What is UK Charity Worker Visa? Requirements & How To Apply?

The UK Charity Worker Visa enables individuals with a job offer to undertake voluntary work in the UK for up to 12 months. While this visa is not a route to permanent residency, your spouse or partner and children under 18 can join you as dependents.

Duration of Stay

If you are granted a UK Charity Worker Visa, you can stay in the UK for up to 12 months, or 14 days beyond the duration specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), whichever is shorter. Additionally, you are permitted to enter the UK up to 14 days before your charitable role starts.

Permitted Activities

As a holder of the Charity Worker Visa, you can:

• Engage in the voluntary work specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study in the UK.
• Take on a second job in the same sector as your primary role.
• Bring your spouse/partner and children to the UK as dependents.

However, you are not allowed to:

• Receive payment for your work.
• Access public funds, such as universal credit or other state benefits.
• Take on a permanent job.

What is a Charity Worker Visa?

To qualify for the Charity Worker Visa, your work must meet specific criteria:

1. Voluntary Nature: The work should directly support your sponsor’s charitable mission and be unpaid. It should involve hands-on activities that are typically not offered as paid roles. Support roles like administrative, retail, or fundraising work do not qualify.
2. Compensation for Costs Only: You may only receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses directly related to your charitable duties.
3. Temporary Nature: You cannot fill a role that is required on a permanent basis, even temporarily.

General Requirements

To apply for a Temporary Work Charity Worker Visa, you must meet the following conditions:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• The charity work must meet specific requirements outlined by UK Visas & Immigration.
• You must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the role.
• You must genuinely intend and be able to perform the role for which you are being sponsored.
• You must meet the financial requirement.
• You must not have been granted a Religious Worker or Charity Worker Visa in the previous 12 months, unless you were outside the UK for that entire period.
• You must not fall under general grounds for visa refusal.
• If required, you must provide a tuberculosis (TB) certificate.

Your specific requirements may vary, so consulting an immigration lawyer for tailored advice is recommended.

Certificate of Sponsorship

To apply for the Temporary Work Charity Worker Visa, you need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a Home Office A-rated sponsor. This certificate must confirm that your role qualifies as voluntary work and that it hasn’t been used in a previous visa application. The CoS must be issued within three months of your application date and remain valid when you apply.

Financial Requirements

If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you must show proof of funds, demonstrating that you have at least £1,270 in savings for at least 28 consecutive days, within the 31 days prior to your application. Alternatively, your sponsor can confirm on your Certificate of Sponsorship that they will support you financially with at least £1,270 during your first month in the UK.

If applying with dependents, your spouse/partner must show £285, while £315 is required for one child and £200 for each additional child.

Benefits of the Visa

• Contribute to a meaningful cause by working with a UK charity.
• Gain valuable skills and international work experience.
• Build connections with other charity professionals and expand your global network.
• Help attract skilled and passionate volunteers from around the world.
• Explore the UK and possibly other parts of Europe during your stay.

Application Process

If you wish to apply for a Temporary Work Charity Worker Visa, you must submit your application from outside the UK, as entry clearance is required. You must not have been granted permission under this visa route or the Religious Worker Visa within the 12 months preceding your application, unless you can prove that you were not present in the UK during that time.

If needed, you will also need to provide a valid tuberculosis certificate. Applications for the Charity Worker Visa must be submitted online, and you will be required to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of the process.

The current application fee for the Temporary Work Charity Worker Visa is £244. If applying with dependents, each dependent must submit a separate application and pay the fee. However, the fee is automatically reduced by £55 for applicants from certain countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and others.

If you plan to extend your stay, you must apply before your current visa expires. Decisions are typically made within three weeks when applying from outside the UK.

How to Apply?

You Can apply by CLICKING HERE