The UK Charity Worker Visa lets people do volunteer work in the UK for up to 12 months. This means they can help out at charities and learn new skills.
Even though this visa doesn’t help you live in the UK forever, you can bring your partner and kids who are under 18 with you.
As per Last Stop Booking, if you get this visa, you can stay in the UK for one year and maybe a bit longer, based on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
You can enter the UK up to 14 days before you start your volunteer job.
What Visa Holders Can and Cannot Do
If you have this visa, you can do the volunteer work mentioned in your CoS. You can also get a second job in the same kind of work. But, remember, you won’t get paid for this work. You’ll only have your costs covered like food or travel.
You can’t get public money or have a permanent job while you’re in the UK with this visa.
Requirements for Getting the Visa
If you want this Charity Worker Visa, here’s what you need:
1. Your volunteer work should help the charity meet its goals.
2. You should only get money to cover your expenses, not as a salary.
3. The job should not be a role that needs someone forever.
To apply for a Temporary Work Charity Worker Visa, the UK Visas & Immigration department says you need to:
- Be 18 or older.
- Make sure your volunteer job meets the rules.
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for your role.
- Plan to do the job you are sponsored for.
- Have enough money saved.
- Not have a similar visa in the last year unless you were not in the UK.
- Be clear of reasons that can get your visa refused.
- Provide a tuberculosis certificate if needed.
Important Things to Remember
Last Stop Booking also says you need a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK sponsor with an A-rating for the Temporary Work Charity Worker Visa.
This certificate should show your role fits the volunteer work rules and must be issued within three months before you apply. It shouldn’t have been used in past applications.
You need to show you can support yourself financially unless you have lived in the UK for more than a year.
You must have at least £1,270 in your savings for 28 straight days before applying. Otherwise, your sponsor can promise financial support for you. Your family members should also meet financial requirements.
Benefits of the Visa
This visa helps you support good causes and gain valuable experience. Benefits include:
- Helping a UK charity and making a difference.
- Learning new skills and enhancing your resume with international experience.
- Meeting new friends who work in charities.
- Inviting talented volunteers from other countries.
- Visiting places in the UK and maybe other parts of Europe in your free time.
How to Apply
To apply for this visa, you must apply from outside the UK. You shouldn’t have had this type of visa or a Religious Worker visa in the last year, unless you were not in the UK at that time.
You might need a certificate to show you’re free of tuberculosis.
You apply for the visa online and pay a healthcare charge along with the visa fee of £244. Your family will need separate applications and fees.
Some countries like Austria and Belgium have discounted fees.
This visa has special rules and great benefits, so you can help charities while gaining worldwide experience.