Applying to work in the UK
Are you looking to work in the UK? Getting a visa to work in the UK can be a complicated process, but our immigration lawyers are experts in processing visas across all employment categories. We can help you.
The Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa allows people to come to the UK to do voluntary work. If successful in their visa application, the charity worker can work in the UK for up to 12 months, or for the length of time stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, depending on whichever is shorter.
There are strict eligibility requirements to qualify for the Charity Worker visa, including a sponsorship certificate from a licensed employer, so it may not be a suitable route for everyone who wants to undertake charity work in the UK.
The requirements for this visa are complex, so you should seek advice from an immigration specialist before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you on all routes available for temporary workers and ensure that the conditions of your charity work are suitable to meet the immigration rules.
To be eligible to apply under the Charity Worker visa, applicants must:
Your work must be unpaid voluntary work that directly contributes to the charitable purpose of your sponsor organisation for you to be eligible for this type of Temporary Worker visa. This includes activities that would not usually be paid jobs, and which help to achieve or advance your sponsor’s charitable purpose. If you need more information about eligible charity work, speak to our experts today.
You can make an application for a Charity Worker visa online. As part of the application, the applicant will need to prove their identity and provide specific additional documents.
Applicants must have:
Because of the complicated eligibility requirements and paperwork that is needed to apply for a temporary worker visa, it is usually best to speak to specialist immigration lawyers who can guide your efforts and offer you the best chance of success.
The expert solicitors at Latitude Law can provide expert advice on all aspects of Charity Worker visa applications. We can provide detailed guidance about the requirements or prepare the entire application alongside a detailed representation document explaining how the relevant rules are met.
Latitude Law has significant experience of preparing successful Charity Worker visa applications.
Thanks to our extensive knowledge of immigration rules, we are able to provide pragmatic advice and meet our clients’ needs. We have connections with the Home Office and other immigration authorities so we can advise you with confidence and ensure the entire immigration procedure runs smoothly and efficiently for you.
Working with a law firm can be a big decision, which is why we ensure that our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We are a highly driven team that is dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice.
As a boutique law firm specialising in UK-inbound immigration, our experts understand the complexity and uncertainty that constantly shifting visa and residence policies create for charity workers looking to work in the UK. Our lawyers can provide up-to-the-minute legal advice on how any changes will impact your application.
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As the requirements for a Charity Worker visa are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that the conditions of your voluntary work are compliant with the very latest immigration rules.
Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.
The Charity Worker visa is a category of UK Temporary Worker visas specifically designed for people who wish to come to the UK to undertake voluntary work in the charitable sector. This visa allows for a stay of up to 12 months, or the period stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus an additional 14 days, whichever is shorter.
It is essential to understand that this visa does not permit paid employment and is solely for unpaid voluntary work that contributes to the charity’s purpose. The work done must be directly related to the advancement or achievement of the sponsoring organisation’s charitable aims. This visa does not lead to settlement in the UK, but it provides an opportunity for those to support and contribute to UK charities temporarily.
The costs involved in applying for a Charity Worker visa include:
You may be exempt from the latter condition if your employer is able to provide the funds to cover your stay in the UK for your first month.
Once you have submitted your application, proven your identity and provided your documents, a decision will usually be made within three weeks if you’re outside the UK, or eight weeks if you’re inside the UK. It can sometimes take time to prepare the documents you need, so you should contact us as soon as possible if you have plans to work in the UK, even if you don't yet have a start date.
The Charity Worker visa does not provide a path to settlement. The charity worker may be eligible to extend their stay in the UK. However, the maximum amount of time for which they can stay in the UK is limited to 12 months, or the time on their Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You cannot apply for a Charity Worker visa if you have held one within the last 12 months. For this reason, this type of visa is not suitable if you have been offered a permanent job in the UK.
A charity worker can be joined by their spouse/partner and any dependant children under the age of 18, provided that they are able to meet the relationship and financial requirements.
Each dependent must have a certain amount of personal savings to support themselves while in the UK. These funds are required to prove that they can be maintained during their stay without requiring public funds.
The types of charitable activities that qualify for a Charity Worker visa in the UK are strictly unpaid voluntary work roles that directly contribute to the charitable aims of the sponsoring organisation. These activities must not replace paid positions and should typically be roles that would not normally be filled by a paid worker. The work carried out must be directly related to the charity’s stated purpose, such as providing relief to the impoverished, advancing education, promoting health, saving lives, or any other activities deemed charitable under UK law. It is important that the voluntary work aligns with the sponsor’s registered charitable activities and is detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Generally, you cannot switch to a Charity Worker visa from another immigration category while you are inside the UK. This visa must be applied for from outside the UK unless you are already in the UK under a different category of the Temporary Worker visa and are applying to continue your stay for the same job with the same sponsor. Seek legal advice from our immigration experts to understand the current regulations and to confirm your eligibility to switch categories within the UK.
The Charity Worker visa UK does not lead to permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain). This visa category is for temporary work and is granted for a period of up to 12 months or the duration of the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days - whichever is shorter. It is specifically designed for those who intend to undertake unpaid voluntary work related to a charity’s objectives and is not a route that counts towards settlement.
If your Charity Worker visa application is rejected, you will receive a notice from the UK Home Office outlining the reasons for the refusal. It is important to carefully review the refusal notice to understand the grounds on which the application was denied. Depending on the reason for rejection, you may have the right to an administrative review if you believe there has been a case working error. If there is new information or changes in circumstances, or if the initial application was incomplete, you may be able to apply again. However, you will need to pay the application fee again, and it is advisable to address the reasons for the initial refusal in the new application.
If you find yourself in this situation, call us as soon as possible and we will help you to assess your options and take the necessary action.
The charity worker route was renamed to the 'Temporary Work - Charity Worker visa', replacing the former 'Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5)'​. The update was more of a rebranding of the visa rather than a change in its fundamental purpose or requirements.
However, it was updated to reflect changes to the UK's immigration rules on 12th April 2023​. These updates have made some minor amendments and clarifications. It is recommended for individuals or organisations involved in the application process to seek professional legal advice to fully understand the changes and what mean for your circumstances.
You can extend your Charity Worker visa, provided that you have not stayed in the UK as a Charity Worker for 12 months. If successful, you will be granted permission to stay for the length of time stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, or the difference between the period you have already spent in the UK as a Charity Worker and 12 months.
Are you looking to work in the UK? Getting a visa to work in the UK can be a complicated process, but our immigration lawyers are experts in processing visas across all employment categories. We can help you.
A Skilled Worker visa is available for skilled workers of all nationalities that have been offered a position from an eligible UK company who is a registered sponsor. This route can lead to settlement and applicants can be joined by dependent partners and children.
Whether you’re looking to apply for the first time or aiming to renew your partner visa, Latitude Law is well placed to help you secure the right to live with your family member in the UK.
Mr Malekzada04/2024Successful visa application for wife of British citizen
"Latitude Law is the best immigration law firm that I have ever come across. The quality of service & professionalism from Natasha, Alexandra & Anna is out of this world. They invested time to make sure the application was successful & I received the decision exceptionally quickly. I can't thank them enough. If you are looking for an immigration firm to deal with your visa, Latitude Law is the best ever. Special thanks to Mr Gary - star of the immigration world!"
Ms B02/2024Complex British citizenship application
"Many thanks to the amazing Latitude Law team, especially Gary McIndoe and Anna Sullivan, for expertly handling my passport application. Mine was a very complicated and multi-faceted case, but thanks to the wonderful Latitude Law, I succeeded in getting my passport in a timely manner and would definitely recommend Latitude Law for any immigration or citizenship matters. When working with them, you can rest assured that you are in good hands."
Mr Tom F01/2024Secured settled status
"I would like to thank Jessica Lee and Natasha Willett for their excellent work over the last couple of years. They have helped me secure permanent residence status in the UK and their professionalism has been second to none throughout the process. What really impressed me is that they were prepared to go the proverbial extra mile to achieve the desired result for me. They have been incredibly supportive and easy to work with. Needless to say, I can highly recommend this law firm and would definitely go back to them should I ever need legal advice again."
