker Visa.
Documents you need to apply as a Charity Worker Visa are as follows:
- A passport or a national identity document
- Reference number of sponsorship certificate issued in your name
- Bank statements showing that you have sufficient money to maintain yourself in the UK
- The results of your tuberculosis tests where you are travelling to a country where such testing is obligatory
In the event that you have any dependant relatives with whom you wish to enter the UK on the Charity Worker visa, you also should provide documentation evidencing these relationships, like:
- Marriage certificates
- Birth records of children
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Your partner and children can join or stay with you in the UK as your dependents if they meet the eligibility requirements. Dependants include your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (you must have been in a relationship for at least 2 years), and children under 18 (or over 18 if already in the UK as your dependent).
Each family member must apply separately, either from outside or inside the UK, using your application number (GWF or UAN). They must also prove their identity, either through the UK Immigration ID Check app or at a visa centre. If their application is approved, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours.
Dependants must show they have enough money to support themselves: £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child. This money must have been available for 28 days in a row unless you’ve all been in the UK for 12+ months or your employer agrees to cover these costs (stated on your certificate of sponsorship).
If a child is born in the UK during your stay, they won’t automatically be a British citizen. You must apply for their visa if you plan to travel or want them to stay.
Your dependents can work (except as a sportsperson or coach), study, and travel in and out of the UK, but they cannot access public funds or the State Pension. If applying from inside the UK, they must not travel abroad until a decision is made. Decisions typically take 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK), and faster processing may be available.
You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before your job start date in the UK, as listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
As part of the process, you’ll need to prove your identity and submit required documents. If you need an appointment for this, it may take extra time you’ll find out during the application process.
Once you’ve completed everything:
- If you’re outside the UK, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks
- If you’re inside the UK, it usually takes 8 weeks
In some cases, you may pay extra for a faster decision.
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As the part of an application process, applicants (main visa holders and their dependants) are expected to pay:
- The fee of a visa application
- The annual immigration health surcharge
When doing this, we also require evidence of adequate personal savings to prove the capability of supporting oneself (and any dependent) over the intended stay in the UK.
The exact amount will depend on personal situations and is subject to verification on application.
You can:
- Study (certain courses will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate)
- Work on your sponsor under the job on your Certificate of Sponsorship
- Work up to 20 hours per week at a second job in the same field in the same level
- Include your spouses and children, provided they qualify to do so
You cannot:
- Be paid to do work more than is permitted
- Get a permanent job in the UK
To claim on the state (benefits or state support)
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What We Offer
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we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
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Applying for a UK visa can be a complex and overwhelming process, especially when dealing with detailed immigration requirements. At ISUK, our goal is to make your Charity Worker visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible. Our expert immigration lawyers have years of experience in UK immigration law and are well-equipped to handle every aspect of your application with precision and care.
We begin by assessing your eligibility for the Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa, ensuring you meet all the necessary requirements before proceeding. Our team will review your documents, offer clear advice on what is needed, and help you gather everything required for a successful submission. We will then prepare and submit a well-structured application to the Home Office, minimizing the risk of delays or refusals due to errors or missing information.
If, for any reason, you are not eligible for the Charity Worker visa, we will explore alternative temporary work visa options that may better suit your situation. With our professional guidance and legal support, you can feel confident that your case is in safe hands and that you have the best possible chance of success.
To get started, contact us today at 0330 828 4145 or use our online form to speak with one of our friendly immigration experts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UK Charity Worker visa?
Charity Worker visa is a sub visa of the UK Temporary Work visa. It enables the persons to enter the UK and perform voluntary work unpaid to a licensed UK charity up to 12 months, or as referenced on their Certificate of Sponsorship together with 14 days, whichever is less.
Is it possible to be paid or get an indefinite job while on a Charity Worker visa?
No, you cannot receive payment under this visa concerning all the work you do in the UK. You are also not allowed to accept a permanent post or receive any public funds. The purpose of this visa is merely temporary and unpaid charitable work.
Can I work or study a second job when having a Charity Worker visa?
Of course you can study and have a second job, but it must be in the same line and at the same level as compared to your primary job or there must be a second job in the Immigration Salary List. This does not require a second visa.
Are my partner and children able to come with me to the UK under Charity Worker?
Yes, your partner and children can apply to accompany you as dependants as long as they fulfill the eligibility criteria. Every member of the family has to submit an individual application, either internally or abroad, proving their connectivity and maintenance.
How soon can a decision be obtained regarding a Charity Worker visa?
After applying online, proving your identity, and sending your documents, you should typically get a decision:
- Within 3 weeks (if you applied outside the UK)
Within 8 weeks (if you applied inside the UK)
A quicker decision can be ordered at an additional cost.
What are the ways ISUK can assist me with my Charity Worker visa?
ISUK expert immigration lawyers may guide you through the application process. We:
- Verify your eligibility
- Edit your papers
- Submit a coherent, mistake-free census of your application
In case you do not qualify for a Charity Worker visa, we can assist you with the other types of visas that might apply to your case.
