UK Charity Worker Visa

UK Temporary Worker Charity Visa (Formerly Tier 5 Charity Worker Visa)

The UK Charity Worker visa lets you come to the UK to do unpaid voluntary work for a licensed charity sponsor, usually for up to 12 months. The UK Temporary Worker Charity Worker visa allows individuals to travel to the UK to undertake voluntary work for a registered UK charity. This visa is intended for unpaid voluntary roles and does not permit paid work. It is a short-term visa under the Temporary Worker route and does not lead to settlement in the UK.

Key takeaways

• The UK Charity Worker visa lets you come to do unpaid voluntary work for a licensed charity sponsor, usually for up to 12 months, and it does not lead to settlement.
• You must be 18 or over, hold a Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office licensed charity, and the work must relate to your sponsor's mission.
• You usually need at least £1,270 available, held for 28 consecutive days before you apply, unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance on the certificate of sponsorship.
• The role must be unpaid, though you can do a related second job of up to 20 hours per week in the same sector and at the same level.
• You can bring your partner and children as dependants if they are eligible, and you can apply to extend within the 12-month total cap.
• You cannot claim public funds or switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK on this visa.

What is the UK Temporary Worker Charity Worker Visa?

The UK Charity Worker visa is designed for individuals who want to come to the UK to carry out unpaid voluntary work with a UK charitable organisation. The visa is temporary, and applicants must have a confirmed certificate of sponsorship from a registered UK charity before applying. The work you do must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

This visa does not allow paid employment or activities that a salaried worker would otherwise fill.

Who Can Apply for a UK Charity Worker Visa?

To be eligible, you must:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK charity registered as a Home Office licensed sponsor.
• Be coming to the UK to do voluntary work that directly contributes to the charity's mission.
• Have enough money to support yourself: You usually need at least £1,270 available, held for 28 consecutive days before you apply, unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance on your certificate of sponsorship.
• Be able to prove your intention to leave the UK after your visa expires.

You cannot get this visa if you were given a Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa in the past 12 months, unless you can prove you were outside the UK for the whole of that time.

This visa is not for:

• Paid employment, even if with a charity.
• Internships or work experience placements.
• Long-term voluntary work leading to permanent residence.

How Long Can You Stay on a UK Charity Worker Visa?

• The visa is valid for up to 12 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
• You can enter the UK up to 14 days before your job starts.
• You can apply to extend from inside the UK, but your total stay on this route cannot exceed 12 months (or the CoS time plus 14 days), so an extension only applies within that overall limit.
• You must leave the UK when your visa expires, unless you are eligible to switch to another visa type.

What You Can and Cannot Do on a UK Charity Worker Visa

You can:

• Volunteer for a UK registered charity in an unpaid role.
• Do a second job of up to 20 hours per week, in the same sector and at the same level as your main role.
• Study, although some courses need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
• Travel in and out of the UK during your visa period.
• Bring your partner and children as dependants, if they are eligible.

You cannot:

• Receive any payment or financial compensation for your work.
• Take a permanent job or any paid employment, even within a charity.
• Claim public funds or benefits.
• Stay beyond the 12-month cap, or switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK on this visa.

Sponsorship Requirements for UK Charities

Your UK charity employer must:

• Be registered as a licensed sponsor with the Home Office.
• Assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you apply. The certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned.
• Ensure that your role is unpaid and voluntary.
• Fulfil sponsorship duties, including reporting changes in your role.

Charities that offer paid roles for international workers should use the Skilled Worker visa route instead.

Required Documents for a UK Charity Worker Visa

To apply for a Charity Worker visa for the UK, you must provide:

• A valid passport (with at least one blank page).
• The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from your UK sponsor.
• Bank statements or financial proof to show you can support yourself.
• A TB test certificate, if required for your country.
• Proof of your relationship, if your partner or children apply with you.

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation.

How to Apply for a UK Charity Worker Visa

Step 1: Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Your UK charity assigns a CoS before you apply. The certificate is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned, and you can apply up to 3 months before your start date.

Step 2: Check if You Can Use the UK Immigration: ID Check App

Some applicants do not need to attend a visa application centre and can verify their identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

You can use the app if:

• You are applying from outside the UK.
• You hold a biometric passport from an eligible country.

If eligible, you will be prompted to use the app during the online application process.

Step 3: Apply Online

• Complete your application through the official UK government website.
• Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

Step 4: Verify Your Identity

If you cannot use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you must book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to:

• Provide fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information).
• Submit any additional required documents.

Step 5: Await a Decision

• Standard processing time: 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK.
• A faster decision may be available for an extra fee. This fee is set by the Home Office, so check the current amount on GOV.UK before you apply.

Once approved, you will receive an eVisa.

UK Charity Worker Visa Fees and Costs

• Visa application fee: £340 for each person applying.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): usually £1,035 per year.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee: paid by the UK employer, £55 per worker.
• The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) does not apply to this visa.

Home Office fees can change, so check the current amounts on GOV.UK before you apply.

How Immtell Can Help

Applying for a UK Charity Worker visa requires careful preparation to meet Home Office requirements. Immtell provides expert support to help:

• UK charities obtain a Temporary Worker sponsor licence.
• Charity workers complete their visa application accurately.
• Charities check that roles meet Home Office eligibility requirements.
• Volunteers and sponsors with visa compliance and legal support.

Secure Your Charity Worker Visa for the UK

Get expert guidance for your UK Charity Worker visa application and give both volunteers and sponsoring charities a clear, well-prepared process.

Book a Paid Consultation | About Immtell

We check this guide against the official GOV.UK Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work) guidance. Last reviewed 22 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you extend a UK Charity Worker visa?

You can apply to extend the visa from inside the UK, but your total stay on this route cannot be more than 12 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

How much money do you need for a UK Charity Worker visa?

You usually need at least £1,270 available, held for 28 consecutive days before you apply, unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance on your certificate of sponsorship.

Can you bring family on a UK Charity Worker visa?

Yes. Your partner and children can apply as your dependants if they are eligible, and their visas usually end on the same date as yours.

Is the UK Charity Worker visa paid?

No. The route is for unpaid voluntary work only. You cannot receive payment or take a permanent job, though you can do a related second job of up to 20 hours per week in the same sector and at the same level.

How long does a UK Charity Worker visa take?

You usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK. A faster decision may be available for an extra Home Office fee.