Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa: Permitted Voluntary Activities in the UK

To qualify for the Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa under UK immigration rules, the voluntary work you intend to carry out must meet three essential criteria:

1. Direct Contribution to Charitable Objectives: The role must involve hands-on voluntary work that directly supports your sponsor organisation’s charitable aims. This typically refers to unpaid field-based activities and excludes roles commonly associated with paid employment such as administration, retail operations, or general fundraising tasks.

2. Unpaid Engagement: The position must be entirely unpaid, except for the reimbursement of reasonable expenses related to your duties, such as travel or meals.

3. Non-Substitution of Paid Labour: The role must not be filling a position that is usually required on a permanent basis, even temporarily. You cannot replace or cover for paid staff under this visa route.

Charity Worker Visa Sponsorship Requirements

To be eligible for the Charity Worker route under the Temporary Work visa category, applicants must obtain a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-approved ‘A-rated’ licensed organisation, unless extending their visa with the same employer.

This certificate must:

• Confirm that the voluntary role meets the specific eligibility criteria for charity work.

• Be unique and unused in any previous successful or unsuccessful visa applications.

• Be issued within three months before your application submission date.

• Remain valid (i.e., not withdrawn or revoked) at the time of your application.

Only sponsors authorised by the Home Office to operate under the Charity Worker route may issue such certificates.

Financial Requirements for the Charity Worker Visa

If you have not legally resided in the UK for at least 12 consecutive months before applying, you must demonstrate sufficient financial resources. Specifically, you must show that you have held at least £1,270 in savings for a minimum of 28 consecutive days, with the final date of that period falling within 31 days before your application.

Alternatively, your sponsor can certify on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will provide financial support and accommodation for your first month in the UK, covering at least £1,270.

For dependants, the additional financial thresholds are:

• £285 for a partner

• £315 for one dependent child

• £200 for each additional child

Application Process: Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visa

To apply for the Charity Worker visa, you must do so from outside the UK and be granted entry clearance prior to travel. Applicants are not eligible if they held permission under this or the Religious Worker route within the previous 12 months—unless they can prove they were not physically present in the UK during that time.

Where required, a valid tuberculosis certificate must also be included in your application.

Key Considerations for Your Charity Worker Visa Application

Applications for this visa are submitted online. You’ll be required to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge and the application fee, currently set at £244.

Each dependant must also submit an individual application and pay the fee separately.

Applicants from the following countries receive an automatic £55 reduction in fees:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, or Turkey.

To extend your visa, ensure you apply before your current permission expires. Applications are generally processed within 3 weeks when submitted from outside the UK.

What If My Charity Worker Visa Is Refused?

In the event your application is rejected, you may be eligible to request an Administrative Review or submit a new application. It is strongly recommended that you consult a qualified immigration advisor to explore your options.

Terms and Conditions of Stay

If your visa is approved, it will permit you to remain in the UK for up to 12 months, or the time stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus an additional 14 days, whichever is shorter. You may arrive in the UK up to 14 days before your scheduled start date.

Under this visa, you are only allowed to work in the role explicitly stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship. However, you may engage in additional voluntary work for other organisations, provided the nature of the work is the same as your sponsored role.

You are also permitted to study, although some academic programs may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

How Link And Day Lawyers Can Support You

At Link And Day Lawyers, our accomplished immigration barristers specialize in guiding individuals and businesses through the full spectrum of visa and immigration processes. With extensive expertise in securing visas for temporary workers, our team provides strategic and informed counsel tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

Navigating the ever-evolving policies and complex regulations set by the Home Office can be challenging but you don’t have to face it alone. Our barristers offer precise, up-to-date legal insight and work diligently to ensure your application meets the highest standard of compliance.

Renowned for our approachable, client-focused approach, we are committed to delivering responsive, professional, and transparent immigration support. Whether you’re applying for a temporary work visa or need advice on ongoing immigration matters, Link And Day Lawyers is your trusted partner in achieving a successful outcome.