Temporary worker and short term worker visas are designed for individuals who wish to work in the UK for short periods of time. They cover a variety of sub-categories such as charity work, creative work, religious work, and more.

Short term work assignments can be offered by registered sponsors or charities within the UK looking to fill short term temporary roles, or to fulfil specific government-approved work.

What is a UK Temporary Worker visa?

A UK short term worker visa enables individuals to come to the country for a short-term job, such as work experience, training, seasonal work, or jobs in creative industries. Workers and sponsors under this visa type must adhere to strict conditions set by the UK Home Office, and are designed to support specific UK labour and cultural needs.

Unlike the Skilled Worker visa and similar routes, the Temporary Work visa does not lead to indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Who can apply for a Temporary Work visa?

To apply for a temporary worker visa, individuals must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor, as well as meeting the financial requirements and satisfying specific criteria for the visa sub-category they are applying for.

Essentially, applicants cannot apply independently, and must have a valid job offer or approved placement first. The certificate of sponsorship will include vital details regarding start and end dates, relevant sector, and the name of your approved sponsor.

For information regarding whether you can apply for a temporary work visa, and expert support with your application, speak to a UK-inbound visa specialist.

The types of Temporary Work visas in the UK

The different types of temporary worker visas in the UK are designed for charities, creative, religious and seasonal workers:

Charity Worker visa - A visa type for those undertaking unpaid voluntary work. This must be for a UK registered charity.
Creative Worker visa - For creative professionals who have been sponsored for short-term work in the UK’s arts, culture and entertainment industries. This covers everything from performers, technicians and support staff.
Government Authorised Exchange visa - Designed for work experience/internships, research through an approved exchange scheme, or training for a maximum of 12 or 24 months.
International Agreement visa - Allows overseas workers to come to the UK for work covered by international law or treaty up to 2 years. This is for roles such as embassy staff or employees of the United Nations, for example.
Religious Worker visa - Covers workers undertaking non-pastoral religious works. This may be general administrative work for religious activities, or community work. Note: To come to the UK as a minister of religion, there is a separate, dedicated visa route.
Seasonal Worker visa - Highly specific subcategory of temporary work designed to address short-term labour shortages during peak periods in sectors like agriculture. This is specifically to focus on the horticulture and poultry production sectors.

Temporary Work visa requirements

The primary requirements for a temporary work visa are as follows:

Certificate of Sponsorship - You must be employed by a licensed sponsor who provides you with a CoS and a reference number.
Identity - You will need to prove your identity with a passport or another similar document.
Financial capacity/support - Typically, you’ll need to prove that you have a minimum of £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 days consecutively.
Biometric information - You may have to attend a visa application centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph.

There are also a number of other potential requirements, depending on the desired visa type and other personal factors:

Job requirements - Your job role must be one which falls under the requirements for sponsorship, and be paid at least the national minimum wage (excluding charity work).
Proof of relationship - For children, partners, or other dependents, proof of relationship must be provided.
Other visa-specific considerations - Some roles may require extra documentation or capabilities, such research involving sensitive subjects requiring Academic Technology Approval Scheme certification.

Latitude Law can help you collate all of your required documents and fees, drastically increasing your chances of a successful visa application first time.

How much does it cost to get a UK Temporary Work visa?

The standard cost for a UK temporary work visa application is £319, as well as a £19.20 charge for a biometric appointment on top.

You may also have to pay an annual immigration health surcharge, which is currently £1,035 per year (although many short term roles are exempt), and prove you have £1,270.

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How to apply for a Temporary Worker visa

You need to apply for a temporary worker visa through the UK government website. As there are multiple types of temporary work visas for the UK, you’ll need to ensure you’re applying for the correct route first.

During the application process, you’ll be asked for a variety of personal information, documents, proof of funds, identity documents, and more. This can be difficult, and failure to provide the correct information and include strong supporting information can significantly harm your chances of success.

Given that you’re required to pay application fees each time you apply, we’d recommend working with UK-inbound immigration specialists to increase your chances of a successful application, saving you time and money.

What documents do you need to apply for a UK Temporary Work visa?

To apply for a UK temporary work visa, you’ll need to prepare the following documents:

Certificate of Sponsorship - Your employer will provide you with a reference number containing information about you and your role.
Passport or identity document
Proof of funds - Proof of at least £1,270 in your bank account.
Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)
Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)

How long can you stay in the UK on a Temporary Work visa?

The length of a UK temporary work visa varies depending on your role and visa route, but the maximum term is generally 12 - 24 months. You are able to enter the UK up to 14 days before your job starts.

For some temporary visas, such as the seasonal worker visa, the maximum duration is 6 months, or the duration of the season.

Can you extend a Temporary Work visa?

Temporary work visas may be extended depending on the visa type and if there is still a suitable job role available. You must apply for an extension online before your current visa expires, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria.

Secure a Short Term Worker visa with Latitude Law

There are multiple types of short term worker visa, each with its own confusing requirements, documentation and financial needs.

At Latitude Law, we know how important a successful application can be. Our expertise in UK-inbound immigration allows us to help you achieve this, first time around.

With a driven immigration specialist team, we understand the complexity of each type of short term work visa, and provide up to the minute advice as to how to optimise your application for the highest possible chance of success.

FAQs about Temporary Worker/Short Term Work visas

Do Temporary Work visas require you to meet an English language requirement?

Whether or not your temporary visa application requires the English language requirement depends on the specific visa type and your own personal circumstances. Most routes such as charity, creative, government authorised exchange and seasonal worker, do not require English language proficiency.

Can family members come to the UK as dependants on a Temporary Worker visa?

Yes, family members such as children under 18 and partners can come to the UK as dependants on many temporary visas. You will need to provide evidence of a genuine relationship and each dependent must meet financial requirements.

Can you switch from a Temporary Work visa to another visa route?

You can switch from most temporary work visas to different visa routes, usually longer term visa routes (such as a skilled worker visa). However, you cannot switch from a seasonal worker visa, or a domestic worker visa, to a long term route. You must instead leave the country and reapply for a new reason.

Does the time on a Temporary Work visa count towards settlement?

The time on most temporary work visas does not count towards settlement, as they are only designed for short term stays in the UK. However, the time spent on temporary visas can count towards a long-residence settlement application, for those who have lived legally in the UK for 10 years or more.

UK Temporary Worker and Short Term Work Visa

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